Abstract
Technological solutions to achieve energy efficiency and carbon reduction in tourism are unlikely to be sufficient alone. This is partly because of the rebound effect (RE) where consumer behavior can absorb some of or all the energy efficiency gains. Time savings from time-efficient technologies can intensify energy consumption, leading to the time use rebound effect (TRE). Research suggests that the TRE in tourism can be high, especially in relation to tourist travel, but its understanding is limited. This study aims to provide empirical evidence of the TRE by categorizing tourist groups that are most prone to its occurrence. An exploratory sequential mixed methods approach is employed. Key factors that influence the potential TRE occurrence include socio-demographic characteristics, holiday preferences, time/money availability, time perception/attitudes, and time use patterns on holiday. The “Busy explorer” cluster of tourists is most likely to show TREs. Implications and suggestions for future research are outlined.
Highlights
An increasing number of studies and policies have focused on sustainable tourism development due to the industry’s growing natural resource intensity and accelerating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
This study provided empirical evidence of the time use rebound effect (TRE) in the context of tourism and categorized tourists in line with the likelihood of their behavioral responses to the TRE occurrence
Tourist behavioral changes occurred differently depending on such factors as socio-demographic characteristics, holiday preferences, availability of time and money
Summary
An increasing number of studies and policies have focused on sustainable tourism development due to the industry’s growing natural resource intensity and accelerating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (see, e.g., Gössling et al 2010; Hall 2013; Hall, Gössling, and Scott 2015; Kim and Filimonau 2017; Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD] 2020a; Scott et al 2016). The key question is whether the actual energy efficiency gains of technology use correspond to the anticipated amount of energy savings Economic theory suggests this is not always the case due to often unanticipated changes in consumer behavior (Sorrell 2007). Behavioral responses of tourists are recognized as one of the key drivers of technological ineffectiveness, and these responses have not been considered in the projection of energy saving potential in tourism (Jenkins, Nordhaus, and Shellenberger 2011). This can be partially attributed to the rebound effect (RE)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
