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The Carbon Impact of International Tourists to an Island Country

Author

Listed:
  • Kang-Ting Tsai

    (Program of Landscape and Recreation, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Rd., Taichung 402, Taiwan)

  • Tzu-Ping Lin

    (Department of Architecture, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan 701, Taiwan)

  • Yu-Hao Lin

    (Program of Landscape and Recreation, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Rd., Taichung 402, Taiwan)

  • Chien-Hung Tung

    (Program of Landscape and Recreation, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Rd., Taichung 402, Taiwan)

  • Yi-Ting Chiu

    (Department of Leisure and Recreation, National Formosa University, 64 Wunhua Rd., Yunlin 632, Taiwan)

Abstract

Taiwan, located in the East Asia, is an island country with limited natural resources. To increase economic growth and reduce CO 2 emission levels, the Taiwanese government is promoting a sustainable low-carbon tourism industry. This study investigated the CO 2 emission coefficient of tourist activities and identified the CO 2 emissions (CE) patterns of international visitors to Taiwan. The total CO 2 emission per visitor without considering international transportation was estimated using a questionnaire. The total CO 2 emission comprises the CO 2 emission of transportation, the CO 2 emission of accommodation, and the CO 2 emission of tourist activities. The results suggest that more convenient public transportation might help to reduce the total CO 2 emission. Without considering CO 2 emission from international air travel, in contrast to many non-island countries where CO 2 emission of transportation is the main contributor to total CO 2 emission, the CO 2 emission of accommodation was the main contributor to total CO 2 emission in Taiwan. To reduce the CO 2 emission of accommodation, the Taiwanese government should improve the energy-use efficiency of devices in tourist hotels and promote bed-and-breakfast accommodations with low CO 2 emission coefficients. Visitors enjoyed culinary journeys and shopping, both of which are activities that contribute highly to the CO 2 emission of tourist activities because of their high CO 2 emission coefficients.

Suggested Citation

  • Kang-Ting Tsai & Tzu-Ping Lin & Yu-Hao Lin & Chien-Hung Tung & Yi-Ting Chiu, 2018. "The Carbon Impact of International Tourists to an Island Country," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:1386-:d:144011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Hsiao-Hsien Lin & Sheng-Shyong Lee & Yuan-Shing Perng & Shih-Tsung Yu, 2018. "Investigation about the Impact of Tourism Development on a Water Conservation Area in Taiwan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-15, July.
    6. Kai Wang & Chang Gan & Yan Ou & Haolong Liu, 2019. "Low-Carbon Behaviour Performance of Scenic Spots in a World Heritage Site," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-23, July.

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