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The Nexus between Sustainable Behaviour of Tourists from Generation Z and the Factors That Influence the Protection of Environmental Quality

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  • Gina Ionela Butnaru

    (Department of Management, Marketing and Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 700505 Iasi, Romania)

  • Valentin Niţă

    (Department of Management, Marketing and Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 700505 Iasi, Romania)

  • Cristiana Melinte

    (Department of Management, Marketing and Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, 700505 Iasi, Romania)

  • Alexandru Anichiti

    (Department of Business Administration, Ştefan cel Mare University of Suceava, 13 University Street, 720229 Suceava, Romania)

  • Geanina Brînză

    (Department of Business Administration, Ştefan cel Mare University of Suceava, 13 University Street, 720229 Suceava, Romania)

Abstract

In a context in which tourism is considered to favour the degradation of the environment, it is important to promote forms of travel with low environmental impact. Globally, studies have shown a good understanding and increased receptivity to the practice of sustainable forms of travel among tourists. Therefore, this study proposes an analysis of the nexus between sustainable behaviour of tourists from Generation Z and the factors that influence the protection of environmental quality. The research methodology included the development and application of a questionnaire on a sample of 492 tourists belonging to Generation Z, with travel experience. The results showed nexus among the analysed factors and the Cronbach Alpha score for the latent variables: cultural factors (α = 0.769), personal factors (α = 0.829), psychological factors (α = 0.809), technological factors (α = 0.800), sustainable behaviour of young tourists (α = 0.910), social factors (α = 0.857) and conservation of the environmental quality (α = 0.906). The hypothesis regarding the testing of tourists’ sustainable behaviour in nexus with the protection of the environment quality was confirmed, even if the results of testing the nexus between the social factors and sustainable behaviour of Generation Z Romanian tourists could not be considered statistically significant. However, the study represents a contribution to the literature in a field concerned with this aspect of sustainability and interest, which is constantly growing, and for which, at least until now, there have been no studies in the literature pertaining to Romanian space.

Suggested Citation

  • Gina Ionela Butnaru & Valentin Niţă & Cristiana Melinte & Alexandru Anichiti & Geanina Brînză, 2022. "The Nexus between Sustainable Behaviour of Tourists from Generation Z and the Factors That Influence the Protection of Environmental Quality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:19:p:12103-:d:924389
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alina Petronela Pricope Vancia & Codruța Adina Băltescu & Gabriel Brătucu & Alina Simona Tecău & Ioana Bianca Chițu & Liliana Duguleană, 2023. "Examining the Disruptive Potential of Generation Z Tourists on the Travel Industry in the Digital Age," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-19, May.
    2. Mihail Ovidiu Tănase & Puiu Nistoreanu & Răzvan Dina & Bogdan Georgescu & Virgil Nicula & Cosmin Nicolae Mirea, 2023. "Generation Z Romanian Students’ Relation with Rural Tourism—An Exploratory Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-21, May.

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