Can Social Media Be a Tool for Increasing Tourists’ Environmentally Responsible Behavior?

Abstract

For the sustainable development of a tourism destination, environmentally responsible behavior (ERB) is a vital issue. This study developed an implicated model based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework showing the usages of social media by tourists regarded as a stimulus; environmental awareness, and place attachment generated from using social media regarded as an organism; and tourists' ERB thereby bringing behavioral intension regarded as responses. The integrated tourists' ERB model was experimentally tested using survey data from 467 Bangladeshi tourists by SEM-based methodology. The study found that social media has a beneficial effect on environmental awareness and place attachment, negatively impacting ERB. Furthermore, environmental awareness and place attachment has a favorable impact on ERB. This article discusses theoretical discoveries as well as practical consequences.

Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of social media on awareness' socio-environmental and sustainable consumption: Consolidating lessons from the pandemic

“… Ali et al (2022) highlight that there is a perception of the negative environmental effects of the pollution of various plastic debris and the use of social media to raise awareness among consumers, which are influenced to reduce the use of plastic pollutants and thus lead to sustainable plastic consumption. For Haque et al (2021) , social media has a good effect on environmental awareness and attachment to a place, negatively impacting environmentally responsible behavior.…”

A ten-year review analysis of the impact of digitization on tourism development (2012–2022)

“…Research on low-carbon travel modes is frequently concerned with tourism sustainability, and big data marketing technology can supply tourists with more low-carbon transport schemes, thus increasing tourists' environmental consciousness (Ma et al, 2021). As a common medium for cultural communication, social media can raise tourists' awareness of environmental protection (Haque et al, 2021).…”

“…The interaction between users and destinations and the positive interaction between residents and tourists will be affected by the development of digital technology. Virtual technology can also encourage public participation in preserving and promoting cultural heritages (Caciora et al, 2021), while digital media can help tourism businesses improve public relations and social participation (Camilleri, 2018;Haque et al, 2021). Increased smart tourism destinations optimize the potential for these communities to involve the destinations' residents and impact their lives due to the improved urban tourism experience.…”

“…Also, ICT tourism apps influence the ultimate perception of older tourists' travel experiences, stimulate tourists' interest in world cultural heritage sites (WCHS), and increase contact and understanding between tourists and destinations (Ramos-Soler et al, 2019). Social media can help tourists increase their knowledge of environmental protection, which increases the participation of tourists and citizens and helps formulate sustainable goals (Haque et al, 2021).…”

“…Participation Briciu et al (2020),Permatasari et al (2020),Muthuraman et al (2019),Camilleri (2018),Caciora et al (2021),Haque et al (2021),Bonacini et al (2018),Koukopoulos and Koukopoulos (2019),Giaccone and Bonacini (2019). stakeholder…”