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Could Smart Tourists Be Sustainable and Responsible as Well? The Contribution of Social Networking Sites to Improving Their Sustainable and Responsible Behavior

Author

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  • Shiwei Shen

    (Ningbo University-University of Angers Joint Institute/Sino-European Institute of Tourism and Culture, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China)

  • Marios Sotiriadis

    (Ningbo University-University of Angers Joint Institute/Sino-European Institute of Tourism and Culture, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China)

  • Qing Zhou

    (Ningbo University-University of Angers Joint Institute/Sino-European Institute of Tourism and Culture, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China)

Abstract

A key strategic aim of tourism destinations within the smart tourism paradigm is to achieve efficient, responsible and sustainable use of tourism resources. This aim can be achieved by promoting the appropriate practices and making tourists co-managers, co-designers and co-creators of tourism experiences. This paper argues that smart tourism destinations should manage their resources in a sustainable way and that smart technologies can make their contribution. Could a smart technology such as social media/social networking sites make a contribution to sustainable tourism within the smart tourism paradigm? To address this research question, a project was carried out to explore the perceptions and attitudes of Chinese tourist consumers about the contribution of social networking sites to adopting a sustainable and responsible behavior within the context of a smart tourism framework. First a research framework encompassing three hypotheses related to the influence of social networking sites at the three main stages of the travel cycle/tourist journey was designed. An exploratory quantitative research was then carried out using the online survey technique. The study’s findings indicate that the use of social networking sites influences the smart tourists at all three stages on adoption of sustainable and responsible behavior, the most significant influence is at the first two stages. The article is completed by discussing the related conclusions and management implications in the smart tourism management framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Shiwei Shen & Marios Sotiriadis & Qing Zhou, 2020. "Could Smart Tourists Be Sustainable and Responsible as Well? The Contribution of Social Networking Sites to Improving Their Sustainable and Responsible Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:4:p:1470-:d:321339
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    3. Shiwei Shen & Marios Sotiriadis & Yuwen Zhang, 2020. "The Influence of Smart Technologies on Customer Journey in Tourist Attractions within the Smart Tourism Management Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Youssef El Archi & Brahim Benbba & Moaaz Kabil & Lóránt Dénes Dávid, 2023. "Digital Technologies for Sustainable Tourism Destinations: State of the Art and Research Agenda," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-21, August.
    5. Garyfallos Fragidis & Kyriakos Riskos & Iordanis Kotzaivazoglou, 2022. "Designing the Tourist Journey for the Advancement of Sustainable Tourist Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-20, August.
    6. Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin & Ian Sutherland & Seul Ki Lee, 2020. "Determinants of Smart Tourist Environmentally Responsible Behavior Using an Extended Norm-Activation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-15, June.
    7. Mateusz Naramski, 2020. "The Application of ICT and Smart Technologies in Polish Museums—Towards Smart Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-27, November.
    8. Alsaad, Abdallah & Alam, Md. Moddassir & Lutfi, Abdalwali, 2023. "A sensemaking perspective on the association between social media engagement and pro-environment behavioural intention," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    9. Option Takunda Chiwaridzo & Reason Masengu, 2023. "The impact of social media branding and technology adoption on green tourism: the role of tourist behavior as a mediator in developing countries post-COVID-19—context of Zimbabwe," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-14, December.
    10. Vitor Rodrigues & Celeste Eusébio & Zélia Breda, 2023. "Enhancing sustainable development through tourism digitalisation: a systematic literature review," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 13-45, March.
    11. Md. Moddassir Alam & Abdalwali Lutfi & Abdallah Alsaad, 2023. "Antecedents and Consequences of Customers’ Engagement with Pro-Environmental Consumption-Related Content on Social Media," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-16, February.
    12. Mercedes Raquel García Revilla & Javier Perogil Burgos & Carmen Sarah Einsle & Olga Martinez Moure, 2022. "Proposal of New Strategies for Smart Tourism Destinations in the Challenging New Reality: A Commitment to the Technology–Sustainability Binomial," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-15, May.
    13. Hyung Min Lee & Jinwoo Park & Yoonjae Nam, 2020. "A Sustainable Solution to Overtourism in the Social Media Era: An Exploratory Analysis on the Roles and Functions of Place–Visitor Relationship (PVR)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-15, April.
    14. Alexandros Apostolakis & Shabbar Jaffry & Markos Kourgiantakis, 2020. "Examination of Individual Preferences for Green Hotels in Crete," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-17, October.
    15. Mengyi Lin & Fu-Yuan Li & Haibin Zhou, 2020. "A Research on the Combination of Oblique Photography and Mobile Applications Based on the Sustainable Development of Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, April.

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