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@article{188743,
        author = {Athithi Sridhar and Dr.K. Sivaperumal},
        title = {“EVALUATING THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (EMS) IN ENHANCING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF ECOTOURISM DESTINATIONS.”},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {7},
        pages = {3201-3210},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=188743},
        abstract = {The increasing global emphasis on environmental sustainability has transformed the tourism industry, particularly in the field of ecotourism, where destinations are required to balance environmental protection with economic growth and visitor satisfaction. In this context, Environmental Management Systems (EMS) have emerged as a strategic tool to promote sustainable practices and improve the operational efficiency of ecotourism destinations. The present study titled “Evaluating the Role of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in Enhancing the Competitiveness of Ecotourism Destinations” aims to examine how EMS implementation and community participation in environmental practices contribute to sustainable destination management and ultimately enhance destination competitiveness.
A structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale was administered among tourists, local residents, and tourism personnel across selected ecotourism destinations in Tamil Nadu. The variables identified for the study include Environmental Management Systems and Community Participation as independent variables, Sustainable Destination Management Practices as a mediating variable, and Competitiveness of Ecotourism Destinations as the dependent variable. Statistical analyses such as correlation and regression were employed to measure the strength and significance of relationships between these variables.
The findings reveal that effective EMS implementation and active community involvement have a significant positive influence on sustainable destination management. Furthermore, sustainable destination management practices play a mediating role in strengthening the competitiveness of ecotourism destinations by enhancing their image, service quality, and stakeholder collaboration. The study concludes that integrating environmental management frameworks with participatory community approaches leads to improved ecological conservation, social well-being, and economic viability. The results provide valuable insights for policymakers, tourism authorities, and destination managers to design strategies that align environmental stewardship with competitive advantage and long-term sustainability in ecotourism.},
        keywords = {Environmental Management Systems (EMS) | Community Participation | Sustainable Destination Management Practices | Competitiveness | Ecotourism Destinations.},
        month = {December},
        }