Factors Influencing the Conservation Intentions of Visitors to a World Heritage Site: A Case Study of Libo Karst

Haipeng Zhang, Kangning Xiong (), Guangyu Fei, Ao Jin and Shirong Zhang
Additional contact information
Haipeng Zhang: School of Karst Science, State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Kangning Xiong: School of Karst Science, State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Guangyu Fei: School of Karst Science, State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Ao Jin: School of Karst Science, State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Shirong Zhang: School of Karst Science, State Engineering Technology Institute for Karst Desertification Control, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-20

Abstract: The behavioral intention of tourists to protect the environment is a popular topic in tourism geography research. Understanding the mechanisms that influence the post-tour behavioral intentions of heritage site visitors can effectively promote the generation of positive behavioral intentions for the sustainable development of heritage sites. Starting from the “cognitive–emotional–behavioral” path of attitude theory, we introduced environmental knowledge awareness (EKA), geomorphological value perception (GVP), place attachment (PA) and behavioral intention (BI) variables to construct a model of the influence mechanism of tourists’ behavioral intentions towards conservation in heritage sites; we test this model on the Libo World Natural Heritage Site, a karst in southern China, as an example. The results show the following: (1) environmental knowledge awareness (EKA) is the basis of place attachment (PA) and behavioral intention (BI), and place attachment (PA) plays an influential mediating role. (2) Geomorphological value perception (GVP) has a positive effect on behavioral intention. (3) The “GEPB” conceptual model fits the “cognitive–emotional response–behavioral intention” chain of tourists in natural world heritage sites and passes the empirical test; (4) The direct positive effect of place attachment on behavioral intention is significant as an essential emotional factor that promotes behavioral intention. This study provides an empirical foundation for the synergistic development of conservation and tourism in World Heritage Karst Sites. It also discusses theoretical and managerial implications based on the findings and provides directions for future research.

Keywords: karst world heritage site; geomorphological value; conservation and tourism; synergy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/6/5370/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/6/5370/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:6:p:5370-:d:1100308

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().