EduHeart We Reflect. We Write. We Transform Lives. Publications
Publications / International Journal of Innovative and Multidisciplinary Research / Vol. 1, No. 2 (2026)
Articles

Exploring Tourists’ Experiences and Satisfaction with Sustainable Tourism Practices in Local Destinations

International Journal of Innovative and Multidisciplinary Research · Vol. 1, No. 2 (2026) · pp. 123-133 · Published 2026-08-31

First page of this article
First page

Abstract

This qualitative research examined how tourists view sustainable tourism in local places and their satisfaction with it. The author examined how tourists perceive and respond to sustainability programs and initiatives related to environmental, social, cultural, and community issues, and used a qualitative design to better understand tourists' views and needs. The researchers used purposeful sampling to select participants with relevant experience in sustainable tourism (i.e., having visited local destinations with sustainable tourism practices). The researchers collected data through a documentation research method, including analysis of visit-related documents, records, tourism materials, reports, and other information related to sustainable tourism. The results show that tourists generally evaluate sustainable tourism positively and attribute this to a clean environment, effective waste management programs, the preservation of natural resources, the development of local culture, and doing no harm to local communities. Moreover, tourists value initiatives that allow them to engage in responsible tourism and communicate meaningfully with local people. However, limitations such as inadequate sustainable facilities, inconsistent implementation, overcrowding, pollution, traffic, and insufficient sustainability information were also encountered and were found to affect tourists’ experiences and satisfaction. In conclusion, implementing sustainable tourism regulatory practices makes tourism experiences more authentic and worthwhile when they are regularly applied and integrated into destination management practices. Thus, it is essential to improve environmental management, active local participation, cultural preservation, tourist education, and the development of eco-oriented facilities.

Publication record

DOI
https://doi.org/10.66206/eduheart.ijimr.27
ISSN
3116-5990
Published
2026-08-31
License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Copyright
© 2026 International Journal of Innovative and Multidisciplinary Research
Publisher
EduHeart Knowledge Network and Publishing, Inc.

Contributors

References

  1. Asmelash, A. G., & Kumar, S. (2019). The structural relationship between tourist satisfaction and sustainable heritage tourism development in Tigrai, Ethiopia. Heliyon, 5(3), e01335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01335
  2. Aydın, B., & Alvarez, M. D. (2020). Understanding the tourists’ perspective of sustainability in cultural tourist destinations. Sustainability, 12(21), 8846. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218846
  3. Bernini, C., Emili, S., & Vici, L. (2021). Are mass tourists sensitive to sustainability? Tourism Economics, 27(7). https://doi.org/10.1177/1354816620923212
  4. Breiby, M. A., Duedahl, E., Øian, H., & Ericsson, B. (2020). Exploring sustainable experiences in tourism. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 20(4), 335–351. https://doi.org/10.1080/15022250.2020.1748706
  5. Huete-Alcocer, N., López-Ruiz, V. R., & Grigorescu, A. (2019). Measurement of satisfaction in sustainable tourism: A cultural heritage site in Spain. Sustainability, 11(23), 6774. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236774
  6. Moliner-Tena, M. Á., Monferrer-Tirado, D., Ferreres-Bonfill, J. B., & Rodríguez-Artola, R. M. (2021). Destination sustainability and memorable tourism experiences. Sustainability, 13(21), 11996. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111996
  7. Palacios-Florencio, B., Santos-Roldán, L., Berbel-Pineda, J. M., & Castillo-Canalejo, A. M. (2021). Sustainable tourism as a driving force of the tourism industry in a post-Covid-19 scenario. Social Indicators Research, 158, 991–1011. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-021-02735-2