Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.37741/t.71.1.9
Environmental Attitude, Motivation, and Place Attachment in a Wildlife Park
Omolola Oluwakemi Ajayi
; School of Tourism and Hospitality, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg South Africa
Tembi Maloney Tichaawa
; School of Tourism and Hospitality, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg South Africa
Abstract
Despite the significance of motivation in understanding the behavior of tourists, its interconnectedness to environmental attitude and place attachment has been scarcely studied in nature-based tourism destinations, especially outside the western and Anglo western context. This study examined these constructs as individual variables as well as the inter-relationships that exist between them in the context of a wildlife park. Using a convenience sampling technique, 372 visitors were surveyed. It was revealed that visitors displayed more anthropocentric beliefs than ecologically favorable concerns. Their motivations centered on experiencing and appreciating nature, recreation, relaxation, and education which are some of the core goals of the establishment of such areas as wildlife parks. The levels of attachment to the destination were however mild. The results further revealed significant associations between the constructs. The partial mediating role of motivation in the relationship between environmental attitude and place attachment was also reported. Appropriate conclusions were drawn, and managerial implications were discussed.
Keywords
environmental attitude; motivation; nature-based tourism; place attachment; wildlife park
Hrčak ID:
294015
URI
Publication date:
20.2.2023.
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