Ieromonachou, Petros ORCID: 0000-0002-5842-9585, Babula, Michael W. ORCID: 0000-0002-3567-6700 and Warren, James P. (2011) Understanding the environmental intentions of UK tourists in Cyprus. In: 3rd International Conference on Special Interest Tourism & Destination Management, 27-30 Apr 2011, Kathmandu, Nepal. (Unpublished)

PDF UNDERSTANDING_THE_ENVIRONMENTAL_INTENTIONS_OF_UK_TOURISTS_IN_CYPRUS.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (189kB)

Abstract

Air travel accounts for the highest energy consumption and emissions for UK tourists in Cyprus. Although air travel is currently unavoidable, positive changes can be made at destination, whether this includes reduction of energy use in hotels, improving the infrastructure of the surrounding areas, introducing a carbon tax or by addressing the behavioural intentions of tourists. This study investigates perceived environmental friendliness and connects it with transport activities based on tourists’ experience while on holidays. Results were drawn from a survey of UK tourists (n=420) which was conducted in a specific area in the southeast of Cyprus, in accommodation resorts typically associated with mass tourism.
Survey results show that for transfers to accommodation resorts, 89% of respondents used the bus, 6% used taxis, and 4% rented a car. From those who travelled outside the accommodation resorts (77.60%), 71.40% used some form of motorized travel and 36.9% used some form of non-motorized travel. At the same time, the results show that the majority of respondents perceive themselves as being environmentally friendly whilst on holidays. The objective was to explore whether those who are using motorized transport may be interested in becoming more environmentally friendly. Initial findings indicated that the data were not normally distributed. A Mann-Whitney test indicated that those who use motor transport were significantly less willing to become more environmentally friendly on holidays (U = 15,652.50, p < .05). It also appears that those who rent cars are also less likely to change to an environmentally friendly attitude (U = 13,960.50, p < .05). The data suggests that it is first useful to explore further the environmental behaviour of tourists - for example different age groups and people renting cars - and the alternatives these individuals are willing to accept before attempting to alter the conditions that influence the sustainable management of the destination.

Item Type:	Conference or Conference Paper (Paper)
Additional Information:	[1] Presented at 3rd International Conference on Special Interest Tourism & Destination Management, held 27-30 April 2011, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	air travel, car rental, environmental attitudes, emissions, green destination management
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Business > Department of Systems Management & Strategy
Related URLs:	Organisation
Last Modified:	14 Oct 2016 09:19
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/7796

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads