Sustainable travel and tourists’ satisfaction: the case of Constanta, Romania

Abstract

The development of tourism is essential for the economic growth of maritime or mountainous areas. Lately, the emphasis is on the development of sustainable tourism, which will bring benefits to both the community and the planet. However, to achieve this goal, a series of measures and investments are needed, which must be applied by all stakeholders. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between the measures that support sustainable travel and the tourists’ satisfaction. The results of the study show that not all the investments and efforts made by the accommodation units are favourably appreciated by tourists, because they prefer comfort, even if it is not necessarily sustainable. However, it seems that the investments aimed at the dimensions of nature, energy and greenhouse gases, and also waste are those that positively influence the sustainable tourist experience. The results of this study may be the starting point for other extensive research, as well as directions that the authorities could develop to promote pleasant sustainable tourism.