An Empirical Examination of the Form of Relationship Between Sustainable Tourism Experiences and Satisfaction

Abstract

This paper problematizes the terms "sustainable tourism and satisfaction". It conceptualizes sustainable tourism as a future trend in tourism and argues that although sustainable tourism and satisfaction frequently function as a means of tourist evaluation and experience for attractions, their social significance extends far beyond current tourism planning. This paper uses empirical material from 642 tourists who had sustainable tourism experiences and gathers samples from several natural resource conservation zones in Taiwan. If tourists feel a sense of novelty about a tourist destination, they may increase their sustainable experience and further enhance their willingness and satisfaction toward sustainable tourism. In addition, sustainable tourism studies suggest that novelty enhances emotional excitement, which in turn leads to more overall valuable evaluations and higher satisfaction. This paper tests both direct and indirect mechanisms simultaneously using structural equation modeling methods. The results support the predictions.

Exploring sustainable experiences in tourism

“…The first three sustainable experience dimensions support previous findings that sustainable experiences are linked to interaction with the natural and cultural environment providing, for example, joy, novelty and awe emotions (Chen et al, 2011;Liu et al, 2016;Lu et al, 2017;Poudel & Nyaupane, 2013). The findings also confirm earlier studies emphasizing that memorable experiences stem from people interacting with their surroundings (Jantzen, 2011;Prebensen et al, 2012), and the individual's sense of "small self" in big nature (Jantzen, 2011;Lu et al, 2017).…”

“…Recently scholars have turned their attention to sustainable experiences as a means of obtaining competitive advantages while enhancing destination sustainability and experience value (Chen et al, 2011;Liu et al, 2016;Lu et al, 2017;Poudel & Nyaupane, 2013;Smit & Melissen, 2018). Chen et al (2011) demonstrate the importance of tourist experiences related to sustainability issues and suggest that in the long run, environmental awareness may lead to changes in tourists' travel intentions.…”

“…Chen et al (2011) demonstrate the importance of tourist experiences related to sustainability issues and suggest that in the long run, environmental awareness may lead to changes in tourists' travel intentions. Liu et al (2016) focus on the relationship between sustainable experiences and satisfaction in natural resource conservation zones. They find that if tourists feel a sense of "novelty" about a tourist destination, it can increase their sustainability experience and further enhance willingness and satisfaction towards sustainable tourism.…”

“…To our knowledge, there is no clear definition of the concept of sustainable experiences. Even if empirical studies (Chen et al, 2011;Liu et al, 2016;Lu et al, 2017;Poudel & Nyaupane, 2013) emphasize the importance of linking tourist experiences to certain sustainability issues, the concept is diffuse and vague. Our study adds to previous research by combining memorable experiences and future concerns (proxy of sustainability issues) into the four specific sustainable experience dimensions of interaction with the natural environment, interaction with the cultural environment, insights and views, and lakebased activities (or contextual activities).…”

“…In view of the need to sustainably develop tourism destinations, it has become critical to design destinations in ways that mutually facilitate experiences to enhance visitors' perceived experience value and destination sustainability. However, it is only recently that tourism research has turned its attention to sustainable experiences as a potential means to obtain competitive advantage, while enhancing destination sustainability and perceived experience value (Chen et al, 2011;Liu et al, 2016;Lu et al, 2017;Poudel & Nyaupane, 2013). To our knowledge, this concept has only been vaguely engaged without a proper definition or empirical operationalization.…”