Analysis of Ecotourism Experience and Future Behavioral Intention with Specific Reference to Periyar Tiger reserve in Kerala

Abstract

Tourism industry has made substantial contribution in terms of burgeoning foreign newlineexchange earnings, employment generation and unleashing entrepreneurial opportunities with newlineconservation of resources . Ecotourism has assumed a lot of significance in the contemporary context newlineas it has been accepted as a tourism product as well as a phenomenon. According to a study conducted newlineby UNWTO in 2010 ecotourism is the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry, expanding newlineglobally between 20% and 34% per year. Kerala is known for its ecotourism destinations due to rich newlineflora and fauna. Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady is one of the primary ecotourism destinations in newlineKerala. Known as Periyar National Park since 1981, its ecotourism development Project is well known newlinesince 1996. newlineEco tourism experience is a generic term used in the context of ecotourism. The analysis newlineof ecotourism experience domain is considered essential as it could influence ecotourist satisfaction. newlineIn this context, an analysis of the factors influencing repeat visitation intention/ recommendation newlineintention of ecotourist visiting a destination is required to understand the underlying determinant of newlinefuture behavioral intention which is believed to affect the earnings from the destination newlineThe study has identified certain attributes of interest and relevance in contemporary newlinecontext with respect to ecotourism like ecotourism experience, ecotourist satisfaction and future newlinebehavioural intention. newlineThe research has provided valuable inputs for the managers to understand the nature newlineecotourism experience and the method of measuring an abstract concept,ecotourism experience newlineparadigm, which is not found in such a comprehensive manner in previous studies of this domain.This newlineknowledge will help both the destination planners and marketers in asubstantial way, as it empower newlinethem to evaluate the requirements of the ecotourists effectively through ecotourism experience newlineparadigm which can be used for making strategic ,operational ,tactical and innovative decisions