Damir Demonja, PhD, full-time research advisor, Senior Scientific Adviser on Permanent Position, from the Department for International Economic and Political Relations, Institute for Development and International Relations, IRMO, Zagreb, together with Ivana Šagovnović, PhD student, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Science, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, and Igor Stamenković, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Science, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, published an original scientific article Thinking green when at a tourism destination? The effect of tourists’ sociodemographic characteristics in predicting perception of green packaging and branding, eco-friendly attitudes and behavior. The journal is indexed in SCOPUS, SocINDEX (EBSCO), CSA SOCIOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS, CSA WORLDWIDE POLITICAL SCIENCE ABSTRACTS, CSA SOCIAL SERVICES ABSTRACT (SELECTIVE).
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Full text available at: https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/403420
Abstract
The tourism industry contributes greatly to stakeholders at tourism destinations but also leaves negative prints on the environment. Besides, both tourism providers and tourists are often linked to unfavorable associations with nature and disrespectful behavior towards the destination’s natural resources. Hence, understanding what influences tourists’ attitudes and behavior towards the environment is of great significance. Previous literature has already shed light on the importance of people’s sociodemographic characteristics in molding their environmental attitudes and behavior. Thus, this paper attempted to investigate whether tourists’ sociodemographic variables influence their eco-friendly attitudes and behavior when at tourism destinations. Similarly, such personal characteristics have been confirmed to assist consumers in their preferences towards product packaging. Based on this and the fact that green products could enhance the quality of the environment and modify consumers’ behavior, the present study also focused on tourists’ perception of green packaging and branding. The survey research was carried out among 368 Serbian tourists. Results confirmed differences in eco-friendly attitudes between male and female tourists, as well as between travelers of different occupation statuses and monthly income. Moreover, findings pointed out that tourists’ age correlates positively with their eco-friendly attitudes and behavior. Interestingly, no significant differences were detected in the case of perception of green packaging and branding. Practical implications for destination marketers will be discussed in the paper.
