The influence of place attachment on the relationship between destination attractiveness and environmentally responsible behavior for island tourism in Penghu, Taiwan

Abstract

This study examines the causal relationships between place attachment, destination attractiveness and environmentally responsible behavior (ERB), and the mediating effect of place attachment. Four hundred and thirteen tourists were surveyed who had visited the Penghu islands, Taiwan. Structural Equation Modeling was used to determine the relationships among the variables and the mediating effects. Results show that the emotions and feelings (place attachment), which tourists have for Penghu, are positively associated with stronger ERB; the extent of attractiveness of island tourism as perceived by tourists is also positively associated with stronger ERB. A higher level of tourists’ destination attractiveness in regard to island tourism is associated with stronger place attachment; place attachment was found to exert a significant effect in mediating the relationship between destination attractiveness and ERB. The study shows that when island tourists are attracted by and are attached to the destination, they are more likely to exhibit ERB. The study pioneers the integration of all three factors in a sustainable tourism behavior model designed for tourists who stay one night or more at a destination, and tests the hypotheses for the first time in an Asian destination. Management implications and recommendations for the sustainable development of Penghu islands tourism are provided.

台湾澎湖岛屿旅游地区附属性对目的地吸引度和环境有责任性的行为之间的关系的影响

该研究讨论了地区附属性，目的地吸引度和环境有责任行为(ERB)之间的因果关系，和地区附属性的调解性结果。研究对413个参观过台湾澎湖岛的旅游者进行了问卷调查。结构化公式模型被用来决定可变因素和调解性结果之间的关系。结论显示旅游者对澎湖的情感和感觉（地区附属性）是和强有力的ERB成正比的；岛屿旅游的吸引力程度也是被旅游者认为与强有力的ERB成正比。关于岛屿旅游的旅游目的地更高层面的吸引度是和强有力的地区附属性相关的；地区附属性被发现对于调解目的地吸引力和ERB之间的关系有着重要的影响力。研究显示，当岛屿旅游者被目的地所吸引并建立情感依托时，他们更容易展出ERB。研究为在一个目的地住一晚或更多的旅游者设计的可持续性旅游行为模式中首先开拓出了三大因素的合并用法，并且第一次在一个亚洲目的地中测试这些假设。文章也提供了为澎湖岛屿旅游可持续发展的管理方法含义和建议。

Keywords:

• destination attractiveness
• place attachment
• environmentally responsible behavior
• Penghu

关键词:

• 目的地吸引度
• 地区附属性
• 对环境有责任的行为
• 澎湖

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tien-Ming Cheng

Tien-Ming Cheng is an associate professor of the Graduate Institute of Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality Management, National Chiayi University in Taiwan. His main research interests include sustainable tourism, marine tourism and leisure behavior.

Homer C. Wu

Homer C. Wu, the corresponding author, is a professor and director of the Graduate Program of Sustainable Tourism and Recreation Management, National Taichung University of Education in Taiwan. His main research interests include recreation and tourism management, especially in the fields of heritage interpretation, sustainable development for ecotourism, and environmental education.

Lo-Min Huang

Lo-Min Huang is an instructor on the Bachelor Degree Program of Sports, Health and Leisure, Kun Shan University in Taiwan. Her research interests relate to leisure management.