1. Role of Tourism in Promoting Geothermal Energy: Public Interest and Motivation for Geothermal Energy Tourism in Slovenia
- Author
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Nejc Pozvek, Maja Turnšek, Milica Rančić Demir, and Barbara Pavlakovič
- Subjects
020209 energy ,Geothermal heating ,Geography, Planning and Development ,Population ,TJ807-830 ,02 engineering and technology ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,TD194-195 ,Renewable energy sources ,Industrial tourism ,Public interest ,climate change mitigation ,0502 economics and business ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,GE1-350 ,education ,education.field_of_study ,social acceptance ,Environmental effects of industries and plants ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,business.industry ,Geothermal energy ,05 social sciences ,energy tourism ,Environmental economics ,Environmental sciences ,Electricity generation ,Climate change mitigation ,13. Climate action ,geothermal energy ,industrial tourism ,business ,050212 sport, leisure & tourism ,Tourism ,public interest - Abstract
From household geothermal heat pumps to industrial geothermal heating and electricity production, geothermal energy is one of the most promising future climate change mitigation areas. This paper aims to analyse the potential role that the tourism industry has in the promotion of geothermal energy. Although general knowledge and understanding of geothermal energy is often relatively low, geothermal energy tourism has the potential to encourage the public to use and learn about geothermal energy and its applications. The paper first provides a theoretical conceptualisation of geothermal energy tourism at the energy production level and energy usage level. Empirical results from an online survey amongst a sample of the Slovenian population show that there is a reasonably strong interest in geothermal energy tourism, correlating with the public image of geothermal energy. The study furthermore identified three main motivational factors for energy tourism: the first is “Knowledge,” followed by “Having fun,” with the lowest level on the motivational factor being “Self-recognition.” The paper finally provides future recommendations on geothermal energy tourism as a tool for wider public acceptance but also knowledge on the potential risks of geothermal energy as a sustainable energy source.
- Published
- 2021
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