SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: PERCEPTIONS AND BEHAVIOUR OF LOCAL AND FOREIGN TOURISTS IN LITHUANIA

摘要

Tourism is one of the consumption areas causing significant changes in the social and natural environments. Not always, these changes have positive outcomes. In order to avoid tourism sector's negative effects, it is necessary to pay more attention not only to positive changes of this industry, but also to assess citizens' (tourists') knowledge and behaviour regarding sustainable tourism. Tourists are those making final decision and acting in one or the other way.The aim of this study is to examine and analyse local residents' and foreign tourists' attitude to sustainable tourism and their travelling and resting habits. In total 422 respondents have participated in the survey (212 Lithuanian and 210 foreign tourists).The survey results showed that 80% of the Lithuanian and 94% of foreign respondents have heard the term "sustainable tourism". Environmental protection was the main feature attributed to the sustainable tourism by the respondents. The foreign tourists, in comparison to the Lithuanian, were more often aware about sustainable tourism (x2=30.93, p<0.001). Foreign tourist more often were sorting waste (x2=93.254, p<0.001), were more likely to save energy and water (x2=38.851, p<0.001) while traveling and having rest. Higher income, higher education, elder age, and knowledge of sustainable tourism determined significantly higher respondents' consideration of sustainability criteria and more environmental-friendly behaviour while travelling. Hence, raising awareness on sustainable tourism and financial support of such travel forms are the most important for promotion and development of sustainable tourism.