Does ECO certification deliver benefits? An empirical investigation of visitors’ perceptions of the importance of ECO certification's attributes and of operators’ performance

摘要: Certification is highlighted as a key sustainable tourism management tool. Yet, very little known about visitors’ perceptions of such schemes. This an important gap: the success certification schemes depends on consumers’ confidence in quality products and services that endorse. paper surveyed 610 visitors to Wet Tropics World Heritage Area surrounds Queensland, Australia (1) perceived importance various attributes ECO scheme; (2) performance operators based those attributes. Data analysis identified aspects operator may need improvement. It found varied across visitor groups; at accommodations, most were be important, Nature (as aesthetic experience) Marketing being more than others, while attractions tours, indifferent. Younger rated Environmen...