Travel behaviour based approach towards sustainable tourist mobility planning

Abstract

The study explores the current travel patterns of tourists and the factors that influence their mobility choices, with the aim of developing sustainable solutions that minimize negative impacts on the environment and promote economic and social benefits for the local community. The mixed-methods approach that includes a survey of tourists, interviews with key stakeholders, and an analysis of secondary data sources. The findings indicate that tourists in Visakhapatnam tend to rely heavily on private vehicles for transportation, and that factors such as cost, convenience, and safety play a significant role in their travel decisions. Based on these findings, the authors propose a set of recommendations for sustainable tourist mobility planning that emphasize the promotion of public transportation, the development of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and the integration of innovative technologies into the transport system. The study concludes that a travel behaviorbased approach can provide valuable insights into the travel patterns and preferences of tourists and can help to guide the development of sustainable mobility solutions that meet the needs of both tourists and the local community. travel behavior research is a crucial field that focuses on understanding and analyzing the factors that affect tourists' travel choices, decision-making processes, and schedules. The tourism industry is one of the largest and fastestgrowing sectors in the global economy, contributing significantly to employment, GDP, and foreign exchange earnings in many countries. However, the rapid growth of tourism has also led to numerous environmental, cultural, and social impacts, both positive and negative. To harness the potential of tourism as a non-polluting, sustainable income provider, it is necessary to understand the psychological factors that influence tourist mobility behavior Sustainable tourism practices are crucial in the current era of global emphasis on sustainability and combating climate change. The tourism industry has the potential to be a major contributor to sustainable development and environmental conservation. However, achieving sustainable tourism requires a fundamental shift in the behavior of tourists, tourism service providers, and policymakers toward more sustainable and responsible practices. v A deeper understanding of psychological factors is essential for developing effective measures to influence tourist mobility behavior toward sustainable tourism practices. This understanding can help policymakers and tourism service providers design strategies and interventions that promote sustainable travel choices among tourists. Factors such as attitudes, perceptions, motivations, and preferences play a critical role in shaping tourist mobility behavior. In conclusion, travel behavior research is a vital field that can help promote sustainable tourism practices and mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on the environment, culture, and society. The results indicate a growing interest among tourists in using alternative modes of transportation, including public transit, cycling, and walking. This presents an opportunity to reduce reliance on private vehicles and decrease the emissions and negative impacts associated with motorized transport.