The impact of human-induced environmental destruction on destination image perception and travel behaviour

Abstract

The study presented in this article provides a valuable insight into the impact of human-induced environmental destruction on the travel market’s image perceptions of a World Heritage-listed tourism icon: the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The study employs a pre-/post-experimental design to explore how tourists are likely to respond to the media hype surrounding the construction of a port terminal, known as the Abbot Point Project, which will inevitably have some perceived environmental consequence for the ecological sustainability of a section of the GBR. We measured the change in respondents’ image perceptions and travel intentions as a result of their exposure to information about the Abbott Point Project and explored how existing knowledge, past experience and demographic background may influence this change. The findings reveal a significant change in tourists’ perceptions concerning Australia’s conservation efforts towards the GBR, and consequently a change is noted in terms of the time frame in which tourists intend to visit the icon. The results of this study provide valuable information for destination managers responsible for marketing the GBR and other destinations subject to human-induced, and often controversial, environmental destruction.

The impact of knowledge, attitude, consumption values and destination image on tourists’ responsible environmental behaviour intention

“…Past studies confirmed stated that a positive destinations image contributes to the tourists' visit intention and played an important role in tourists' decision making (Chen & Tsai, 2007;Siti-Nabiha et al, 2008). Moreover, positive image perceptions towards natural tourism destinations would impact a subsequent change in conservational behavior (Salvatierra & Walters, 2015). Thus, destination image appropriately predicts future responsible environmental behavioral intentions (Lee & Gross, 2010;Luo & Deng, 2007).…”

Destination Image Analysis and Its Strategic Implications: A Literature Review From 1990 to 2019

“…Environmental damage and degradation can lead to negative travel experiences and perceptions, and thus impact tourists' revisitation. On the other hand, the authorities should effectively integrate resources to promote sustainable destinations based on trends, preferences, evaluations, and opinions from demand-side tourism (Salvatierra & Walters, 2015).…”

Neither fish nor fowl: Travelling across genres and disciplines through 21st century Australian Cli-Fi

“…This all makes Galleon a tourist in his own life, little better than the 'disaster tourists' hovering around Pitcairn Island in case it sinks in a sightseeing event organised by End of the World Touring (169). Travel literature calls this 'last chance' tourism' (Salvatierra & Walters 2017). Eloise describes him as a 'colonial reconnoitrer' (100) because he is a film auteur controlling every aspect of the production of immersive disaster films.…”

“…Whether TEXT Special Issue 56: RE-mapping Travel Writing in the 21 st Century eds Stefan Jatschka, Stephanie Green and Nigel Krauth, October 2019 8 advertising or novelistic stories, 'recipients' project themselves into the context because, in evolutionary terms, episodic memory is a survival mechanism relating to risk management. Indeed, travel marketing literature has a deep engagement with understanding the relationships between risk perception (financial, socio-psychological, health/physical) destination image (desirable, dangerous, dirty, disappearing) and revisit intention (Salvatierra & Walters 2017;Stylos et al 2016;Chew & Jahari 2014).…”