A MAGYAROK KÖRNYEZETTUDATOS UTAZÁSSAL KAPCSOLATOS ATTITŰDJÉNEK ÉS EGYES MAGATARTÁSFORMÁINAK VIZSGÁLATA A COVID-19 JÁRVÁNY TÜKRÉBEN

Abstract

The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) has affected the tourism sector
on an unprecedented scale, but has also provided an unprecedented opportunity for tourism to
develop in a way that respects the principles of sustainable development during its recovery.
Our study focuses on tourists as a key stakeholder group and on the results of the reviewed
international studies, which suggest that the pandemic has led to a significant increase in
tourists' environmental awareness. On the basis of the international research results, we sought
to answer the question whether the pandemic has increased the environmental awareness of
tourists, whether their commitment to environmentally conscious behaviour is more
pronounced in their travel habits and destination choice? To answer this research question, a
survey was conducted on a sample of 500 Hungarians to investigate their environmentally
conscious attitudes and travel habits before and after the lifting of the pandemic restrictions.
Our results show that there was not any significant change in the travel habits of the Hungarians
surveyed, with their choices being influenced by aspects such as safety and comfort and not by
a greater consideration of environmental awareness.