Abstract

This study investigates the structural impact of marine conservation dimensions and institutional frameworks on visitor experiences and behavioral intentions within the National Marine Park of Alonissos–Northern Sporades (NMPA). Anchored in the sustainability prism model (SPM), the research examines how conservation-driven environmental capital, alongside economic, socio-cultural, and institutional pillars, influences tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty. Primary quantitative data were garnered via a cross-sectional survey administered to a statistically robust sample of 2251 visitors. Structural equation modeling (SEM) reveals that all four SPM dimensions significantly influence both immediate satisfaction and long-term loyalty. Crucially, the empirical outputs unveil an asymmetric dualism: while immediate tourist satisfaction is predominantly driven by the sensory consumption of pristine biodiversity and active marine conservation (β = 0.577), long-term loyalty is fundamentally anchored in the perceived efficiency of the institutional conservation governance framework (β = 0.413). These findings underscore the imperative of integrating transparent institutional mechanisms with active ecosystem preservation to secure the socio-ecological viability of marine conservation areas. Ultimately, this study provides actionable insights for balancing escalating ecotourism demands with strict, zero-compromise biodiversity conservation in vulnerable marine sanctuaries.

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