One Nudge Is Not Enough: Exploring the Limits and Potentials of Behavioral Approaches for Sustainable Tourism Mobility

This article provides a literature-based overview of the effectiveness of behavioral interventions — so-called "nudges" — in promoting sustainable tourism mobility. Drawing on the model of self-regulated behavioral change and findings from behavioral economics, the article discusses how the effectiveness of nudges in this domain is influenced by a wide variety of factors and whether these kinds of subtle interventions can lead to lasting behavioral change. Rather than presenting new empirical data, the article synthesizes existing research and illustrates key findings through selected case examples. Special attention is given to whether one-time nudges, such as free public transport offers, are sufficient to induce long-term shifts in travel behavior among tourists. The overview shows that while nudges can potentially trigger initial changes, sustained behavioral transformation typically requires repeated or combined interventions tailored to a specific travel context.