Assessing the effect of green solutions in marinas on yachtsmen ́s expenditure decisions

Abstract

This paper studies the impact of responsible environmental care in marinas on yachtsmen´s expenditure. In this regard, a theoretical model of structural equations is proposed and empirically estimated, using data collected from 402 sailors mooring their vessels in nine different ports of call of diverse destinations of the Atlantic region. The study confirms that sailors' impressions and opinions about the environmental management of marinas has the largest potential to impact their satisfaction with the port and is the only factor with direct and positive influence on their expenditure during the call. It demonstrates that there exists a significant environmental awareness among port users and a need to warrant that their activity generates a positive impact on those places they visit. Consequently, industry and destinations need to adopt a more responsible position, with clean technologies and solutions in the nautical environment, to ensure higher customer satisfaction and economic impact. Findings further contribute to the scarce academic literature of this area and provide the opportunity for developing recommendations for nautical destinations managers and policy-makers, in relation to the design of more efficient incentives to promote the adoption of eco-friendly and more sustainable strategies within the industry.