Attitudes of tourists using Airbnb and Couchsurfing in the light of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s Tips for Responsible Travellers

Sustainable tourism and the closely related responsible tourism aim to minimise the negative environmental and social impacts of tourism expansion while maintaining the economic benefits of tourism development. Its objectives are achievable through the responsible behaviour of tourists. Responsibility is linked to the choices of tourism participants who, aware of the consequences of their behaviour, make the right decisions. The sharing economy (SE) has evolved over the past decade. It has become inherent in tourism in terms of accommodation offerings. The academic literature highlights the relationship between SE and sustainability in tourism. This article aims to analyse tourists' attitudes towards Airbnb and Couchsurfing accommodation in the context of responsible tourism in light of the 'Tips for Responsible Travellers' by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The sample identified 112 Poles using shared accommodation. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the empirical data. The research confirms that tourists perceive Airbnb and Couchsurfing as the type of accommodation whose choice should favour the UNWTO recommendations. The findings contribute to the literature by elaborating on the attitudes of tourists (sharing accommodation users) and their role in developing sustainable tourism.