Does Awareness Shape Tourism Experiences: A Study on Sustainable Tourism Practices in Valparai

The objective of this research is to discover tourist awareness, socio-economic characteristics, and tourism practices in Valparai, particularly focusing on the incorporation of sustainable tourism principles. By utilizing primary data collected from 50 participants through a purposive sampling method, this study applies reliability analysis, straightforward percentage calculations, weighted averages, and chi-square tests for data interpretation. The results indicate that tourist awareness significantly impacts travel behaviors, intentions to return, and engagement in environmentally-conscious practices. The findings suggest that improved tourism marketing, infrastructural enhancements, and community-oriented eco-tourism initiatives could elevate Valparai's appeal as a sustainable tourist destination. This research contributes to policy discussions by providing valuable insights for tourism stakeholders, local businesses, government entities, and others, aimed at developing responsible tourism strategies