Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Towards Climate Change Among Tourists: A Systematic Review

Climate change has profound impacts on tourists’ travel demands, travel decisions, travel experiences, and the development of the tourism industry. Consequently, understanding tourists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards climate change is important to the future development of tourism...

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Main Authors: Chunlan Guo, Yang Lyu, Peng Li, IokTeng Esther Kou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Tourism and Hospitality
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/6/1/32
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author Chunlan Guo
Yang Lyu
Peng Li
IokTeng Esther Kou
author_facet Chunlan Guo
Yang Lyu
Peng Li
IokTeng Esther Kou
author_sort Chunlan Guo
collection DOAJ
description Climate change has profound impacts on tourists’ travel demands, travel decisions, travel experiences, and the development of the tourism industry. Consequently, understanding tourists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards climate change is important to the future development of tourism. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the existing literature concerning tourists’ KAP towards climate change through a systematic review. A total of 76 articles were included to provide a comprehensive overview of tourists’ KAP towards climate change since the 1950s. This study identified a significant increase in relevant research output in recent years; however, it also found a noticeable geographical bias, with a concentration in Europe and North America. While tourists generally demonstrated a good understanding of climate change and its impact on tourism, they showed a lack of awareness regarding the environmental consequences of air travel and were reluctant to reduce air travel. Most tourists believed that governments should take the lead in addressing climate change, with only a minority recognizing their individual responsibility. Furthermore, the perceived threats of climate change directly influenced tourists’ travel decisions, prompting them to modify their travel plans, posing a challenge for tourist destinations. These findings can guide the development of policies related to climate education and sustainable tourism practices.
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spelling doaj-art-9f46187b768347fb9ec69cf8b984fb3c2025-08-20T02:43:09ZengMDPI AGTourism and Hospitality2673-57682025-02-01613210.3390/tourhosp6010032Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Towards Climate Change Among Tourists: A Systematic ReviewChunlan Guo0Yang Lyu1Peng Li2IokTeng Esther Kou3Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaCollege of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, ChinaFaculty of International Tourism and Management, City University of Macau, Macau, ChinaClimate change has profound impacts on tourists’ travel demands, travel decisions, travel experiences, and the development of the tourism industry. Consequently, understanding tourists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards climate change is important to the future development of tourism. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the existing literature concerning tourists’ KAP towards climate change through a systematic review. A total of 76 articles were included to provide a comprehensive overview of tourists’ KAP towards climate change since the 1950s. This study identified a significant increase in relevant research output in recent years; however, it also found a noticeable geographical bias, with a concentration in Europe and North America. While tourists generally demonstrated a good understanding of climate change and its impact on tourism, they showed a lack of awareness regarding the environmental consequences of air travel and were reluctant to reduce air travel. Most tourists believed that governments should take the lead in addressing climate change, with only a minority recognizing their individual responsibility. Furthermore, the perceived threats of climate change directly influenced tourists’ travel decisions, prompting them to modify their travel plans, posing a challenge for tourist destinations. These findings can guide the development of policies related to climate education and sustainable tourism practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/6/1/32global warmingsustainable tourismsystematic reviewcarbon footprintclimate education
spellingShingle Chunlan Guo
Yang Lyu
Peng Li
IokTeng Esther Kou
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Towards Climate Change Among Tourists: A Systematic Review
Tourism and Hospitality
global warming
sustainable tourism
systematic review
carbon footprint
climate education
title Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Towards Climate Change Among Tourists: A Systematic Review
title_full Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Towards Climate Change Among Tourists: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Towards Climate Change Among Tourists: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Towards Climate Change Among Tourists: A Systematic Review
title_short Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Towards Climate Change Among Tourists: A Systematic Review
title_sort knowledge attitudes and practices kap towards climate change among tourists a systematic review
topic global warming
sustainable tourism
systematic review
carbon footprint
climate education
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/6/1/32
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