Understanding Sustainable Tourist Behaviour Through a Critical Perspective of Motivation, Personality, Attitude, and Environment

Review Of Literature

The prioritization of travel motivations is a central focus in academic study on tourist behavior. Academic researchers have directed their attention towards enhancing the methods employed in order to ascertain the factors influencing the selection of a certain holiday destination by a given demographic (Larsen, Øgaard, & Brun, 2011). The behavior of tourists is shaped by various aspects, including motivating factors, visitor attitude, and situational circumstances (Venkatesh, 2006). The examination of traveller motivation has been conducted in order to address the challenges associated with selecting a vacation destination. The primary focus of study on tourist motivation is centered around consumer psychology, as highlighted by Swarbrooke and Horner (2007). The concept proposed by Maslow is widely employed in the field of motivation research. Psychological needs, safety needs, social needs, belongingness needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs are seen as fundamental or hierarchical necessities. As stated by McLeod (2018), the completion of the lowest level is a prerequisite for the attainment of subsequent levels. Tourists may seek opportunities for relaxation and alleviation of both material and psychological stress. Vuuren and Slabbert (2012) cite Crompton (1979a) who defined a set of “seven social psychological factors” that serve as motivators for engaging in tourism. The objectives of individuals include seeking an escape from their usual environment, engaging in self-discovery, actively participating in society, seeking acclaim and recognition, rather than regressing, strengthening familial bonds, and establishing social connections.