Tourist Perceptions of Destination Attributes: An Empirical Study in Telangana’s Nalgonda and Warangal Districts

Tourism plays a vital role in boosting regional economic growth, preserving culture, and promoting social development. Despite Telangana’s rich heritage, there is limited micro-level research on tourist perceptions. This study focuses on Nalgonda and Warangal districts to explore how tourists assess destination features and how these perceptions affect satisfaction and tourism potential. The objectives are twofold: (i) to examine the effect of seven destination attributes—accessibility, safety and cleanliness, natural and cultural attractions, accommodation and hospitality, leisure and recreation, costs and financial services, and travel comfort—on tourist satisfaction; and (ii) to determine whether satisfaction mediates the link between these attributes and overall tourism potential.
A structured questionnaire was administered to 400 respondents (200 from each district). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) validated the constructs, followed by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), mediation tests, and Multi-Group Analysis (MGA) for comparative insights. Results highlight that natural and cultural attractions (β = 0.31) and safety and cleanliness (β = 0.26) significantly enhance satisfaction. Accessibility, hospitality, leisure, comfort, and cost-related services exert moderate but significant effects. Tourist satisfaction strongly predicts perceived tourism potential (β = 0.62), with full mediation observed in accessibility, leisure, and cost, while other attributes show partial mediation. District-wise and demographic differences emphasize the importance of context-specific strategies.
The study concludes that while Nalgonda and Warangal possess significant tourism potential, improving satisfaction levels is crucial to unlocking this potential. Findings provide theoretical contributions and practical guidance aligned with Telangana’s Tourism Policy 2025–2030, supporting sustainable tourism growth in the state.

Tourist Perceptions, Destination Attributes, CFA, SEM, Mediation, Multi-Group Analysis, Telangana Tourism, Sustainable Tourism

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