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Could Smart Tourists Be Sustainable and Responsible as Well? The Contribution of Social Networking Sites to Improving Their Sustainable and Responsible Behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Shiwei Shen

    (Ningbo University-University of Angers Joint Institute/Sino-European Institute of Tourism and Culture, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China)

  • Marios Sotiriadis

    (Ningbo University-University of Angers Joint Institute/Sino-European Institute of Tourism and Culture, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China)

  • Qing Zhou

    (Ningbo University-University of Angers Joint Institute/Sino-European Institute of Tourism and Culture, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China)

Abstract

A key strategic aim of tourism destinations within the smart tourism paradigm is to achieve efficient, responsible and sustainable use of tourism resources. This aim can be achieved by promoting the appropriate practices and making tourists co-managers, co-designers and co-creators of tourism experiences. This paper argues that smart tourism destinations should manage their resources in a sustainable way and that smart technologies can make their contribution. Could a smart technology such as social media/social networking sites make a contribution to sustainable tourism within the smart tourism paradigm? To address this research question, a project was carried out to explore the perceptions and attitudes of Chinese tourist consumers about the contribution of social networking sites to adopting a sustainable and responsible behavior within the context of a smart tourism framework. First a research framework encompassing three hypotheses related to the influence of social networking sites at the three main stages of the travel cycle/tourist journey was designed. An exploratory quantitative research was then carried out using the online survey technique. The study’s findings indicate that the use of social networking sites influences the smart tourists at all three stages on adoption of sustainable and responsible behavior, the most significant influence is at the first two stages. The article is completed by discussing the related conclusions and management implications in the smart tourism management framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Shiwei Shen & Marios Sotiriadis & Qing Zhou, 2020. "Could Smart Tourists Be Sustainable and Responsible as Well? The Contribution of Social Networking Sites to Improving Their Sustainable and Responsible Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:4:p:1470-:d:321339
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    Cited by:

    1. Ben Haobin Ye & Huiyue Ye & Rob Law, 2020. "Systematic Review of Smart Tourism Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Youssef El Archi & Brahim Benbba & Moaaz Kabil & Lóránt Dénes Dávid, 2023. "Digital Technologies for Sustainable Tourism Destinations: State of the Art and Research Agenda," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-21, August.
    3. Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin & Ian Sutherland & Seul Ki Lee, 2020. "Determinants of Smart Tourist Environmentally Responsible Behavior Using an Extended Norm-Activation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-15, June.
    4. Mateusz Naramski, 2020. "The Application of ICT and Smart Technologies in Polish Museums—Towards Smart Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-27, November.
    5. Vitor Rodrigues & Celeste Eusébio & Zélia Breda, 2023. "Enhancing sustainable development through tourism digitalisation: a systematic literature review," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 13-45, March.
    6. Huseyin Arasli & Maryam Abdullahi & Tugrul Gunay, 2021. "Social Media as a Destination Marketing Tool for a Sustainable Heritage Festival in Nigeria: A Moderated Mediation Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-27, May.
    7. Chuanmei Chen & Normalisa Md Isa & Norkhazzaina Salahuddin, 2025. "Determinants of Travel Experience-Sharing Behavior on Chinese Social Media Platforms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-21, April.
    8. Alexandros Apostolakis & Shabbar Jaffry & Markos Kourgiantakis, 2020. "Examination of Individual Preferences for Green Hotels in Crete," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-17, October.
    9. Mengyi Lin & Fu-Yuan Li & Haibin Zhou, 2020. "A Research on the Combination of Oblique Photography and Mobile Applications Based on the Sustainable Development of Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, April.
    10. Shiwei Shen & Marios Sotiriadis & Yuwen Zhang, 2020. "The Influence of Smart Technologies on Customer Journey in Tourist Attractions within the Smart Tourism Management Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-18, May.
    11. Chulmo Koo & Seunghun Shin & Ulrike Gretzel & Zheng Xiang, 2025. "AI-powered smart tourism 2.0: A 10-year retrospective and updated model," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 35(1), pages 1-17, December.
    12. Sorcaru, Iulian Adrian & Muntean, Mihaela-Carmen & Manea, Ludmila-Daniela & Nistor, Rozalia, 2024. "From social norms to pro-environmental behavior: The role of destination social responsibility for families traveling with children," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    13. Alsaad, Abdallah & Alam, Md. Moddassir & Lutfi, Abdalwali, 2023. "A sensemaking perspective on the association between social media engagement and pro-environment behavioural intention," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    14. Option Takunda Chiwaridzo & Reason Masengu, 2023. "The impact of social media branding and technology adoption on green tourism: the role of tourist behavior as a mediator in developing countries post-COVID-19—context of Zimbabwe," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-14, December.
    15. Garyfallos Fragidis & Kyriakos Riskos & Iordanis Kotzaivazoglou, 2022. "Designing the Tourist Journey for the Advancement of Sustainable Tourist Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-20, August.
    16. Marija Bratić & Anđelina Marić Stanković & Danijel Pavlović & Tatjana Pivac & Sanja Kovačić & Tamara Surla & Slobodan Čerović & Sonja Zlatanov, 2025. "New Era of Tourism: Innovative Transformation Through Industry 4.0 and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-22, April.
    17. Jiawei Li & J. Andres Coca‐Stefaniak & Thi Hong Hai Nguyen & Alastair M. Morrison, 2024. "Sustainable tourist behavior: A systematic literature review and research agenda," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(4), pages 3356-3374, August.
    18. Md. Moddassir Alam & Abdalwali Lutfi & Abdallah Alsaad, 2023. "Antecedents and Consequences of Customers’ Engagement with Pro-Environmental Consumption-Related Content on Social Media," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-16, February.
    19. Mercedes Raquel García Revilla & Javier Perogil Burgos & Carmen Sarah Einsle & Olga Martinez Moure, 2022. "Proposal of New Strategies for Smart Tourism Destinations in the Challenging New Reality: A Commitment to the Technology–Sustainability Binomial," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-15, May.
    20. Hyung Min Lee & Jinwoo Park & Yoonjae Nam, 2020. "A Sustainable Solution to Overtourism in the Social Media Era: An Exploratory Analysis on the Roles and Functions of Place–Visitor Relationship (PVR)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-15, April.

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