Fostering sustainable practices in Zimbabwean tourism for firewood energy sustainability and efficiency amid costly renewables, weak policies, scarce electricity, and extensive deforestation

Abstract

Against the backdrop of Zimbabwe's captivating tourism landscapes and cultural heritage, energy sustainability challenges loom large. The paper investigates multifaceted relationship between, three independent variables: (reforestation program and funding, invasive tree species use, efficient cookstove adoption), one mediator: (green tourism supply chain behavior) and one dependent variable: (firewood energy sustainability). A quantitative approach was employed, collecting data from 483 tourists using simple random sampling and the Krejcie and Morgan table for determining the sample size. Questionnaires were distributed via Google forms, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized for data analysis. Statistical findings indicate direct and indirect significant relationship between aforementioned variables and T‐statistics values all hypotheses were all greater than the threshold of 1.96. Ranging from a minimum of 2.515 to a maximum of 15.779. The findings pinpoint the importance of an integrated approach in Zimbabwe's tourism supply chain so as to address firewood energy sustainability and efficiency challenges stemming from costly renewables, weak policies, scarce electricity, and extensive deforestation. The study recommends tourism supply chain and policymakers to implement regulations on invasive species, offer incentives for technology adoption, practice and monitor green tourism supply chain practices within Zimbabwean tourism. The study's recommendations contribute to the ongoing discourse on fostering responsible energy practices within the tourism sector, aligning with global sustainability goals and future policy considerations.