| Summary: | This study offers a conceptual framework reflecting relationships among
nature-based antecedents of community participation in an ecotourism destination en route to achieving quality of life of the local community. The study also examines the moderating role of political instability and
government policy in ensuring community participation and attaining
quality of life, respectively. Data were collected through a structured
survey from 449 local community members of Sundarbans, Bangladesh,
which were analysed using SmartPLS based structural equation
modelling. Results revealed that community participation depends on
natural attraction and motivation of the people to be involved with
ecotourism activities. Such participation is found to influence quality of
life of the community people. The results show support for significant
moderating effects of political instability and government policy on the
relationship between (i) ecotourism motivation and community
participation, and (ii) community participation and quality of life,
respectively. The findings offer significant theoretical and practical
implications.
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