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While backpacker social identity remains an important theme among tourism researchers, its influence on sustainable behaviors has received limited attention. We examine the impact of backpacker social identity on sustainable behavior based on both a structural modeling approach and regression analysis. A survey of 400 backpackers is conducted within Cape Coast, a major tourism hub in Ghana, West Africa. Supporting seven out of eight hypotheses based on PLS-SEM, social identity has a positive effect on sustainable behavior, which in turn positively affects satisfaction suggesting that the more backpackers identify themselves with this group the more sustainably they behave. Additionally, social identity has a negative impact on unsustainable behavior which negatively impacts behavioral intentions. These findings suggest that individuals who identify themselves as backpackers are less likely to engage in unsustainable behavior. Findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the nexus between backpacker social identity and sustainable behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While sustainable behaviors of backpackers continue to attract scholarly attention, previous studies rarely explain the impact of the cultural context of the destination on individual motivations and (un)sustainable behaviors. Based on (cross-)cultural adaptation theory, this study aims to examine the specific impact of backpackers' motivations on their engagement in different specific (un)sustainable behaviors in two different non-Western cultural destinations. Both backpackers in Ghana (n = 400) and China (n = 400) are surveyed and contrasted. Results show differences in motivation components in Ghana (escapism & relaxation, self-development, culture, and enjoyment & adventure) and China (self-development & adventure, socialization & escapism, and vogue). While backpackers in both destinations frequently performed environmentally sustainable behaviors, significant differences exist in socially and culturally sustainable behaviors. Backpackers pursue different psychological needs from different destinations by engaging in a variety of (un)sustainable behaviors. These findings highlight contextual differences in understanding backpacker motivations and sustainable behaviors. • The cultural context influences backpackers' motivation and sustainable engagement. • Sustainable behaviors and motivations are contextualized. • Backpackers in two non-Western countries show differences in sustainable behaviors. • Motivation differently influences various types of sustainable behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile money (known popularly as "MOMO" in Ghana) usage has become common in Africa. However, the driving factors explaining the continuous use of such services among small and medium-sized tourism and hospitality enterprises (SMTHEs) is still unknown. This study examines the driving factors of continuous intention to use MM services among SMTHEs in Ghana. It employs the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), and the diffusion of innovation and perceived risk theories to examine the key drivers and deterrents of continued MM usage among SMTHE operators. A structural model was developed to test eleven hypotheses. A multi-stage proportionate random sampling was conducted on sub-sectors such as accommodation, restaurants, transport agencies and artisans within four selected cities in Ghana, yielding 380 useful survey questionnaires. Overall, the results of both CFA and SEM indicate that the model fits the data. For instance, effort expectancy, performance expectancy, hedonic motivations, habit, personal innovations, destination-infrastructure risk, technology risk and awareness were significant drivers of the intention to continuously use MM services. Further results from the multi-group moderation analysis show significant differences between males and females relative to the relationship between effort expectancy and continuous intention. The implications and limitations of the findings are discussed and suggestions for future research are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Generally, most studies on volunteer tourism have placed an emphasis on motivations and experiences of participants ignoring a significant component of tourism —accommodation. This paper is an attempt to unravel accommodation preference among international volunteer tourists focusing on homestay facilities in Ghana. The data are derived from a study of 151 volunteer tourists in Kumasi, Ghana. The primary reasons for the choice of homestay accommodation included a wish to better immerse themselves in the host community and to aid social interaction but differences are found on the basis of gender, level of education and other socio-demographic variables. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The relationship between tourist socio-demographics and homestay use has received scant attention from researchers. Insights gained from this study will guide market segmentation and targeting by tourism planners. The main objective of this research was to examine the influence of socio-demographics on tourists’ motivations for choosing homestay in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. Data were collected from 151 international tourists in the Kumasi Metropolis who lived in homestay facilities. Results of t-test and one-way analysis of variance suggest that socio-demographics are influential factors on international tourists’ motivations for choosing homestay. It is concluded that socio-demographics influence tourist motivations for choosing homestay. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]