Short communication, Note

The role of ecotourism sites: Transforming Chinese tourists’ behavior

Mingming Cheng ; Independent Information Consultant, Shanghai, P. R. China
Liping Wang ; Foreign Language College of Jinggangshan University Ji’an, P. R. China
Xiao Xu ; Freelancer, Shenzhen, P. R. China

Abstract

This study provides a timely update of some empirical findings of ecotourism experience in relation to Chinese tourists’ post-trip behaviors. Based on a qualitative research approach through in-depth interview with 28 Chinese domestic tourists, the authors show that Chinese tourists explicitly or implicitly have adapted environmentally friendly lifestyles after their ecotourism travel, although the level of their improvement is equivocal. The study further reveals the factors in contributing to such environmentally friendly lifestyle changes for Chinese domestic tourists, including perceived health benefits, traditional Chinese value, the interplay between different tourists, tourist themselves and locals and the conflict of interest between tourists and environment. The findings offer important potential lines of future research.

Keywords

ecotourism; domestic tourists; environmentally friendly; lifestyle; personal interest; China

Hrčak ID:

110917

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/110917

Publication date:

19.11.2013.

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