Children and overtourism: a cognitive neuroscience experiment to reflect on exposure and behavioural consequences

Published in: Journal of Sustainable Tourism (2023)
DOI: 10.1080/09669582.2023.2278023

Overview

Children are often overlooked in tourism research, despite being directly impacted by tourism development. My latest co-authored study uses cognitive neuroscience methods to explore how children perceive and respond to overtourism and sustainable tourism scenarios at the World Heritage Site of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

By examining the physiological and emotional reactions of 397 young participants, this research uncovers critical insights into how children experience and interpret tourism-related challenges, offering new directions for inclusive and sustainable tourism planning.

Key Findings

  1. Children’s Perceptions of Overtourism:
    • Images of overtourism (e.g., overcrowding) elicit heightened physiological arousal, reflecting strong reactions to tourism-related challenges.
    • Despite these reactions, children express predominantly neutral emotions when confronted with overtourism scenarios.
  2. Sustainable Tourism Preferences:
    • Sustainable tourism scenarios also increase physiological arousal, though to a lesser extent than overtourism images.
    • Gender differences emerge, with girls showing lower levels of place attachment in sustainable tourism contexts.
  3. Nature Connectedness and Place Attachment:
    • Inner-city residents demonstrate lower levels of nature connectedness, while those living outside urban areas show a stronger connection to nature.
    • Positive emotions are positively linked to place attachment but negatively associated with nature connectedness and pro-environmental behavior.
  4. Neutrality in Older Children:
    • Older children and those from urban areas display a heightened sense of neutrality toward overtourism-related concerns.

Why This Matters

This study sheds light on the psychological and behavioral responses of a vulnerable group—children—within the context of overtourism. Its findings emphasize the need for:

  • Inclusive Tourism Development: Empowering children to contribute to sustainable tourism planning.
  • Innovative Research Approaches: Using neuroscience methods to deepen our understanding of visitor behaviors and attitudes.
  • Targeted Education and Engagement: Addressing urban-rural disparities in nature connectedness and environmental awareness among young populations.

Practical Implications

The research offers actionable recommendations for practitioners and policymakers:

  • Empower Children in Tourism Planning: Incorporate their voices and perspectives into destination management strategies.
  • Develop Tailored Educational Programs: Foster greater nature connectedness and pro-environmental behavior among children, especially in urban areas.
  • Promote Sustainable Tourism Imagery: Use visuals to inspire young audiences and encourage emotional connections with sustainable practices.

Keywords

Children, overtourism, neuroscience research, behavior, attitudes, sustainable tourism.

How to Cite This Research

If you reference this work, please use the following citation:

Ante Mandić, Ivana Pavlić, Barbara Puh, & Hugues Séraphin. (2023). Children and overtourism: a cognitive neuroscience experiment to reflect on exposure and behavioural consequences. Journal of Sustainable Tourism.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2023.2278023

Read the Full Paper

This article is open access! Read the complete study here: Taylor & Francis Online.

Your Voice Matters

What role can children play in shaping a more sustainable tourism future? Share your ideas and thoughts on creating a more inclusive and responsible tourism industry.

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