This empirical study improved our understanding of how to simulate visitors’ pro-environmental behavior intentions (PEBIs) during interpretive marine turtle tours in Cyprus. Complexity theory was applied as a sufficient theoretical basis of the proposed configurational model that was tested using fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) as an innovative set theoretic approach. Four configurations—demographics, values, beliefs, and norms and attitudes—were used to explore causal recipes leading to both high and low PEBI scores. The findings highlighted the heterogeneity issue in predicting PEBIs, addressed by determining the positive or negative role of PEBI indicators along with attributes of other indicators in causal recipes. The fsQCA results of four configurations suggested 12 recipes for attaining high PEBI scores. Further insight was obtained via configurational modeling of visitors’ PEBIs during endangered species tours, which contributed to the current knowledge of tourism management in protected areas. Implications for practice and further research are discussed.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to gauge how tourism and hospitality students discern sustainability in the geographical context of the small island state of North Cyprus using systems theory and thinking framework. Design/methodology/approach This study used a qualitative approach and draws on data from focus group interviews with final year students enrolled in a tourism and hospitality program. Findings This study reveals that students lack a holistic understanding of sustainability and given this finding, the theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Originality/value In spite of the close linkages between tourism and sustainability and the fact that the United Nations designated 2017 as the “International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development,” education for sustainability in tourism has received relatively little attention. Furthermore, there is a gap in the literature in terms of what tourism students know about sustainability and sustainable development.

The current studies in the tourism-environmental domain often take a reductionist approach towards the complex issue of human behaviour that is criticized for its shortcomings. Therefore, to fill this gap, the authors developed and tested a theoretical model drawing on the complexity theory with emerging concepts, that is, dualistic-passion paradigm, and mindfulness notion to predict the potential source of pro-environmental behaviour. Following Fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) of a sample from visitors to marine turtles in Cyprus, the study found seven unique causal recipes that lead to a high level of pro-environmental behaviour. Implications and guidelines for further research are discussed.

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To find answers to the challenges linked with ecological well-being, policymakers and authorities now prefer the ecosystem-based approach, as the solutions inspired by nature may deflect from ecological collapse. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are rhapsodized both in practice and academia as a means to achieve sustainable development. However, NBS, which inherently is supposed to bring forth positive outcomes, may also lead to unsustainable turmoil. On the other hand, the majority of the studies about NBS are from Western countries and studies focusing on the paradoxical functionality of NBS are scant, especially in the Middle East. In an attempt to bridge this gap, the current study uses one of the largest blue artificial infrastructures in the Middle East as a case. Following the phenomenological interpretive approach, the authors argue that NBS may fabricate unintended problems when the complexity of the supra systems are overlooked. Theoretical and practical contributions are discussed.