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Can the Quality of Hospitality Services Play a Role in Sustainable Equestrian Tourism in Slovenia? Mediations, Effects, and Implications

Author

Listed:
  • Lazar Pavić

    (Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Maribor, Pivola 10, 2311 Hoče, Slovenia
    Economics Institute a. d. Belgrade, Kralja Milana 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Ivana Blešić

    (Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
    Institute of Sports, Tourism and Service, South Ural State University, 76 Lenin Ave., Chelyabinsk 454080, Russia)

  • Marko D. Petrović

    (Institute of Sports, Tourism and Service, South Ural State University, 76 Lenin Ave., Chelyabinsk 454080, Russia
    Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić” SASA, Djure Jakšića 9, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Milan M. Radovanović

    (Institute of Sports, Tourism and Service, South Ural State University, 76 Lenin Ave., Chelyabinsk 454080, Russia
    Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić” SASA, Djure Jakšića 9, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Jernej Prišenk

    (Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Maribor, Pivola 10, 2311 Hoče, Slovenia)

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between the quality of hospitality services and sustainable equestrian tourism development in Slovenia. The focus will be on the relations between equestrian tourism motivations, hospitality services quality, overall service quality, equestrian tourists’ satisfaction, and behavioral intentions. The target population was equestrian tourists who stayed in one of 30 tourism farms in Slovenia and used both accommodation and food and beverage services. Face-to-face surveys with convenience sampling were used for the data collection. The results show that equestrian tourism motivations are positively associated with both hospitality services quality and the overall service quality in equestrian tourism. Moreover, the overall service quality in equestrian tourism is positively related to equestrian tourists’ satisfaction, while equestrian tourists’ satisfaction is positively related to behavioral intentions. In addition, accommodation service quality and food and beverage service quality both mediate the association between equestrian tourism motivation and overall satisfaction. The study provides both theoretical and practical implications. For one thing, it fills the research gaps present in the literature. In addition, it gives practical guidelines to farmers and tourism practitioners regarding equestrian tourism development as one of the popular areas of sustainable tourism development in rural settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Lazar Pavić & Ivana Blešić & Marko D. Petrović & Milan M. Radovanović & Jernej Prišenk, 2019. "Can the Quality of Hospitality Services Play a Role in Sustainable Equestrian Tourism in Slovenia? Mediations, Effects, and Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:21:p:6155-:d:283470
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jernej Prišenk & Jernej Turk, 2022. "Assessment of Concept between Rural Development Challenges and Local Food Systems: A Combination between Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis and Econometric Modelling Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-10, March.
    2. Shiran Lin & He Zhu & Jiaming Liu & Fengjiao Li & Chenrouyu Zheng, 2025. "Why Do Tourists Visit the Food Market? A Host–Guest Sharing Model Based on the Theory of Self-Regulation," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-35, February.
    3. Nur Jannah Mohd Esa & Hairul Nizam Ismail, 2024. "A Comprehensive Review of Wellness through Equestrian Tourism: Resources, Operator Awareness, and Innovative Approaches for Development," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(11), pages 2951-2958, November.

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