Gamified environmental interpretation as a strategy for improving tourist behavior in support of sustainable tourism: The moderating role of psychological distance

Abstract

This study aims to identify whether gamified environmental interpretation may contribute to improving the sustainability of tourist destinations. It seeks to establish whether gamified environmental interpretation exerts a greater effect on tourists, in terms of their pro-environmental knowledge, attitude, and behavior, than a non-gamified version; whether these variables are affected by the psychological distance; and whether psychological distance moderates the effect of environmental interpretation (gamified vs. non-gamified) on the tourist. Using a quasi-experimental design, a gamified vs. non-gamified environmental interpretation experience is manipulated and the comparative results analyzed. The results show that the effect of environmental interpretation on tourists differs according to psychological distance; this effect is more marked when the participant perceives the destination to be near. However, in the case of gamified environmental interpretation, regulatory construal fit is detected, which intensifies the effect on pro-environmental knowledge, attitude, and behavior among those for whom the psychological distance is greater.