Determinants of young vacationers' recycling and conservation behavior when traveling

Abstract

We investigated key cognitive determinants that predict young vacationers' recycling and water/energy/local resources conservation intention when traveling. We also examined the role of gender in this intention formation, used structural equation modeling, and tested for metric invariance. Results showed that environmental values, concern, and awareness significantly contribute to the generation of young vacationers' intention to engage in recycling and to conserve water, energy, and local resources at a destination. In addition, environmental values had the strongest relationship with recycling and conservation intention, and gender significantly moderated the impact of environmental awareness on their intention. Overall, the findings inform researchers and practitioners about young vacationers' environmentally sustainable tourism behavior.