Published : 2026-08-27

The Ethical Behaviour Paradox in Protected Areas: A Study of Visitor Conduct at Isimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

Abstract

Protected areas (PAs) are vital spaces for conservation, evolving from isolated nature reserves into dynamic environments that offer visitors transformative recreational opportunities. As a result, visitors are encouraged to adopt ethical behaviours (EBs) to support PAs’ sustainability. Although visitors express strong pro-environmental values, it remains unclear how effectively these intentions are translated into ethical practice. This study investigates this EB paradox to determine whether a gap exists between perceived EB importance and practice. Data from a convenience and purposive sample of 323 respondents, who answered a questionnaire with 23 EB indicators, were compared using paired-sample t-tests. Results confirm the existence of a statistically significant ethical paradox: while visitors at iSimangaliso Wetland Park (IWP) identify strongly with conservation ethics, their on-site behaviour falls short of reflecting those values. Management must adopt nudging strategies and enhance environmental interpretation to bridge the gap between declarations and actual behaviour.

Keywords:

ethical behaviour, ethical behaviour paradox, ethical tourism, protected areas, iSimangaliso Wetland Park



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Kuseni, M., & Hermann, U. P. (2026). The Ethical Behaviour Paradox in Protected Areas: A Study of Visitor Conduct at Isimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa. Studia Periegetica, 50(2), 2204. https://doi.org/10.58683/sp.2204

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Uniwersytet WSB Merito w Poznaniu
ul. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 5
61-895 Poznań
e-mail: journals@poznan.merito.pl
University
Uniwersytet WSB Merito w Poznaniu / WSB Merito University
ul. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 5
61-895 Poznań

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