Le rôle des cognitions environnementales dans la valorisation économique des produits et services touristiques

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of products and tourist services differentiation in rural areas, that we call «cognitive differentiation». It is shown how environmental cognitions are at the origin of a positive interaction between environmental quality and purchase of quality products and tourist ser- vices. This environmental anchoring leads to a rigid demand for these bounds products and services, which favors the emergence of high prices differentials, source of rents. The first part shows how the relationship between tourism and environmental services is built through environmental cognitions (attitudes, beliefs, emotional experience). The second part highlights the joint valorization of environ- mental services and “terroir” quality products in the case of rural tourism in Baronnies, starting from an investigation carried out with tenants and owners of lodgings during summer 2003. ©