Exploring sustainable experiences in tourism

Abstract

This study explores the vaguely defined concept of sustainable experiences. Specifically, it questions how perceived experience value at tourism destinations can be enhanced through sustainable experience dimensions. Although experiences and sustainable tourism are intrinsically interlinked, knowledge of sustainable experiences and how they can be included in experience design to enhance perceived value is limited. Within a lake context, local stakeholders, researchers and students were invited to actively identify and co-design sustainable experience dimensions using, among others, interviews with residents and tourists. Our findings suggest four sustainable experience dimensions: interaction with the natural environment; interaction with the cultural environment; insights and views; and lake-based activities. The study advocates for future research and management to better incorporate sustainable experience dimensions to holistically enhance tourists' perceived experience value and destination sustainability.

20 years of Nordic tourism experience research: a review and future research agenda

“…Sustainability has been highly prioritised in Nordic tourism research for decades, most recently from the perspective of emotional experiences (e.g. Breiby et al, 2020). Future research might address the Nordic tendency to promote sustainability as interesting and enjoyable experiences in the context of eco-tourism (cf.…”

Sustainability and Tourism Marketing: A Bibliometric Analysis of Publications between 1997 and 2020 Using VOSviewer Software

“…The development of tourism in local communities, far from mass tourism, needs to provide an experience that raises awareness of the need to preserve communities' traditions [15], their surroundings, and the practice of sustainable tourism [22,23]. Being truly committed to sustainability is imperative for destinations [42], and being perceived as sustainable by visitors is paramount [12].…”

“…Thus, environmental conservation and sustainability in tourism became relevant topics, giving rise to several new research fields [11,12], therefore contributing to a consistent development of destinations [13]. For tourist organizations, being perceived as sustainable is not just a competitive advantage, but a key factor for business survival and development [12,14,15]. Being perceived as sustainable can lead to positive attitudes towards organizations and effective increases in customer-company commitment and identification [2,16].…”

“…Studies regarding sustainability have captured scholars' interest, mainly in tourism research [7,11,15,17,18], probably due to the need to preserve heritage and other facilities in potential tourist destinations [13]. Tourism is one of the core sectors in terms of job creation Tourism growth might not be compatible with sustainability goals [4].…”

The Integration of Campsites in Cultural Landscapes: Architectural Actions on the Catalan Coast, Spain

“…In terms of landscape integration and its identity preservation, the campsite has proven to be one of the most appropriate tourism models due to its natural qualities and its low carbon accommodations [53]: for its rational nature management beyond its limits [54], for the fact of promoting a shared way of living outdoors and for its little constructive footprint [22]. Thus, it could be considered as an opportunity for the future, a resource for the historical recognition and conservation of the cultural heritage of each place, as well as for facilitating the sustainable activation and regeneration of local dynamics [55]. Under the initial idea that a campsite design is a landscape design project, the research is based on four objectives that this settlement should achieve in order to strengthen itself as a paradigm of sustainable tourism and a way of preserving the cultural heritage:…”