Introduction to the handbook on tourism and behaviour change
Date
2023
Authors
Ramkissoon, H.
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Ramkissoon, H.
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Book chapter
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Source details - Title: Handbook on Tourism and Behaviour Change, 2023 / Ramkissoon, H. (ed./s), Ch.1, pp.1-19
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Abstract
Tourism provides a hedonic context where people primarily seek pleasure when on holiday. People are seen as creatures of habits, our behaviours tend to get habitual. Tourism activities often have been evidenced to cause deleterious impacts on the planet and people’s health, well-being and quality of life when left uncontrolled. The COVID-19 global health pandemic and climate change crisis have accelerated calls for action requiring that global leaders bring transformative changes. This renewed focus on people and planetary health requires that the concept of behaviour change gets serious attention in tourism studies. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation presents tourism as an opportunity to contribute to sustainable development (UNWTO, 2022). A collaborative approach is required to bring this regenerative approach in tourism. This chapter sets the scene for the Handbook of Tourism and Behaviour Change. It discusses why it is important that we take time to understand and explore behaviours and behaviour change in tourism to contribute to a healthier society, environment and a better economy. The discussion elaborates on the design of behaviour change interventions to promote desired pro-social and pro-environmental behaviours among the host, guest and other stakeholders involved for transformative impacts, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the future of behaviour change in tourism. The emphasis is on why sustainable habits and new pro-sustainable behaviours need to be reinforced/ promoted. It also discusses the need to monitor behaviour change interventions for evidence of impact.
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Copyright 2023 Edward Elgar Publishing