Consumer attitudes and preferences on holiday carbon footprint information in the Netherlands

Who Cares About Product Sustainability Information at the Moment of Purchase? Consumer Evidence from Three Countries

“…In order to understand consumers’ behaviour, studies thus need to focus on analysing the relationship between green intentions and actual buying behaviour. (Eijgelaar et al ., ; Lin and Huang, ).…”

“…To address the weaknesses of self‐reported behaviour in consumption models, scholars of several disciplines have used the constructs of purchase intention (PI) and more lately sustainable purchase intention (SPI) and also green customer purchase intention in analysing sustainable consumption, as intention is seen to precede actual buying behaviour (de Carvalho et al ., , see also Chekima et al ., ). In addition to personal values, a vast number of factors that may affect SPI – or, more generally, sustainable consumer behaviour – have been identified, including demographic characteristics, product‐related factors and information (quality, characteristics, subsidies and promotions, eco‐labels), market‐related factors (price, availability), consumers’ trust, and cultural and institutional factors (peer opinion, brand attitudes) (Chekima et al ., ; Eijgelaar et al ., ; Lin and Huang, ; Shao et al ., ; Watkins et al ., ). However, the link between intention and behaviour can be far from straightforward (Young et al ., ; Chatzidakis et al ., ).…”

Carbon labels on restaurant menus: do people pay attention to them?

“…The tourism and hospitality industry has adopted a variety of carbon labelling schemes in accommodation, transport (Anderson, Mastrangelo, Chase, Kestenbaum, & Kolodinsky, 2013;Buckley, 2002Buckley, , 2012Buckley, , 2013Font & Buckley, 2001), tour packages (Eijgelaar, Nawijn, Barten, Okuhn, & Dijkstra, 2016), and destination management (Cerqua, 2017;Kozak & Nield, 2004;Zielinski & Botero, 2015). For example, the British carrier Flybe (2018) uses an environmental label indicating carbon dioxide emission per flight.…”

“…The hotel association Fuerte Hoteles (2018) states carbon dioxide emissions per guest night (G€ ossling & Buckley, 2016). Carbon information provided to consumers for specific products has the potential of altering consumer preferences and redirecting their attention to more environmentally friendly options (Eijgelaar et al, 2016).…”

The signalling effect of eco-labels in modern coastal tourism

“…This programme has been operating in Europe since 1987 by the FEE (Font, 2002) and it meets all the criteria for an independent, trustworthy and objective environmental seal (Mihalič, 2000). Over the years it has become a highly recognised eco-label (Eijgelaar, Nawijn, Barten, Okuhn & Dijkstra, 2016) with the dual aim of preventing environmental damage and attracting tourism . It challenges local authorities and beach operators to achieve high standards in the following four categories: i) environmental education and information (e.g., litter removal and community participation); ii) water quality (e.g., bathing water quality is monitored by means of weekly or fortnightly water sampling); iii) environmental management; iv) safety and services (Blue Flag, 2015).…”