Demand of an eco-lodge based on understanding its benefits for the destination and the tourist's mental norms: an emphasis on the need for spiritual marketing (Case study: Eco-Lodges of Yazd City)

Eco-lodge is a factor in improving the living standards of the local community and increasing the sustainability of the destination, but there is little knowledge about the impact of understanding these benefits on eco-lodge demand. Therefore, the present study, with emphasis on the spiritual motivations of responsible travel, is dedicated to examining the effect of understanding these benefits as well as Norms of mental emphasis and descriptive on the demand for eco-lodge. The research is of applied type. The statistical population of the study was tourists in Yazd, the results were analyzed using partial least squares structural equations. The results showed that perceived benefits have a positive and significant effect on the demand for eco-lodges, and descriptive mental norms have an indirect effect on this demand by perceived benefits. As a result, in order to increase the demand for eco-lodge, it was proposed to increase tourists' awareness of the benefits of eco-lodge for the destination (focusing on reference groups). Also, recommendations were made to change the attitude of marketers and focus on spiritual marketing.