Place Attachment or Novel Experience? Enablers of Recreationists’ Environmentally Responsible Behavior in Scenic Spots

Abstract

Given the importance of recreationists’ environmentally responsible behavior (RERB) to the sustainability of the scenic spots, this study uses person-environment fit as the theoretical basis and place attachment and novel experience as mediating variables to explore the mechanism of recreationist-environment fit (RE-fit) on RERB. This study’s main objective is to investigate RERB enablers in scenic spots; therefore, data from 588 recreationists of Mount Huang scenic spot were collected using a questionnaire. The results of this study, through structural equation modeling, showed that both place attachment and novel experience had a significant positive effect on RERB; however, novel experience had a greater effect on RERB compared to place attachment. Moreover, the analysis also found that RE-fit mediated the effect of RERB through place attachment and novel experience. This study examined the antecedents that influenced RERB in scenic spots and provided theoretical implications for the environmental management of scenic spots from the perspective of RERB. This study provided practical implications for the construction of recreationists’ place attachment and novel experience in scenic spots. This research recommends that recreational site providers should offer their recreationists sustainable and environmentally friendly experiences, activities, and interpretations to enhance their attitudes and recreational environmentally responsible behavior. This will reduce the ecological impacts produced by recreationists at various recreational locations, hence, promoting sustainable tourism.