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An approach to sustainable development from tourists` perspective. Empirical evidence in Romania

Author

Listed:
  • Dan-Cristian Dabija

    (Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca)

  • Raluca Babut

    (Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca)

Abstract

Developing businesses in compliance with the principles of sustainability has been a tough challenge in our century. A planned, integrated and properly coordinated orientation towards environment protection, involvement in activities of society and local communities, supporting and streamlining its own economic activities are the core elements whereby a business can obtain long-term harmonious development, a synergic evolution and a competitive advantage. The major problem, however, lies in the poor understanding of sustainable development directions and their difficult transposition into a business’ current activity, in its proper funding and in finding consumers willing to pay the price of sustainable products and services. Whereas the literature deals with the application of dimensions of sustainable development in terms of holiday or business destinations, local communities and/or regional or national authorities, the management of tourist businesses etc, the study of tourist consumers’ perception has been quite infrequent. As a matter of fact, few studies set to highlight how the dimensions of sustainable development implemented by tourist units are properly perceived by consumers and how these contribute to building and increasing consumers’ satisfaction. Tourism, tourist business or tourist destination may be referred to as sustainable when they are so maintained and developed that they remain viable even infinitely without affecting environment, social, economic or cultural dimensions of the analyzed area (Butler, 1999). To overcome these shortcomings, the authors appealed to experimental research in an attempt to highlight tourists’ perception of the three dimensions of sustainable development as they are implemented by tourist accommodation units in one of the biggest cities of Romania. Using a structural approach and appealing to econometrical modeling of 850 valid answers, the authors show how sustainable development actions conducted by tourist accommodation units may turn into genuine stimuli for building satisfaction. The conclusions reveal important managerial and scientific implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Dan-Cristian Dabija & Raluca Babut, 2013. "An approach to sustainable development from tourists` perspective. Empirical evidence in Romania," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 15(Special 7), pages 617-633, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:aes:amfeco:v:3:y:2013:i:special7:p:617-633
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    Cited by:

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    2. Delia Popescu & Monica Maria Coros & Iuliana Pop & Cristina Bolog, 2022. "The Green Deal – Dynamizer of Digitalization in Tourism: The Case of Cluj-Napoca Smart City," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 24(59), pages 110-110.
    3. Iuliana Pop & Adrian Kanovici & Gratiela Ghic & Madalina Andrei, 2016. "The Economic Effects of the Mega Sport Events on Tourism in the BRICS Countries Case," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 18(S10), pages 960-960, November.
    4. Bianca Tescașiu & Gheorghe Epuran & Alina Simona Tecău & Ioana Bianca Chițu & Janez Mekinc, 2018. "Innovative Forms of Economy and Sustainable Urban Development—Sharing Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-18, October.
    5. Razvan-Catalin Dobrea & Aurel Marin & Cristina Dima & Madalina-Ioana Moncea, 2023. "The Relationship Between the Tourism Industry and Sustainable Development Goals Word Cloud Analysis," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 25(S17), pages 1131-1131, November.
    6. Nicolae Al. Pop & Steluta Todea & Cristina-Veronica Partenie & Cristina Ott, 2020. "Stakeholders’ Perception Regarding Sustainable Universities," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 22(54), pages 330-330, April.
    7. Dan-Cristian Dabija & Brândușa Mariana Bejan & Claudiu Pușcaș, 2020. "A Qualitative Approach to the Sustainable Orientation of Generation Z in Retail: The Case of Romania," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-20, July.
    8. Adriana Dutescu & Adriana Florina Popa & Andreea Gabriela Ponorîca, 2014. "Sustainability of the Tourism Industry, Based on Financial Key Performance Indicators," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 16(Special 8), pages 1048-1048, August.
    9. Daniel Adrian Gardan & Ionel Dumitru & Iuliana Petronela Gardan & Irina Elena Andronie & Cristian Uta & Mihai Andronie, 2019. "Integrating the Principles of Green Marketing by Using Big Data. Good Practices," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 21(50), pages 258-258, February.
    10. Catalin POSTELNICU, & Dan Cristian DABIJA, 2016. "Challenges And Development Prospects For Tourism In Romania," EcoForum, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Romania, Faculty of Economics and Public Administration - Economy, Business Administration and Tourism Department., vol. 5(1), pages 1-10, January.
    11. Gheorghe Epuran & Bianca Tescașiu & Alina-Simona Tecău & Ioana-Simona Ivasciuc & Adina-Nicoleta Candrea, 2020. "Permaculture and Downshifting-Sources of Sustainable Tourism Development in Rural Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, December.
    12. Dan-Cristian Dabija & Brandusa Mariana Bejan, 2018. "Green DIY store choice among socially responsible consumer generations," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 1-12, December.
    13. Gheorghe Epura & Bianca Tesca?iu & Raluca Dania Todor & Karin-Andreea Sasu, 2017. "Responsible Consumption – Source of Competitive Advantages and Solution for Tourist Protection," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 19(45), pages 447-447, May.
    14. Catalina Mitra Crisan & Dan-Cristian Dabija & Vasile Dinu, 2015. "Social Entrepreneurship in Romania: Significance and Models," Montenegrin Journal of Economics, Economic Laboratory for Transition Research (ELIT), vol. 11(2), pages 65-77.
    15. Camelia Grădinaru & Daniel-Rareș Obadă & Ioan-Alexandru Grădinaru & Dan-Cristian Dabija, 2022. "Enhancing Sustainable Cosmetics Brand Purchase: A Comprehensive Approach Based on the SOR Model and the Triple Bottom Line," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-22, October.
    16. Zhe Cheng & Tong Xiao & Chen Chen & Xiong Xiong, 2022. "Evaluation of Scientific Research in Universities Based on the Idea of Education for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-18, February.
    17. repec:aud:audfin:v:21:y:2019:i:50:p:90 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. Alexandru Avram & Ana-Cristina Nicolescu & Costin Daniel Avram & Roxana Loredana Dan, 2019. "Financial Communication in the Context of Corporate Social Responsibility Growth," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 21(52), pages 623-623, August.
    19. Dan-Cristian Dabija & Raluca Băbuț, 2019. "Enhancing Apparel Store Patronage through Retailers’ Attributes and Sustainability. A Generational Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-14, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Tourist business; sustainable development; hotels; sustainable tourism; environment protection; consumer satisfaction;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism
    • M30 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Marketing and Advertising - - - General
    • M31 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Marketing and Advertising - - - Marketing
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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