Responsible Tourist Behaviour Scale

What it measures

Measures tourist intentions to engage in responsible behaviours: environmental (minimising ecological impact), socio-cultural (respecting local customs and communities), and economic (supporting local businesses). Responsible tourist behaviour is increasingly important as negative consequences of mass tourism on destinations are widely recognised.

Response format

Likert (1–5, strongly disagree to strongly agree)

Scale items

Environmental Behaviour — actions to protect the natural environment while travelling (Likert 1–7, strongly disagree to strongly agree)

• I try not to disturb wildlife when visiting natural areas.
• I avoid littering when I am at a tourist destination.
• I conserve water and energy during my travels.
• I stay on designated paths to protect natural vegetation.
• I avoid buying products made from endangered species.

Socio-Cultural Behaviour — respect for local cultures and social norms

• I respect local customs and traditions when I travel.
• I dress appropriately to respect local cultural norms.
• I learn basic phrases in the local language before visiting.
• I avoid behaviours that may offend local communities.
• I support local artisans and businesses rather than multinational chains.

Economic Behaviour — contributing to local economic wellbeing

• I prefer to stay in locally owned accommodation.
• I choose locally owned restaurants over international chains when travelling.
• I buy locally made souvenirs rather than imported goods.
• I am willing to pay a fair price that supports local livelihoods.

Full scale items shown. Always cite the original source when using this scale in research.

Usage notes & scoring

Three subscale scores. Environmental responsibility intentions are highest; economic responsibility (deliberately choosing local businesses) shows the largest attitude-behaviour gap. Responsibility behaviour is moderated by pro-environmental values and perceived behavioural control.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Lovelock, B. (2008). Ethical travel decisions: Travel agents and human rights. Annals of Tourism Research, 35(2), 338–358.

Keywords