High-Speed Rail in Tourism: Demand Segments and Factors of Their Potential Transition to Alternative Modes of Transport 1

This paper aims to investigate the factors which determine the willingness of visitors to switch to more environmentally friendly transport modes on tourist-oriented journeys in the Czech Republic. The proposed model of the hypothetical shift to a high-speed rail (HSR) considers personal and travel characteristics, the role of environmental attitudes, and previous experience with various transport modes. Data entering the model were obtained through a questionnaire among visitors in three key Czech hubs of the proposed HSR. The sample of 1,800 respondents was selected using a combination of random sampling and a quota applied to the length of stay and nationality. Using the Kruskal-Wallis test and subsequent contingency analyses, strong relationships were identified between train users and their willingness to use HSR. Environmental attitudes led to a strong preference for HSR. Similarly, the time spent on the journey and its purpose affected the willingness to switch to HSR.