Responsible Tourist Behaviour Research Articles

WINNING OVER THE GEN Z: EMPIRICAL INSIGHTS INTO SOCIAL MEDIA BEHAVIOUR DURING TRAVEL

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the social media behavior of Generation Z during travel, focusing on their product and service choices, as well as the environmental motivations behind these choices. The aim is to understand how social media influences their travel decisions and promotes responsible tourist behavior. Theoretical Framework: This research is grounded in theories of digital marketing and consumer behavior, particularly in the context of social media's impact on tourism. Concepts such as interactive marketing, online reviews, and social media influence are central to this investigation, providing a solid basis for understanding the dynamics of Gen Z's travel behavior. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a mixed-method approach. Questionnaires were distributed, yielding 301 valid responses from Gen Z individuals born between 1995 and 2015, who had traveled at least twice a year and been active on social media for at least two years. The data collection was supplemented by interviews to gain deeper insights into their social media usage and travel preferences. Statistical tools were employed to analyze the data. Results and Discussion: The results revealed key social media preferences and usage patterns among Gen Z travelers. Notably, positive online reviews and social media influence were significant factors in their travel decisions. The discussion contextualizes these findings within the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications for effective marketing strategies. Discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered, providing a comprehensive understanding of the research outcomes. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are significant, offering insights into how social media can be leveraged to foster responsible tourist behavior. These findings can influence practices in the tourism industry, particularly in marketing strategies aimed at Gen Z. The implications extend to benefiting local communities and the environment while enhancing tourist satisfaction. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the innovative approach of examining social media's role in shaping responsible travel behavior among Gen Z. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its potential to impact marketing practices in the tourism sector, promoting sustainable tourism and benefiting both travelers and local destinations.

Exploring the effect of destination social responsibility on responsible tourist behavior: symmetric and asymmetric analysis

ABSTRACT Cultivating responsible tourist behavior (RTB) is critical for promoting sustainable development in tourism destinations. This study explored the symmetric and asymmetric effects of causal antecedents on RTB through the lens of the cognitive–affective model and complexity theory. Survey data from 566 Chinese tourists were analyzed using PLS-SEM (symmetric method) and fsQCA (asymmetric method). The PLS-SEM results indicated that perceived DSR enhanced tourists’ destination attachment, thus facilitating low-effort and high-effort RTB. The fsQCA results substantiated and refined these findings by providing particular antecedent configurations for the outcomes. This study concluded by discussing the theoretical and practical implications arising from these findings.

SOSYAL KİMLİK ALGISININ SORUMLU TURİST DAVRANIŞINA YÖNELİK TUTUMA ETKİSİ: KAMP-KARAVAN TURİSTLERİ ÜZERİNE BİR ARAŞTIRMA

Algılanan sosyal kimlik özelliklerinin davranış üzerindeki etkilerinin incelenmesi, turist davranışının açıklanması için önemlidir. Turist davranışlarından biri olan sorumlu turist davranışını etkileyen faktörlerin belirlenmesi turizmin çevre, toplum ve kültür üzerinde bıraktığı olumsuz etkilerin azaltılmasına yardımcı olabilir ve olumlu katkılar sunabilir. Araştırma, kamp ve karavan turizmine katılan bireylerin sorumlu turist davranışına yönelik tutumlarında sosyal kimlik algısının etkisini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırmanın amacı doğrultusunda Balıkesir’de kamp ve karavan turizmine katılan 410 turistten kolayda örneklem yöntemiyle toplanan veriler değerlendirmeye alınmıştır. Araştırmada nicel araştırma yöntemlerinden ilişkisel tarama modeli kullanılmıştır. Ölçeklere ilişkin açımlayıcı ve doğrulayıcı faktör analizi sonuçları değerlendirilmiş ve ardından yol analizi sonuçları incelenmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda, sorumlu turist davranışına yönelik tutumun alt boyutları öğrenme, kültür ve çevre olarak belirlenmiştir. Araştırmanın önemli sonuçlarından biri sosyal kimlik algısının sorumlu turist davranışına yönelik tutumun alt boyutları arasında çevre boyutunun en yüksek etkiye sahip olmasıdır. Sosyal kimlik algısının sorumlu turist davranışına yönelik tutumun üzerinde pozitif ve anlamlı etkiye sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Dolayısıyla, çevresel etkilerin azaltılabilmesi için sosyal kimlik çalışmalarının genişletilmesi ve sosyal kimlik üzerinden sürdürülebilirlikle ilgili sosyal reklam ve kampanyaların yürütülmesinin faydalı olabileceği anlaşılmıştır.

Assessing Responsible Tourist Behavior at Kaptai Lake, Rangamati, Bangladesh

Assessing Responsible Tourist Behavior at Kaptai Lake, Rangamati, Bangladesh

Assessing the impact of selfie-taking tourists on local tour guides in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone: a netnographic analysis of a dark tourism location

ABSTRACT Self-portrayed photographs, more commonly known as selfies, are a modern way of expressing oneself at popular tourist destinations. Selfies enable individuals to be seen by others on the web. There has been fierce debate about whether taking selfies is appropriate from an ethical standpoint at tourist places with darker and more sensitive histories. This study, a first of its kind, is a multi-method analysis of tour guides’ emotions towards selfie-taking tourists in the dark tourism location of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in Ukraine. As a phenomenon that has been introduced fairly recently, extant research has addressed the consequences selfies have on dark touristic sites, but no current study has considered the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The methods used to evaluate the current situation are netnography and one-on-one, in-depth interviews with Chernobyl tour guides. Findings show that there has been a degree of conflict between tour guides and tourists who take selfies. Performance of emotional labor is detected amongst some tour guides. Interestingly, this result emerged more during interviews than from data mining in the online community. Managers of the site of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone are advised to look into ways of implementing a more responsible tourist behavior structure.

Exploring Tourists’ Responsible Behavior: Evidence from Thailand

The study aims to measure tourists’ responsible behavior, and to develop a structural equation model of responsible tourist behavior among Thai tourists. A questionnaire survey was conducted using an online questionnaire. A total of 503 Thai domestic tourists who practiced responsible behavior participated in the study. The data were analyzed through structural equation modeling with a two-stage approach. The results of the analysis revealed a good fit with the empirical data (CMIN/DF = 2.62, RMSEA = 0.06, CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.92). Moreover, the findings highlight two underlying factors which emerged for responsible behavior, namely impact consideration and local connections. The establishment of an extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model with two additional predictors including environmental and social concern, and pro-environmental behavior in everyday life, explains the formation of tourists’ responsible behavior. Destination managers and marketers can encourage tourists’ responsible behavior by implementing meaningful experiences with various low-impact tourism activities. Relevant government agencies and policy makers can promote responsible campaigns and events to enhance responsible behavior.

Content Analysis on Sustainability Dimensions in DMOs’ Social Media Videos Advertising the World’s Most Visited Cities

Rapid population expansion and poorly managed economic growth, unprecedented anthropogenic climate changes, non-renewable natural resources depletion, environmental pollution, social inequity, and loss of cultural integrity generate a global context that calls for urgent adoption of a sustainable development approach in major industries, including tourism. Sustainable tourism development requires the mobilization of tourism stakeholders at all levels and on the demand side through actions related to the travel decision-making process. To stimulate attitude formation and adoption of sustainable tourist behaviors, Destination Management Organizations (DMOs)—the main organizations responsible for sustainable destination development—need to adopt sustainable-oriented communication actions when building the destination image. As tourism stakeholders’ perspective is under-investigated for destination image projection and communication, this paper aimed at assessing the integration of sustainable tourism principles in the promotion of destinations by DMOs; the focus was placed on video advertisements posted on the primary online source of tourism information, social media. Through a content analysis of DMOs’ social media advertisements for the 50 most visited cities in the world, the current study revealed that elements covering all three dimensions of sustainability (economic, socio-cultural, natural) were featured in the commercial discourse, but not in a sustainable explicit standpoint. Besides, the content sporadically reflected sustainable governmental initiatives and projected responsible tourist behavior, while it lacked specific sustainable tourism-related terms. Moreover, several highly popular cities did not have promotional videos. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge on destination image formation by providing evidence from the supply’s side along with an original content analysis grid which can be used to capture and evaluate the sustainable tourism dimensions as portrayed in advertising videos of cities. Additionally, it offers practical implications for DMOs’ marketing communication strategies.

Do tourists’ responsible behaviors shape their local food consumption intentions? An examination via the theory of planned behavior

Purpose The primary purpose of this study is to reveal how the local food consumption intentions of international tourists are influenced by core variables of the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The secondary purpose is to explore the moderating role of responsible tourist behavior in these relationships. Design/methodology/approach The present research was conducted on international tourists visiting Antalya, Turkey. The research data, collected from a total of 457 respondents, were tested and analyzed via partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings Attitudes toward local food and perceived behavioral control have a positive and significant impact on local food consumption intention. Also, responsible tourist behavior has a moderating effect on both the relationship between attitude toward local food and local food consumption intention and the relationship between subjective norms and local food consumption intention. Practical implications In their advertising campaigns, destination management organizations (DMOs) and local restaurants should prepare more sentimental advertising content by further focusing on nonrenewable limited resources of the destination and addressing tourists’ role in consuming the limited resources in question. Thus, tourists’ sense of responsibility toward destinations may be increased, possibly stimulating enhancement in their local food consumption intentions. Originality/value This study explores the role of responsible tourist behavior in the construct of local food consumption through the lens of TPB. Said construct was included in the local food consumption intention model. This endeavor has paved the way for unraveling the interaction between responsible tourist behavior, attitudes and subjective norms, all of which are fundamental elements of the TPB toward increasing local food consumption intentions. This constitutes a remarkable contribution in understanding the local food consumption behavior of tourists. Moreover, because local food will be consumed in local restaurants located in the destinations, understanding the local food consumption intentions of tourists will enable local restaurants to develop innovative products by focusing on local food.

Impact of tourist-to-tourist interaction on responsible tourist behaviour: Evidence from China

This study identifies tourist-to-tourist interaction as a significant antecedent of responsible tourist behaviour. The mechanism by which two types of tourist-to-tourist interaction (tourism information sharing and self-disclosure) influence two types of responsible tourist behaviour (basic responsible behaviour and extra responsible behaviour) was proposed and empirically tested. The results indicate that tourism information sharing and self-disclosure positively impact tourists’ perceived group norms. Nevertheless, perceived group norms can only increase basic responsible tourist behaviour. While destination attachment can be improved by tourism information sharing but not self-disclosure, it positively relates to both basic and extra responsible tourist behaviour. In terms of generational differences, Chinese Generation Y tourists are engaged in a higher level of tourism information sharing than Chinese Generation X tourists. Moreover, the relationship between self-disclosure and perceived group norms is significant for Generation X tourists but not for Generation Y tourists. • Tourist-to-tourist interactions positively impact perceived group norm. • Group norm exerts effect on responsible tourist behaviour. • Tourist-to-tourist interactions positively impact destination attachment. • Destination attachment exerts influence on responsible tourist behaviour. • The influencing mechanisms vary across generational cohorts in China.

Investigating the Responsible Tourist Behaviour in Ecotourism Destination: A Study on Saint Martin’s Island in Bangladesh

Though measuring and monitoring tourists' responsible behavior is considered as a key indicator of assuring Responsible Tourism (RT), it is highly ignored in most of the tourist destinations in Bangladesh. Hence, this research aims at investigating how responsibly the tourists behave in the context of an ecotourism destination, Saint Martin Island, Bangladesh. To address the research aim, this paper follows the quantitative research approach where both primary and secondary data are used. The study employed 18 RT behavioral traits under five broad themes to measure Responsible Tourist Behavior (RTB). The findings show that there exists a positive significant relationship between RTB and behavioral trait themes (environmental, economic, cultural, development and promotional, legal and ethical behavioral traits). It is also found that the tourists are very careless about using usual tourist path, local tourist guide, creating noise and wearing local dresses but they play a significant role for the promotion and development of the destination during their visit. Keywords: Responsible Tourism, Responsible Tourist Behavior, Ecotourism Destination, Saint Martin Island, Bangladesh

The Impact of Low-Carbon Service Operations on Responsible Tourist Behavior: The Psychological Processes of Sustainable Cultural Tourism

This paper explores the impact of low-carbon service operations on responsible tourist behavior within sustainable cultural tourism. A proposed conceptual framework is used to examine this largely ignored situation through the case study of Xiao Liuqiu Island. The small island in Taiwan reveals a previously understudied phenomenon in sustainable island tourism. The psychological processes connecting cultural and cross-cultural experiences with sustainable tourism are explored using primary and secondary data collected through in-depth interviews of domestic tourists and online reviews of foreign tourists, respectively. Data analysis reveals the significant result that sustainable island tourism comprises two important elements: a supply and a demand side of a destination. The supply side describes low-carbon service operations—which include food, lodging, and ecological tourist activities—while the demand side reflects tourist behaviors—expressed through cognition, emotion, and motivation as well as authenticity. In addition, this paper makes an important contribution to management by emphasizing the need for careful attention to tourism psychology, particularly in natural and ecological environments that use tourism as a marketing strategy in cultural ecosystems services (CES).

The Role of Tour Guide Performance in Creating Responsible Tourist Behavior: An Empirical Study: Archaeological Sites in Alexandria

In spite of, Alexandria has many tourist attractions, but its archaeological sites are seen as most attracting many tourists. In consideration of the growth of mass tourism at archaeological sites, tourists’ behavior and their numbers may have many possible harmful effects such as noise, overcrowding and pollution. Although, there are many factors that can affect tourists' behavior in the destination, but this research has interested to study the relationship between tour guide performance and responsible tourist behavior at archaeological sites by analyzing the impact of intermediate factors like tourist satisfaction and experience. This research has been based on a descriptive survey method through distributing a set of questionnaires from 21 November 2019 until mid-December 2019 at certain archaeological sites in Alexandria. The structural model was tested on a sample of 334 tourists who have visited these sites. This study was based on confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate and check the reliability and validity of the current conceptual model and path analysis to test the mediation effects of tourism experience and satisfaction. Finally, the Structural equation modeling (SEM) has shown the effective role of tour guide performance, tourism experience and tourism satisfaction in directing tourists' behavior towards responsible behavior.

Predicting responsible tourist behavior : Exploring pro-social behavior and perceptions of responsible tourism

Predicting responsible tourist behavior : Exploring pro-social behavior and perceptions of responsible tourism

The role of perceived ethics in the decision-making process for responsible tourism using an extended model of goal-directed behavior

The purpose of this study is to examine the decision-making process for responsible tourism (RT) using a theoretical framework of the Model of Goal-directed Behavior (MGB). Because ethics is essential to protect the natural environment, respect the local culture, and benefit local communities that are significantly important for RT, this study also investigates the role of perceived ethics in the decision-making processes of responsible tourists by incorporating the three ethics into the original MGB. A quota sampling method was employed based on gender, age, and residential district, and the data were analyzed using a partial least squares-structural equation modeling approach. Results suggest that perceived ethics (economic, socio-cultural, and environmental concerns) has a significant effect on attitudes toward, desire for, and behavioral intention to participate in RT. Subjective norms and anticipated emotions have significant impacts on the desire for RT, and perceived behavioral control over RT also influences both desire and behavioral intention. In particular, desire is an important antecedent in predicting behavioral intention of responsible tourists. This study contributes to extending knowledge of responsible tourist behavior and identifies the significant role of perceived ethics in RT. Further, this study provides managerial implications to RT stakeholders (e.g., locals, tourism businesses, tourists).

The role of perceived ethics in the decision-making process for responsible tourism using an extended model of goal-directed behavior

The purpose of this study is to examine the decision-making process for responsible tourism (RT) using a theoretical framework of the Model of Goal-directed Behavior (MGB). Because ethics is essential to protect the natural environment, respect the local culture, and benefit local communities that are significantly important for RT, this study also investigates the role of perceived ethics in the decision-making processes of responsible tourists by incorporating the three ethics into the original MGB. A quota sampling method was employed based on gender, age, and residential district, and the data were analyzed using a partial least squares-structural equation modeling approach. Results suggest that perceived ethics (economic, socio-cultural, and environmental concerns) has a significant effect on attitudes toward, desire for, and behavioral intention to participate in RT. Subjective norms and anticipated emotions have significant impacts on the desire for RT, and perceived behavioral control over RT also influences both desire and behavioral intention. In particular, desire is an important antecedent in predicting behavioral intention of responsible tourists. This study contributes to extending knowledge of responsible tourist behavior and identifies the significant role of perceived ethics in RT. Further, this study provides managerial implications to RT stakeholders (e.g., locals, tourism businesses, tourists).

Differences in tourist ethical judgment and responsible tourism intention: An ethical scenario approach

While many tourists recognize the necessity of responsible tourism, not all respond to it equally. Thus, this study explores behavioral discrepancies in responsible tourism practices with respect to three types of ethical travel issues (economic, socio-cultural, and environmental). An ethical decision-making process that begins with perceived importance of ethical issues (PIE) was examined using a scenario approach based on responses from tourists in South Korea. Results found that (1) tourists responded to specific responsible issues in different ways, (2) PIE was positively related to ethical decision making, and (3) except for economic issues, tourists with more travel experiences were more likely to make ethically favorable decisions. Such findings provide useful information that can help improve upon the limited understanding of the ethical decisions of tourists. Effective communication and management strategies to raise awareness and facilitate responsible tourist behavior are further discussed.

Responsible tourist behaviour: The role of social engagement

This is a study of the effect of social engagement on responsible tourist behaviour. We also examine the mediating role of responsible public management of tourism, involvement in responsible tourism and the ecological orientation of tourism. This research is based on an overall sample of 656 respondents. Our research hypotheses are tested using structural equation modelling. The results reveal a direct positive effect of social engagement on responsible behaviour among tourists. Involvement in responsible tourism and satisfaction regarding the responsible public management of tourism have mediating effects on the relationship between social engagement and responsible tourist behaviour. However, an ecological orientation in tourism has no significant mediating effect on this relationship, nor does it have a direct effect on responsible tourist behaviour. We also discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of our findings.

Berlin: Sustainability and tour guides in a partial dark tourism destination

When guiding in Berlin about the Holocaust or about the Cold War, tour guides often hear the phrase: 'I didn't come here for that, but I want to see that as well...' Many of Berlin's 10 Million visitors per year claim to have an attraction towards both the morbid and the lighter side of the city. Following from that popular sentiment it is argued that Berlin can be defined as a Partial Dark Tourism Destination. As such, it is further argued that Berlin is prone to an increase of socio-economic and socio-cultural negative impacts. The premise of the research is that Berlin's tour guides function as a link between the residents of the city and the visitors. The thesis, then, is that tour guides play a role and can contribute to development of social, cultural and economic urban tourism sustainability. An analysis of tourism impacts and tourists-residents relations is presented, in which the tour guide plays a role in influencing the visitor's behaviour. I conclude that tour guides have greater influence on social, cultural and economic behaviour of the tourist than previously considered, and therefore a potential to enhance sustainable tourism development in Berlin. The significance of this research is in the way it points out to the roles Berlin tour guides play in facilitation of sustainable tourism development in the city. Furthermore, the research shows the ways in which tour guides contribute to increasing responsible tourist behaviour. .

‘Exceptional Visitors’: Dimensions of Tourist Responsibility in the Context of New Zealand

Within the responsible tourism debate, the tourist is often at best overlooked, and at worst represented as abandoning all sense of responsibility while on holiday. This paper argues that tourists are an untapped resource, they can make positive contributions while on holiday, yet the literature focuses on the other stakeholders. A starting point, therefore, is to place the visitor at the centre of the responsible tourism debate by exploring what it means to be a responsible tourist. This is undertaken in the context of New Zealand. Using two comparative case study sites and semi-structured interviews with industry representatives, expectations of what it means to be a responsible tourist are explored from the industry's perspective. It is concluded that responsible tourist behaviour is multi-faceted and complex, with several dimensions and degrees of dimensions. Enacting generic meanings of responsibility is context-dependent and the onus may fall back to the destinations to guide and direct tourists appropriately.

‘Exceptional Visitors’: Dimensions of Tourist Responsibility in the Context of New Zealand

Within the responsible tourism debate, the tourist is often at best overlooked, and at worst represented as abandoning all sense of responsibility while on holiday. This paper argues that tourists are an untapped resource, they can make positive contributions while on holiday, yet the literature focuses on the other stakeholders. A starting point, therefore, is to place the visitor at the centre of the responsible tourism debate by exploring what it means to be a responsible tourist. This is undertaken in the context of New Zealand. Using two comparative case study sites and semi-structured interviews with industry representatives, expectations of what it means to be a responsible tourist are explored from the industry's perspective. It is concluded that responsible tourist behaviour is multi-faceted and complex, with several dimensions and degrees of dimensions. Enacting generic meanings of responsibility is context-dependent and the onus may fall back to the destinations to guide and direct tourists appropriately.