Tourist mobility and public transport use on excursions

Tourism destinations, particularly those characterized by mass tourism, face ongoing challenges in promoting public transport as a key component of destination sustainability and competitiveness. Public transport reduces dependence on private vehicles, enhances visitor mobility, and broadens the array of accessible attractions. This study, based on a survey conducted at Costa Daurada ( n = 1954), a Mediterranean coastal destination in South Catalonia, examines the determinants influencing visitors' choices between private vehicles and public transport for excursions. The multivariate probit model reveals a persistent preference for private vehicles, highlighting structural barriers to public transport adoption. The findings contribute to understanding how behavioural shifts and contextual factors impact tourist mobility choices and offer insights for promoting sustainable transportation. • Post-pandemic tourists show a strong preference for private vehicles on excursions. • Public transport and private vehicles are used complementarily, not as substitutes. • A multivariate probit model reveals key factors behind tourists' transport choices. • Perceived massification and trust in public spaces shape transport mode selection. • Findings support tailored transport policies for sustainable coastal destinations.