Tourism and Hospitality Students' Views on Responsible Travel
Kivimäki, Johanna (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024052917465
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024052917465
Tiivistelmä
Traveling has become increasingly popular in the last couple of decades, and people participate in it in growing numbers. Although the tourism industry benefits the host countries' economy, there are also negative effects. As the industry currently operates, tourism is especially a heavy burden on the climate.
The objective of the thesis is to find out how current tourism and hospitality students view responsible travel, how well they understand the concept, and how the industry could develop in a more sustainable direction, in their opinion. Their views are valuable and important because they will work in the industry in a few years and possibly help shape its sustainable future. Their views can also differ from other young adults, as they have been introduced to responsible travel and aspects of sustainability in their studies. The research does not target a certain age group, but most of the participants are most likely young adults between 18-30.
The theoretical background goes over responsible travel and the reasons behind it, climate change, and post-pandemic travel. Young adult profiles, attitudes, and motivations to travel are also introduced, as well as ways of being a responsible traveler.
The research was conducted using the quantitative method. The data from the target group was collected using a questionnaire, which was created using the online tool Webropol. The link to the questionnaire was shared in student WhatsApp groups, directly to suitable participants, and via a few posters left at the author’s campus. The questionnaire was open for 10 days between the end of April and the beginning of May 2024.
The questionnaire received 33 responses. The participating students viewed responsible travel as at least somewhat important. However, responsible travel was also considered expensive, difficult, and overwhelming. The participants also demonstrated a generally good understanding of the concept of responsible travel and a strong willingness or interest to travel more responsibly in the future.
These findings provide insight for needed improvement in the industry’s sustainable development, such as clearer information about responsible travel options for the consumer. They also reveal a demand for responsible travel options among young adults. Considering, that the participants thought responsible travel to be expensive, difficult, and overwhelming, their motivation to travel more responsibly in the future was surprisingly very high.
The objective of the thesis is to find out how current tourism and hospitality students view responsible travel, how well they understand the concept, and how the industry could develop in a more sustainable direction, in their opinion. Their views are valuable and important because they will work in the industry in a few years and possibly help shape its sustainable future. Their views can also differ from other young adults, as they have been introduced to responsible travel and aspects of sustainability in their studies. The research does not target a certain age group, but most of the participants are most likely young adults between 18-30.
The theoretical background goes over responsible travel and the reasons behind it, climate change, and post-pandemic travel. Young adult profiles, attitudes, and motivations to travel are also introduced, as well as ways of being a responsible traveler.
The research was conducted using the quantitative method. The data from the target group was collected using a questionnaire, which was created using the online tool Webropol. The link to the questionnaire was shared in student WhatsApp groups, directly to suitable participants, and via a few posters left at the author’s campus. The questionnaire was open for 10 days between the end of April and the beginning of May 2024.
The questionnaire received 33 responses. The participating students viewed responsible travel as at least somewhat important. However, responsible travel was also considered expensive, difficult, and overwhelming. The participants also demonstrated a generally good understanding of the concept of responsible travel and a strong willingness or interest to travel more responsibly in the future.
These findings provide insight for needed improvement in the industry’s sustainable development, such as clearer information about responsible travel options for the consumer. They also reveal a demand for responsible travel options among young adults. Considering, that the participants thought responsible travel to be expensive, difficult, and overwhelming, their motivation to travel more responsibly in the future was surprisingly very high.