Direct and indirect effects of received benefits and place attachment in willingness to pay and loyalty in suburban natural areas

Abstract

The behavior of citizens in natural areas is the result of a very complex psychological process in which various psychological, social and environmental factors all play their parts. The influence of the psychological factors, as well as the personal benefits received during the stay in the area concerned, as well as place attachment, have received theoretical consideration, but the empirical evidence is limited in the environmental field. This paper explores the direct and indirect role of the receiving of benefits in predicting the attachment of visitors and the subsequent development of their WTP and loyalty. In general terms the results of the structural model show that the received benefits, and affective and functional links determine WTP intentions with regard to conservation and the loyalty of visitors in two suburban natural areas. In conclusion, the management implications of the study are discussed. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.