Is preservation the key to quality and tourists’ satisfaction? Evidence from Lake Garda

This study empirically examines the effect of the preservation of local resources on the perceived quality of tourism resources and tourists’ satisfaction. A quantitative questionnaire was developed and administered to tourists on Lake Garda, the second most visited Italian destination. Through a structural equation model, we show that the perceived quality of tourism resources is affected by the preservation of local resources, which in turn influences tourists' satisfaction. This outcome underscores the importance of preservation of local resources as a key to adding value to visitors’ experiences. Indeed, given that quality and preservation are connected constructs, the preservation of local resources should be a top priority in tourism development and management.