Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of a social practices approach suggest that it can provide insights into the ways
lifestyles are shaped by socio-technical devices (Spaargaren and van Vliet,
2000).
Within a slow travel context, a social practices approach can help explain
why, though people may have a desire to reduce their carbon footprint, they
end up choosing high-carbon tourism practices due to the tourism structures
available. More enabling structures are required. As Spaargaren (2004, p19)
suggests: 'when there is a high level … of green provisioning, people are more
or less brought into a position in which the greening of their corresponding
lifestyle segment becomes a feasible option.' For example, it was found that
sustainable routines were easier to establish and maintain in a food context in
comparison to tourism, as in Europe there are more green options in the food
chain compared to the travel industry. However, slow travel could be seen as
a route for innovation.
This perspective goes some way to explaining the attitude-behaviour gap.
It is also argued that the focus should be on lifestyle, and a green lifestyle is
different from an environmental-friendly attitude:
Even individuals who state the intention to follow strictly and
frequently environmental criteria that form the foundational
principles of their lifestyles will act against these intentions cer-
tain times and under particular circumstances in some segments
of their lifestyle. (Spaargaren, 2004, p18)
The findings of several recent studies on tourism behaviour and views of cli-
mate change are consistent with this view (Dickinson et al, 2010a; Randles
and Mander, 2009a). While participants showed awareness of climate change
issues, and took action in elements of their life, this failed to translate into
appropriate tourism behaviour in respect to travel.
An explanation is provided by Shove (2003), who concludes that there is
a need for a systemic review of practices (referred to as ratchets) which lock
in behaviour. This has three characteristics:
1 Once a practice has shifted to a different ratchet 'notch', then
a new configuration of practice - that is a new level of
standardized norms comprising conventions of behaviours,
knowledge and meaning - and a surrounding sociotechnical
infrastructure, is visible. A high level of sociotechnical and
institutional lock-in therefore exists.
2 This means that there is a high level of historical path
dependency.
3 The distinctive architecture of institutionalized practice (con-
vention) and their surrounding sociotechnical infrastructures are
difficult to reverse. (Randles and Mander, 2009b, p265)
