Farmers’ Perception of Tourism in Sustainable Development of Forests and Their Decisions in China: The Sustainability of the Prism Model and SEM Model

The sustainable development of forests involves a combination environmental protection and economics. Ecotourism is new growing economic model for forests, compared with the traditional utilization forests. purpose this study was to explore applicability Prism SEM in seeking understand farmers’ perceptions decision-making regarding tourism, so as fully thinking behavior around forest truly make them harmony In study, based on field investigation 392 farmers living 11 national parks Jiangxi Province, China, three hypotheses were constructed using model; then six first-level indicators 15 s-level model, verify cognition influencing factors farmers, tourism. results showed that (1) formation process willingness adapt tourism follows path “individual → individual behavior”. (2) Economic influences, social culture, cognition, institutional all have significant positive effects their adaptive willingness. (3) Farmers’ life, protection, culture lead differences adaptability These findings highlight importance perceived value assessing how develops, well whether it its impacts. This provides better understanding influence attitudes towards highlights valuing local communities important players development, especially boosts economy