Sourath Mahar

The empirical research investigated the relationship between tourism development and environmental suitability to propose a framework for sustainable ecotourism. The framework suggested a balance between business and environmental interests in maintaining an ecological system with the moderating help of government support and policy interventions. The study population encompasses tourism stakeholders, including tourists, representatives from local communities, members of civil administration, hoteliers, and tour operators serving the areas. A total of 650 questionnaires were distributed to respondents, along with a brief description of key study variables to develop a better understanding. After verifying the instrument’s reliability and validity, data analysis was conducted via hierarchical regression. The study findings revealed that a substantial number of people perceive socio-economic benefits, including employment and business openings, infrastructure development from tourism development, and growth. However, the state of the natural and environmental capital was found to be gradually degrading. Alongside the social environment, social vulnerability is reported due to the overutilization of land, intrusion from external cultures, and pollution in air and water due to traffic congestion, accumulation of solid waste, sewage, and carbon emissions. The study suggested a model framework for the development of sustained ecotourism, including supportive government policy interventions to ensure effective conservation of environmental and natural resources without compromising the economic viability and social well-beings of the locals. Furthermore, the variables and the constructs researched can be replicated to other destinations to seek valuable inputs for sustainable destination management elsewhere.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to identify and investigate the determinants of “responsible tourism behavior” with a view to suggest policy implications contextualizing Pakistan. Research Methods: The quantitative research was structured to determine the prevailing levels of tourism behavior and its corresponding determinants as observed along the continuum between irresponsible and responsible tourism. Data was collected from 700 positively retrieved questionnaires out of the 800 self-administered questionnaire amongst respondents from the tourism stakeholders. The reliability and validity were checked through Cronbach-Alpha and the CFA model followed by correlation analyses verifying the set of hypotheses. Findings: The study determined that quality of responsible behavior is dependent upon: quality of institutional policies, purpose built environmental friendly infrastructure, tourism carrying capacity, community involvement, interconnected network of diverse tourism support services, destination-specific promotion and growth strategies, development of human capital, and satisfaction of tourists across tourism supply chain. The study found negative footprints of tourism behavior along the destinations located close to the urban centers, whereas, remote destinations were found positively sustaining their environmental capitals. Implications: The study implications suggested measures to prevent negative footprints of tourism influx, regenerate the natural capital and spread socio-economic benefits across communities and destinations.