Not so demanding! Employing the Fuzzy-hybrid TOPSIS to explain (un)demanding whale-watcher behaviour

IF 4.4 3区管理学 Q1 HOSPITALITY, LEISURE, SPORT & TOURISM

Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism-Research Planning and Management Pub Date : 2025-07-02 DOI:10.1016/j.jort.2025.100919

Chaitanya Suárez-Rojas , Yen E. Lam-González , Juan Carlos Martín

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Whale-watching is a significant economic activity in many regions worldwide. However, meeting whale-watchers’ expectations present sustainability challenges. This study analyses the demanding behaviour of whale-watchers using a Fuzzy-Hybrid TOPSIS method to empirically validate a ‘whale-watching (un)demanding behaviour’ synthetic index. This index predicts how socioeconomic and travel-related factors influence the level of demand placed on the activity. We assessed 19 ‘importance-items’ (i.e., key aspects of the whale-watching experience) identifying critical covariates that shape the synthetic index. Our fieldwork surveyed 490 travellers following whale-watching excursions in the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores. Findings indicate that undemanding behaviours are desirable in whale-watching. The feature of being ‘undemanding’ is present in tourists who consider the activity's educational content and responsible environmental management over close-up whale encounters. From a managerial perspective, the index serves as a decision-making tool to promote more responsible practices in the industry.

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没那么苛刻！利用模糊混合TOPSIS来解释（非）苛刻的观鲸者行为

在全球许多地区，观鲸是一项重要的经济活动。然而，要满足鲸鱼观察人士的期望，面临着可持续发展的挑战。本研究使用模糊混合TOPSIS方法分析观鲸者的苛刻行为，以经验验证“观鲸（非）苛刻行为”综合指数。该指数预测了社会经济和旅游相关因素如何影响对该活动的需求水平。我们评估了19个“重要项目”（即观鲸体验的关键方面），确定了影响综合指数的关键协变量。我们的实地调查调查了490名在加那利群岛、马德拉群岛和亚速尔群岛观鲸的游客。研究结果表明，在观鲸过程中，不苛求的行为是可取的。“要求不高”的特点体现在游客身上，他们认为该活动的教育内容和负责任的环境管理，而不是近距离接触鲸鱼。从管理角度来看，该指数可以作为决策工具，促进行业内更负责任的做法。

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来源期刊

Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism-Research Planning and Management HOSPITALITY, LEISURE, SPORT & TOURISM-

CiteScore

6.70

自引率

5.30%

发文量

期刊介绍： Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism offers a dedicated outlet for research relevant to social sciences and natural resources. The journal publishes peer reviewed original research on all aspects of outdoor recreation planning and management, covering the entire spectrum of settings from wilderness to urban outdoor recreation opportunities. It also focuses on new products and findings in nature based tourism and park management. JORT is an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary journal, articles may focus on any aspect of theory, method, or concept of outdoor recreation research, planning or management, and interdisciplinary work is especially welcome, and may be of a theoretical and/or a case study nature. Depending on the topic of investigation, articles may be positioned within one academic discipline, or draw from several disciplines in an integrative manner, with overarching relevance to social sciences and natural resources. JORT is international in scope and attracts scholars from all reaches of the world to facilitate the exchange of ideas. As such, the journal enhances understanding of scientific knowledge, empirical results, and practitioners'' needs. Therefore in JORT each article is accompanied by an executive summary, written by the editors or authors, highlighting the planning and management relevant aspects of the article.