Journal of Natural Environment

Do the demographic factors can predict pro-environmental behavior of ecotourists?

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Lorestan University

2 Forestry Department, Lorestan University

3 Ferdowsi University

4 University of malage

Abstract

In recent years, as environmental problems getting worse throughout the earth, popular and nature tourism destinations face challenges in preserving ecological and sustainability resources. Monitoring and managing these natural areas requires Pro-Environmental Behavior to minimize the harmful effects of human activities on the environment. However, these targeted actions namely pro-environmental behaviors, are frequently influenced by various factors. The purpose of this research is investigating the influence of socio-demographic factors (gender, marital status, age, education, income and occupation status, education and occupation of parent) on pro-environmental behaviors of ecotourists. The statistical population of the study includes all ecotourists of Shamkhal Nature Park and Ortokand Natural Forest Park in Khorasan Razavi province of Iran. After filling 760 questionnaires in summer and autumn of 2018 by face to face method, in accordance with the type of collected data and information, T-test and ANOVA were used for data analysis in SPSS 20 software. The results show that age, education, occupation, income, mother's education and father's job have significant effect on pro-environmental behaviors of ecotourists. Also the findings indicate that eemployed women and educated ecotourists with medium income, who have educated mothers and fathers with governmental jobs, are more environmental and doing more pro-environmental behaviors than other ecotourists.

Keywords

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Journal of Natural Environment
Volume 73, Issue 2
August 2020
Pages 369-382