Environmental sustainability briefing - The effect on tourists and their choices - Case Malta
Oinonen, Oonariina; Arumets, Gerda (2015)
Oinonen, Oonariina
Arumets, Gerda
HAAGA-HELIA ammattikorkeakoulu
2015
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201502021821
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201502021821
Tiivistelmä
This study explored how sustainable Malta is as a tourist destination, mainly focusing on the question from the tourist’s angle. The aim of the study was to brief a small group of tourists prior to the trip and to investigate how this affected tourists’ decisions in matters regarding sustainability, particularly environmental sustainability. The aim was to determine how the briefing affected the group directly after the trip as well as after a period six months. The most visible factors that tourists took into consideration included recycling, water consumption and electricity usage. The thesis was commissioned by Ministry of Tourism, EU Affairs & Policy Development Unit. The subject was perceived as topical, since the Scandinavian market and its interest in Malta as tourist destination was of current interest.
The group investigated for this study took a recreational trip to Mellieha where the practical part of the study took place during the period of 7th - 15th May 2014. The data were collected by means of interviews and participant observations. The study indicated that the briefing raised positive thoughts and also awareness towards having a sustainable vacation. Even though the number of group members was low, the results still indicated that such briefings could be useful in other destinations where tourists’ presence is actively seen. The theoretical framework of the study concentrated on negative and positive sustainability impacts in Malta. The purpose was to discuss current issues, measures taken previously as well as what could be done for improving the sustainability in the country.
The group investigated for this study took a recreational trip to Mellieha where the practical part of the study took place during the period of 7th - 15th May 2014. The data were collected by means of interviews and participant observations. The study indicated that the briefing raised positive thoughts and also awareness towards having a sustainable vacation. Even though the number of group members was low, the results still indicated that such briefings could be useful in other destinations where tourists’ presence is actively seen. The theoretical framework of the study concentrated on negative and positive sustainability impacts in Malta. The purpose was to discuss current issues, measures taken previously as well as what could be done for improving the sustainability in the country.