International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

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Assessing the Tourists' Environmentally Responsible Behaviour (ERB)Selected Tourists’ Destinations in Nigeria

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Environmental Responsible Behaviour (ERB) are set of behaviour or actions that individuals decide to make to minimize negative impact of activities on the environment. These set of actions remains significant to the contemporary sustainable tourism development goal. This study examined highlights the environmental responsible behaviour exhibited by tourists, investigate the socio-economic factors influencing ERB and the influence of tourists’ environmentally responsible behaviour on tourism development in Nigeria. The selected destinations were in Ekiti State (Fajuyi Park, Arinta Waterfall and Ikogosi Warm Water Springs). The descriptive research design was employed using the quantitative research method. A total of 390 participants were selected in all; 300 community residents and 90 tourists using the multistage sampling technique. Data obtained were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Results revealed that the major environmental responsible behaviours exhibited by tourist were; support of local products and services, respecting local communities, caring for wildlife and natural resources and responsible transportation to minimize the adverse effect their activities could have on environmental resources. Only age (F=1.958, p<.05) and ethnicity (F=4.869, p<.05) influences ERB among the tourists while other socio-economic variables like gender, income and religion do not. Also, ERB significantly influence destination image of the tourist attractions (t=11.17, p<.05) and economic outlook (F=5.23, p<.05) of the local community through the support they receive from the visitors. Hence, tourism stakeholders and policymakers should encourage tourists to develop environmental responsible behaviours for sustainable tourism development.
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