CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf
Behind the Scenes of Pro-Environmental Tourist Behavior: Exploring Barriers, Drivers, and Antecedents
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Social Sciences, Technology and Arts, Business Administration and Industrial Engineering.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9797-5725
2025 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

This mixed-method dissertation explores the barriers, drivers, and antecedents of pro-environmental behavior in tourism, with a focus on Generations Y and Z. Based on interviews with Generation Z consumers, the first study identifies primarily low motivation, but also limited knowledge, and restricted opportunities as key barriers to pro-environmental travel engagement. It proposes structural and informational interventions to make eco-friendly options more appealing and accessible. The second study delves into Reddit discussions, uncovering that while users recognize the link between tourism and climate change, low self-efficacy and ten perceived barriers hinder important behaviors. The findings provide insights into which tourism choices are important for consumers when striving to minimize their climate impact. The third study draws on survey data to compare Generations Y and Z on psychological constructs influencing their pro-environmental behavior. The results show that Generation Y reports higher levels of psychological empowerment and perceived social norms. Perceived behavioral control is identified as the strongest predictor of personal norms, followed by psychological empowerment and awareness of consequences. The study also reveals a striking gap: while 65% of respondents report strong personal norms to protect the environment, less than 3% of the total sample chose to learn more about eco-friendly travel when given the opportunity in the online setting. The fourth study, also survey-based, examines how subjective knowledge, awareness of consequences, environmental concern, and psychological empowerment influence personal norms and behavioral intentions. A moderation analysis finds that environmental concern has a stronger impact among individuals with higher objective environmental knowledge. The dissertation presents key lessons learned during the PhD journey, offering a discussion of strengths, areas for improvement, and integrated insights from all studies.

Abstract [sv]

Denna avhandling som är baserad på en blandad metodansats undersöker barriärer, drivkrafter, och faktorer som påverkar miljövänligt beteende inom turism med fokus på Generation Y och Z. Den första studien, som bygger på intervjuer med konsumenter från Generation Z, identifierar framför allt låg motivation, men även begränsad kunskap och begränsade möjligheter som centrala hinder för engagemang i miljövänligt resande. Studien föreslår strukturella och informativa åtgärder för att göra miljövänliga alternativ mer tilltalande och tillgängliga. Den andra studien undersöker diskussioner på Reddit och avslöjar att även om användare inser kopplingen mellan turism och klimatförändringar, hindras viktiga beteenden av låg självförmåga och tio upplevda barriärer. Resultaten ger insikter om vilka val inom turism som är viktiga för konsumenter som strävar efter att minimera sin klimatpåverkan. Den tredje studien bygger på enkätdata och jämför Generation Y och Z utifrån psykologiska faktorer som påverkar miljövänligt beteende. Resultaten visar att Generation Y rapporterar högre nivåer av psykologisk egenmakt och upplevda sociala normer. Upplevd beteendekontroll identifieras ha störst påverkan på personliga normer, följt av psykologisk egenmakt och medvetenhet om konsekvenser. Studien visar också ett signifikant gap: medan 65% av respondenterna rapporterar starka personliga normer för att skydda miljön, valde mindre än 3% av det totala urvalet att lära sig mer om miljövänligt resande när de fick möjlighet i den digitala miljön. Den fjärde studien, som också bygger på enkätdata, undersöker hur subjektiv kunskap, medvetenhet om konsekvenser, miljöoro och psykologisk egenmakt påverkar personliga normer och beteendeintentioner. En moderationsanalys visar att miljöoro har större effekt bland individer med hög objektiv miljökunskap. Avhandlingen presenterar centrala lärdomar från doktorandresan och innehåller en diskussion om styrkor, förbättringsområden och integrerade insikter från samtliga studier. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Luleå: Luleå University of Technology, 2025.
Series
Doctoral thesis / Luleå University of Technology 1 jan 1997 → …, ISSN 1402-1544
Keywords [en]
Sustainable Tourism, Pro-Environmental Behavior, Generation Y, Generation Z, Goal-Framing Theory, Motivation-Opportunity-Ability Framework, Norm-Activation Model, Value-Belief-Norm Theory, Self-Efficacy
National Category
Business Administration
Research subject
Industrial Marketing
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-112456ISBN: 978-91-8048-825-9 (print)ISBN: 978-91-8048-826-6 (electronic)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-112456DiVA, id: diva2:1953183
Public defence
2025-06-16, A1123, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, 13:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2025-04-23 Created: 2025-04-17 Last updated: 2025-05-22Bibliographically approved
List of papers
1. Drivers and inhibitors of gen Z’s proenvironmental travel engagement: exploring MOA factors and goal frames
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Drivers and inhibitors of gen Z’s proenvironmental travel engagement: exploring MOA factors and goal frames
2025 (English)In: Young Consumers, ISSN 1747-3616, E-ISSN 1758-7212, Vol. 26, no 7, p. 55-73Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Purpose

This study aims to gain insights into the drivers and inhibitors of proenvironmental behaviors (PEB) among Gen Z tourists through the lens of the goal-framing theory (GFT) and the motivation–opportunity–ability (MOA) framework. It also aims to propose interventions for promoting proenvironmental tourist behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was adopted, building on 20 in-depth interviews with Swedish teenagers. The thematic data analysis was guided by a conceptual model integrating MOA and GFT.

FindingsThe findings indicate that teenagers primarily lack motivation for eco-friendly travel. Their ability is hindered by limited knowledge, while low involvement in travel decisions and unsupportive destination norms restrict their opportunities. Overcoming these challenges requires interventions that boost engagement in PEB through informational and structural strategies, making eco-friendly options more affordable, efficient, enjoyable and desirable.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to combine MOA and GFT, providing an in-depth exploration of the drivers and inhibitors of proenvironmental travel among Gen Z tourists.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2025
Keywords
Generation Z, Proenvironmental behavior, Goal-framing theory, MOA framework
National Category
Business Administration
Research subject
Industrial Marketing
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-110988 (URN)10.1108/YC-06-2024-2096 (DOI)001366002400001 ()2-s2.0-85210554982 (Scopus ID)
Note

Validerad;2025;Nivå 1;2025-03-13 (u4);

Funder: R&D Fund of the Swedish Tourism and Hospitality Industry (2019–233);

Fulltext license: CC BY

Available from: 2024-12-09 Created: 2024-12-09 Last updated: 2025-04-17Bibliographically approved
2. Perceptions of climate change and tourism: A deep dive into the forums of Reddit
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Perceptions of climate change and tourism: A deep dive into the forums of Reddit
2025 (English)In: Tourism and Hospitality Research, ISSN 1467-3584, E-ISSN 1742-9692, Vol. 25, no 2, p. 262-273Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Tourism contributes to climate change through CO2 emissions, and stakeholders must work together to reduce the negative impact of the industry. Therefore, this study explores online travel discussions on Reddit to investigate consumers’ beliefs regarding self-efficacy and barriers to climate change mitigation. The study relies on combining machine learning and thematic analysis. The results show that the intersection of tourism and climate change fosters extensive online engagement, indicating that many users are aware that travel and climate change are connected. However, self-efficacy was low overall, or not manifested in users’ contributions. Further, at least 10 barriers to climate change mitigation were identified. Suggestions on how to overcome such barriers and increase efficacy beliefs are discussed, and directions for future research are given.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Sage Publications, 2025
Keywords
Tourism, climate change, self-efficacy, barriers, topic modeling, Reddit
National Category
Peace and Conflict Studies Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified Climate Science
Research subject
Industrial Marketing
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-101606 (URN)10.1177/14673584231204548 (DOI)001074694800001 ()2-s2.0-85172679988 (Scopus ID)
Note

Validerad;2025;Nivå 1;2025-04-29 (u4);

Fulltext license: CC BY

Available from: 2023-10-09 Created: 2023-10-09 Last updated: 2025-04-29Bibliographically approved
3. A Tale of Two Generations, Their Environmental Attitudes, and Combined Signs of the Green Gap
Open this publication in new window or tab >>A Tale of Two Generations, Their Environmental Attitudes, and Combined Signs of the Green Gap
(English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
National Category
Business Administration
Research subject
Industrial Marketing
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-112454 (URN)
Available from: 2025-04-17 Created: 2025-04-17 Last updated: 2025-04-28Bibliographically approved
4. Knowing, Caring, Sacrificing: What Drives Pro-Environmental Choices in Tourism?
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Knowing, Caring, Sacrificing: What Drives Pro-Environmental Choices in Tourism?
(English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
National Category
Business Administration
Research subject
Industrial Marketing
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-112455 (URN)
Available from: 2025-04-17 Created: 2025-04-17 Last updated: 2025-04-28Bibliographically approved

Open Access in DiVA

fulltext(2224 kB)86 downloads
File information
File name FULLTEXT01.pdfFile size 2224 kBChecksum SHA-512
9922d97c32e9c5aec07c2d8a18256861f5fff146c325a6e7cda7d28db7ee566f07ce4fc8a24048bfd7214f3c4e4edb81a0ac7958988a73215334d32d08ff0bf1
Type fulltextMimetype application/pdf
The full text will be freely available from 2026-11-22 12:00
Available from 2026-11-22 12:00

Authority records

Nilsson Vestola, Jenny

Search in DiVA

By author/editor
Nilsson Vestola, Jenny
By organisation
Business Administration and Industrial Engineering
Business Administration

Search outside of DiVA

GoogleGoogle Scholar
Total: 86 downloads
The number of downloads is the sum of all downloads of full texts. It may include eg previous versions that are now no longer available

isbn
urn-nbn

Altmetric score

isbn
urn-nbn
Total: 809 hits
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf