TOURISM AND SUSTAINABILITY: INTER-RELATIONS BETWEEN SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND MEMORABLE TOURISM EXPERIENCES

Abstract

Tourism enhances human interaction and political, cultural and economic integration, making it important for the development of societies and the promotion of sustainability. This work had as main objective to analyze the possible relation between memorable tourist experiences and sustainable practices. Through a quantitative research (survey method), questionnaires were applied with 421 tourists, being possible to identify their sustainable practices and perceptions about a memorable tourist experience. The relationship between memorable tourism experience and sustainable practices was analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient, which identified a significant correlation between almost all constructs. There was only no significant correlation between sustainable practices and renewal. From the dimensions of the memorable tourist experience, knowledge was the one that presented the greatest association with sustainable practices. It has been found that the greater the memorable tourist experience, the more sustainable practices are likely to occur and vice versa. It can be concluded that, once a company facilitates memorable tourist experiences, based on the principles of sustainability, tourists can return to their reality with new learning, which can generate changes of attitudes and contribute to a better world . It is hoped, therefore, that the results presented will contribute not only to the academic field, but also to the managers of tourist organizations