VFR Travel: A Sustainable Visitor Segment?

Tourism’s impact on the physical environment has been discussed for almost 50 years. Tourism components, such as transport, accommodation, and consumption of activities, consume energy. However, little is known about whether particular visitor segments consume less energy, as the general focus tends to be on tourism in its entirety. Yet, some forms of tourism generate more carbon emissions than other types. Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel presents characteristics that could make it a suitable segment for destinations to consider targeting. This conceptual research article considers VFR travel through a sustainable tourism lens. This research aimed to examine the profiles and characteristics of VFR travel to understand whether and to what extent VFR travel may be a segment that has a comparatively lower impact on the environment. As a conceptual research article, it offers a theoretical foundation for empirical studies through introducing new ideas and creating a conceptual framework.