From ownership to responsibility: extending the theory of planned behavior to predict tourist environmentally responsible behavioral intentions

Abstract

This research adopts the view that tourists can feel destinations belong to them emotionally (destination psychological ownership). An ownership route for promoting tourist environmentally responsible behavioral intentions (TERBI) is examined based on the theory of planned behavior, with perceived environmental responsibility and place attachment as mediators. Data were collected from two samples in Hangzhou: Gen Z (n = 549) and older generations (n = 547). The results showed that destination psychological ownership is not directly related to TERBI; perceived environmental responsibility and place attachment mediate the relationship between destination psychological ownership and TERBI. Place attachment is the most critical mediating variable. The levels of TERBI are significantly lower among Gen Z tourists; however, the effect of subjective norms on TERBI is stronger for Gen Z than for other generations. This research provides theoretical and managerial implications to understand better the role of destination psychological ownership in facilitating TERBI.