Impact of comparative climate change perceptions on antecedents of tourists' adaptation intentions for a coastal destination in Taiwan

Although previous research has confirmed that climate change impacts tourism systems, few studies have explored the differences in tourists' adaptation intentions in response to diverse climate change perceptions. Therefore, this study compared two tourist groups with high and low climate change perception levels to understand their adaptation intentions based on protection motivation theory. A valid sample totaling 696 domestic tourists visiting Kenting National Park in Taiwan was surveyed. The results revealed that the low-perception tourist group had externally-oriented adaptation, with the perceived external environment or information dissemination impacting adaptation intention. However, the high-perception tourist group's adaptation intention was internally-oriented, relating to their self-control and personal core values. This study's findings contribute to the literature on different psychological viewpoints for understanding tourists' adaptation intentions based on the protection motivation theory in the context of climate change. Destination management organizations should consider the responding adaptation intention of different tourists and formulate corresponding environmental destination management strategies.