Impact of environmental belief and nature-based destination image on ecotourism attitude

Abstract

PurposeThis study examines the direct and indirect impact of environmental belief, nature-based destination image and time perspective on tourist attitude towards ecotourism.Design/methodology/approachData was collected through a structured questionnaire survey conducted in Vietnam. The dataset consists of 479 valid responses by Vietnamese tourists. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to test the causal relationships among time perspective, environmental belief, nature-based destination and ecotourism attitude. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is conducted to verify the reliability and validity of each latent construct, and to evaluate the discriminant validity, convergent validity, composition reliability and average variance extracted (AVE) for the latent constructs.FindingsThis study finds statistically significant and positive effects of time perspective, environmental belief and nature-based destination image on ecotourism attitude. The results also indicate that environmental belief is found to have statistically significant effects both direct and indirect on ecotourism attitude; its indirect effect is transmitted through nature-based destination image. Our findings demonstrate empirically that tourists are mainly attracted by natural environment sites and that tourists having environmental beliefs are likely to engage in ecotourism than other types of tourism by first influencing their attitude.Research limitations/implicationsOne limitation is associated with our measurement method, which relies on respondents’ self-ratings of their activities. Second, our study is based on internal consistency assessments for establishing construct reliability and validity, which might be the problem of measurement misspecification in tourism research and hinder us to adequately capture the dynamic nature of the variables and the underlying relationships. Third, the survey is conducted in one specific ecotourism nation like Vietnam, and thus, the findings must also be explained in this case.Practical implicationsPolicymakers need to pay careful attention to the planning and conservation of local resources, as well as infrastructure, for ecotourism development. Moreover, the management of eco-site needs to maintain ecology properly, provide an authentic ecotourism experience to improve ecotourism destination. Otherwise, ecotourism operators should focus on marketing strategies to increase traditional and natural values and promote eco-friendly social standards for fostering demand.Originality/valueThis study examines an integrated model analyzing the impact of time perspective, environmental belief and nature-based destination on tourist attitude towards ecotourism. This study reveals the understanding of how individuals’ view towards belief in environment and location image, influences their attitude to engage in ecotourism. The study provides several implications for practice.

Environmentally responsible behavior of residents: impact of mindfulness, enjoyment of nature and sustainable attitude

“…However, this issue has been neglected in the literature. Most of the studies in the literature tested similar relationships from the tourists' perspective (Xu et al , 2020; Su et al , 2020; Liu et al , 2019; Thi Khanh and Phong, 2020). The attitude and behavior of residents of destinations on sustainability and environmental issues need to be exerted to govern the destinations more sustainably (Cheng et al , 2019; Hsu et al , 2020).…”

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“…Sikap ekowisata sendiri adalah kecenderungan psikologis secara pribadi untuk mengunjungi destinasi wisata bertema lingkungan hidup dengan tujuan untuk memberikan apresiasi serta berpartisipasi aktif memelihara lingkungan hidup dimaksud (Batubara, 2020;Khanh, 2020). Penelitian sebelumnya menemukan bahwa setelah mengunjungi destinasi ekowisata, wisatawan semakin menyadari akan pentingnya memelihara lingkungan hidup, serta menunjukkan dampak positif terhadap kesehatan mental dan kognitif wisatawan yang bersangkutan (Cheng et al, 2013).…”

Factors Affecting the Adoption of Photovoltaic Systems in Rural Areas of Poland

“…Nevertheless, it was also acknowledged that environmental concerns impact behavioural intention [19,20]. Additionally, Thi Khanh and Phong [21] noted that consumers' beliefs and awareness of the natural environment could create environmentally responsible behaviour.…”