Motivation, Satisfaction, Place Attachment, and Return Intention to Natural Destinations: A Structural Analysis of Ayabaca Moorlands, Peru

This study examines the relationships among motivation, satisfaction, place attachment, and revisit intention in the context of ecotourism in the Ayabaca Moorlands, a biodiverse Andean ecosystem of high cultural significance in northern Peru. Using a non-experimental quantitative design, data were collected from 350 national and international visitors and analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings reveal that while motivation does not directly influence place attachment, it significantly affects satisfaction and revisit intention. Results provide empirical evidence that satisfying experiences foster enduring emotional bonds with environmentally sensitive destinations. The study underscores the importance of tourism management strategies that cultivate emotional connections and visitor loyalty while integrating cultural and contextual factors to ensure the long-term sustainability of high-mountain ecotourism.