Sociodemographic determinants of environmental attitude, environmental knowledge, emotional affinity and responsible behaviour among tourists: a case study of the Western Himalayas (Determinantes sociodemográficos de la actitud ambiental, el conocimiento ambiental, la afinidad emocional y la conducta responsable de los turistas: un estudio de caso del Himalaya occidental)

Abstract

Environment-nature discourse is characterized by significant variation in the drivers of environmental attitudes and perceptions, making it difficult to draw broad generalizations about their relevance for specific localities. This study attempts to determine the sociodemographic determinants of environmental knowledge, behavioural intention, emotion affinity and resultant responsible behaviour. The data from 400 samples were collected through the primary survey in tourist destination regions. A model was developed using the structural equation modelling approach to analyse the relationship between the variables. Results from the structural equation modelling indicate that behavioural intentions were the most robust predictor, followed by emotional affinity. Results also show that gender, age, education and average monthly income positively affect environmental knowledge and behavioural intention. The research provides an essential result with practical significance for environmental policymakers since it identifies specific environmental behaviour antecedents. One important message that emerges from the finding is that planners in the province must consider diversity issues (age, gender, education) when planning for infrastructural provisions, leisure and other related activities.