Influencing consumer perceptions in green tourism: criteria and strategies for effective destination branding.

As the global shift towards sustainable tourism intensifies, the need for effective destination branding strategies becomes increasingly important. This study investigates and prioritizes these strategies to enhance consumer perceptions of sustainable tourism destinations, with a focus on Guilin. Th...

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Main Authors: Tianchang Chen, Gao Liu, Xin Sui, Yasir Ahmed Solangi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319254
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author Tianchang Chen
Gao Liu
Xin Sui
Yasir Ahmed Solangi
author_facet Tianchang Chen
Gao Liu
Xin Sui
Yasir Ahmed Solangi
author_sort Tianchang Chen
collection DOAJ
description As the global shift towards sustainable tourism intensifies, the need for effective destination branding strategies becomes increasingly important. This study investigates and prioritizes these strategies to enhance consumer perceptions of sustainable tourism destinations, with a focus on Guilin. The research examines five key criteria, twenty sub-criteria, and nine strategic approaches essential for destination branding. The primary objective is to shape consumer perceptions and promote green tourism marketing in the region. Through the application of Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), key criteria and strategies are identified and evaluated. Results from the fuzzy AHP highlight communication and brand transparency (GM3) as the most critical criterion, stressing the necessity of transparent communication channels. Environmental sustainability (GM1) ranks as the second most important criterion, emphasizing the importance of eco-friendly practices and the preservation of Guilin's natural environment. Stakeholder collaboration and partnerships (GM4) is identified as the third key criterion. The fuzzy TOPSIS analysis reveals the most effective strategies, with strategic collaborations and partnerships (STM9), eco-friendly infrastructure development (STM1), and energy efficiency measures (STM4) emerging as the top approaches. These strategies have significant potential to influence consumer perceptions positively towards green tourism marketing.
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spelling doaj-art-e37b562466d843549adb3319f1bfa2d32025-08-20T03:52:48ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01202e031925410.1371/journal.pone.0319254Influencing consumer perceptions in green tourism: criteria and strategies for effective destination branding.Tianchang ChenGao LiuXin SuiYasir Ahmed SolangiAs the global shift towards sustainable tourism intensifies, the need for effective destination branding strategies becomes increasingly important. This study investigates and prioritizes these strategies to enhance consumer perceptions of sustainable tourism destinations, with a focus on Guilin. The research examines five key criteria, twenty sub-criteria, and nine strategic approaches essential for destination branding. The primary objective is to shape consumer perceptions and promote green tourism marketing in the region. Through the application of Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), key criteria and strategies are identified and evaluated. Results from the fuzzy AHP highlight communication and brand transparency (GM3) as the most critical criterion, stressing the necessity of transparent communication channels. Environmental sustainability (GM1) ranks as the second most important criterion, emphasizing the importance of eco-friendly practices and the preservation of Guilin's natural environment. Stakeholder collaboration and partnerships (GM4) is identified as the third key criterion. The fuzzy TOPSIS analysis reveals the most effective strategies, with strategic collaborations and partnerships (STM9), eco-friendly infrastructure development (STM1), and energy efficiency measures (STM4) emerging as the top approaches. These strategies have significant potential to influence consumer perceptions positively towards green tourism marketing.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319254
spellingShingle Tianchang Chen
Gao Liu
Xin Sui
Yasir Ahmed Solangi
Influencing consumer perceptions in green tourism: criteria and strategies for effective destination branding.
PLoS ONE
title Influencing consumer perceptions in green tourism: criteria and strategies for effective destination branding.
title_full Influencing consumer perceptions in green tourism: criteria and strategies for effective destination branding.
title_fullStr Influencing consumer perceptions in green tourism: criteria and strategies for effective destination branding.
title_full_unstemmed Influencing consumer perceptions in green tourism: criteria and strategies for effective destination branding.
title_short Influencing consumer perceptions in green tourism: criteria and strategies for effective destination branding.
title_sort influencing consumer perceptions in green tourism criteria and strategies for effective destination branding
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319254
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