Employee Turnover in a Nature-based Tourism Resort: Beyond Job Satisfaction

Abstract

Attractive nature-based tourism (NBT) locations for tourists may not translate into attractive work locations for employees. Therefore, we use the therapeutic landscapes concept and extend the person-environment fit theory to encompass a person-location fit. In Study 1, we interviewed employees and identified what locational characteristics, or lack thereof, might lead to intention to quit their jobs. Three distinct themes emerged—lack of infrastructure, lack of interaction opportunities, and lack of consumption opportunities—offering an explanation for high employee turnover in nature-based tourism. In Study 2, we introduced a locational characteristic construct and, using structural equation modeling, found that inferior locational characteristics are positively associated with the employee’s intention to quit their job; and that this relationship, mediated by the employee’s intention to quit the location, is a better explanation than job satisfaction. Our findings point out new directions for researchers, organizations and policymakers.