Tourists’ Circular Behavior and Its Determinants: Pathways Toward Sustainable Destinations

The study addresses the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world applications by advocating for a comprehensive approach to circular tourism from the perspective of travelers, who are the industry’s key drivers. The study examined tourists’ application of circular economy principles at destinations and identified the determinants influencing their circular behavior. Qualitative research methods, including observation and interview techniques, were used for data collection. Thematic analysis was conducted to analyze and interpret the data. The findings revealed that the tourists engaged in the 4 R’s- recycle, reduce, reuse, and refuse principles of circular economy practices at the destinations. The results also exhibited that personal, behavioral, environmental/external, and monetary determinants influenced their circular behavior. The outcomes of the study yield valuable insights for policymakers, destination managers, and industry stakeholders, aiding the development of targeted policies that enhance the sustainability of tourism destinations, making them more resilient and competitive in the long run.