IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i2p710-d1569326.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Mariculture in Natural Environments: Tourists’ Attitudes Towards Aquaculture During Marine Tours in Oban, Scotland

Author

Listed:
  • Mausam Budhathoki

    (Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
    Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark)

  • Alexandra Pounds

    (Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK)

  • Jad Abi Younes

    (Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK)

  • Anastasios Baltadakis

    (LAMAR S.A., 851 01 Sgourou, Greece)

  • David C. Little

    (Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK)

Abstract

Aquaculture and tourism can both be important industries for economic development, particularly in isolated geographies endowed with natural beauty. However, spatial conflict can arise, particularly along scenic coastlines, such as that in Oban, Scotland. This area is notable for the frequent overlap between marine tours and cage culture sites, with tours passing by or near these aquaculture locations. This study aims to understand whether tourists who encounter aquaculture operations during these tours have positive attitudes toward aquaculture–tourism integration, which refers to the favourable perception and acceptance of the coexistence of aquaculture and tourism activities, and whether this exposure influences their intention to consume locally farmed aquatic products. A face-to-face survey was conducted to recruit 200 tourists who experienced marine tours in Oban, Scotland. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified three types of tourists based on tourism motivation: (1) Multiple motivations, (2) “Relaxers”, and (3) “Outgoing nature enthusiasts”. Among the three tourist segments, the “Relaxers” were particularly unfamiliar with the concept of farming aquatic food. In general, the majority of tourists were positive about being exposed to aquaculture during marine tours. The results of the structural equation modelling analysis indicated that attitudes towards being exposed to aquaculture during marine tours mediate the relationship between attitudes towards aquaculture and the intention to eat locally farmed aquatic food. Motivational tourism factors, socialisation, and learning positively and significantly influenced attitudes towards being exposed to aquaculture during marine tours. Compared to age, gender, education, income, and travel frequency, only tourists’ dietary patterns significantly influenced behavioural intention. The findings suggest that aquaculture might serve as a potential site for social knowledge exchange, which might be crucial not only for tourism to be successful but also for promoting aquaculture’s social acceptability. The results can be used to inform policymakers, marketers, and aquaculture/tourism practitioners to promote sustainable aquaculture tourism in Scotland or similar sites where tourism and aquaculture coexist.

Suggested Citation

  • Mausam Budhathoki & Alexandra Pounds & Jad Abi Younes & Anastasios Baltadakis & David C. Little, 2025. "Mariculture in Natural Environments: Tourists’ Attitudes Towards Aquaculture During Marine Tours in Oban, Scotland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:2:p:710-:d:1569326
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/2/710/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/2/710/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Elisabeth Kastenholz & Maria João Carneiro & Celeste Eusébio, 2018. "Diverse socializing patterns in rural tourist experiences – a segmentation analysis," Current Issues in Tourism, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(4), pages 401-421, March.
    2. Roberts, James A., 1996. "Green Consumers in the 1990s: Profile and Implications for Advertising," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 217-231, July.
    3. Davide Menozzi & Giovanni Sogari & Cristina Simeone & Mikołaj Czajkowski & Wojciech Zawadzki & Pascale Bazoche & Sterenn Lucas & Cristina Mora & Margrethe Aanesen, 2023. "Positive versus negative information: What is really shifting consumers’ intention to eat Norwegian salmon? Evidence from three European countries," Post-Print hal-04573596, HAL.
    4. José Francisco Perles-Ribes & Ana Rámon-Rodríguez & Martín Sevilla Jiménez & María Jesús Such-Devesa & Patricia Aranda-Cuellar, 2023. "Aquaculture in tourist destinations: the need to consider economic aspects in environmental impact studies," Current Issues in Tourism, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(22), pages 3671-3685, November.
    5. Outeiro, Luis & Villasante, Sebastian & Oyarzo, Hugo, 2018. "The interplay between fish farming and nature based recreation-tourism in Southern Chile: A perception approach," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 32(PA), pages 90-100.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Andreas Falke & Nadine Schröder & Claudia Hofmann, 2022. "The influence of values in sustainable consumption among millennials," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 92(6), pages 899-928, August.
    2. Matteo Migheli, 2021. "Green purchasing: the effect of parenthood and gender," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(7), pages 10576-10600, July.
    3. Grégoire Wallenborn & Catherine Rousseau & Karine Thollier, 2006. "Détermination de profils de ménages pour une utilisation plus rationnelle de l’energie," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/192217, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    4. Bolaños-Valencia, Ingrid & Villegas-Palacio, Clara & López-Gómez, Connie Paola & Berrouet, Lina & Ruiz, Aura, 2019. "Social perception of risk in socio-ecological systems. A qualitative and quantitative analysis," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 1-1.
    5. Hsu, Chia-Lin & Chang, Chi-Ya & Yansritakul, Chutinart, 2017. "Exploring purchase intention of green skincare products using the theory of planned behavior: Testing the moderating effects of country of origin and price sensitivity," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 145-152.
    6. Zou, Lili Wenli & Chan, Ricky Y.K., 2019. "Why and when do consumers perform green behaviors? An examination of regulatory focus and ethical ideology," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 113-127.
    7. Ahmed Moustapha Mfokeu & Elie Virgile Chrysostome & Jean-Pierre Gueyie & Olivier Ebenezer Mun Ngapna, 2023. "Consumer Motivation behind the Use of Ecological Charcoal in Cameroon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-22, January.
    8. Gonçalves, Helena Martins & Lourenço, Tiago Ferreira & Silva, Graça Miranda, 2016. "Green buying behavior and the theory of consumption values: A fuzzy-set approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(4), pages 1484-1491.
    9. Jaiswal, Deepak & Kant, Rishi, 2018. "Green purchasing behaviour: A conceptual framework and empirical investigation of Indian consumers," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 60-69.
    10. Pakvalit Kurkoon & Daranee Pimchangthong & Veera Boonjing, 2015. "A Conceptual Framework for Individual Green Information Technology Consumption and its Impact," Journal of Business & Management (COES&RJ-JBM), , vol. 3(3), pages 388-396, July.
    11. Carmen Berné-Manero & Marta Pedraja-Iglesias & Pilar Ramo-Sáez, 2017. "Socially responsible markets involved in the consumer-organization identification process," International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, Springer;International Association of Public and Non-Profit Marketing, vol. 14(2), pages 179-196, June.
    12. Nadine E. van der Waal & Frans Folkvord & Rachid Azrout & Corine S. Meppelink, 2022. "Can Product Information Steer towards Sustainable and Healthy Food Choices? A Pilot Study in an Online Supermarket," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-17, January.
    13. Jana Hojnik & Mitja Ruzzier & Tatiana S. Manolova, 2020. "Sustainable development: Predictors of green consumerism in Slovenia," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(4), pages 1695-1708, July.
    14. Maria Rodrigues & João F. Proença & Rita Macedo, 2023. "Determinants of the Purchase of Secondhand Products: An Approach by the Theory of Planned Behaviour," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-18, July.
    15. Nenita B. Nagarit, DBA & Susana C. Bautista, EdD & Ferdinand C. Somido, PhD & Pedrito Jose V. Bermudo, PhD & Antonio D.Yango, PhD & Leomar S. Galicia, PhD, 2018. "Transforming Online Negative Blogs in the Use of Credit Cards in Electronics Transactions into Constructive Action: Basis of Creating Business Spend Analyzer Model," Journal of Business & Management (COES&RJ-JBM), , vol. 6(1), pages 66-83, January.
    16. Leary, R. Bret & Vann, Richard J. & Mittelstaedt, John D. & Murphy, Patrick E. & Sherry,, John F., 2014. "Changing the marketplace one behavior at a time: Perceived marketplace influence and sustainable consumption," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(9), pages 1953-1958.
    17. Daniel Baier & Theresa Maria Rausch & Timm F. Wagner, 2020. "The Drivers of Sustainable Apparel and Sportswear Consumption: A Segmented Kano Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-21, April.
    18. Yotam Rosner & Zohara Amitay & Amotz Perlman, 2022. "Consumer's attitude, socio-demographic variables and willingness to purchase green housing in Israel," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 5295-5316, April.
    19. Vilma Tamuliene & Egle Kazlauskiene & Lina Pileliene, 2016. "Ecologically-Conscious Consumer Purchases in Lithuania," Montenegrin Journal of Economics, Economic Laboratory for Transition Research (ELIT), vol. 12(4), pages 87-96.
    20. Jinsoo Hwang & Hyunjoon Kim, 2019. "Consequences of a green image of drone food delivery services: The moderating role of gender and age," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(5), pages 872-884, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:2:p:710-:d:1569326. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.