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Translating the Concept of Sustainability into Tourism Practice – Destination Perspectives

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Tourism, Culture, and Heritage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2024) | Viewed by 11496

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Julia N. Albrecht

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Guest Editor

Department of Tourism, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Interests: sustainability in tourism; tourism management; visitor management; nature-based tourism; destination management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Marco Haid

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Division for Management in Health and Sport Tourism, UMIT – Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria
Interests: destination management; nature-based tourism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To date, tourism research has only addressed isolated aspects and perspectives of sustainability implementation in tourism in general and in tourist destinations in particular. Although there is discussion of conceptual, often macro-level, aspects of sustainability implementation, little attention is paid on how the concept can and should be operationalised in destination management and planning processes.

Urgeny to successfully translate sustainability efforts and insights into tourism practice is continuously growing. This Special Issue seeks to facilitate the operationalisation of the concept by showcasing empirical research and case studies that demonstrate successful implementation and operationalisation of sustainability. We encourage contributions that deal with sustainability implementation in tourism practice in the broadest sense to provide both conceptual and practical insights that can have long-term positive impacts for the promotion of sustainability in destinations.

For this Special Issue, we welcome original research articles and case studies which focus on implementing and translating sustainability into tourism practice. We especially invite practical work with innovative implications for tourism destinations and the tourism industry. Research areas may include (but are not limited to):

policy, strategy, and governance perspectives; procedural challenges; stakeholders and relationality; evaluation
implementation of sustainability in the range of tourism and hospitality businesses, such as accommodation, transport, attractions
community perspectives, including urban, rural, peripheral and other destination contexts
implementation of sustainability in niche tourism areas, such as golf tourism, wine tourism, etc.
conceptual challenges in the operationalisation of sustainability

We look forward to receiving your manuscripts.

Dr. Julia N. Albrecht
Dr. Marco Haid
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

tourism
sustainability
sustainability implementation
tourism destination
destination governance
tourism policy
destination management

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 559 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictors of Adopting a Sustainability Policy in Museums

by Izabela Luiza Pop, Diana Sabina Ighian, Rita Monica Toader and Rada Florina Hahn

Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4062; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104062 - 13 May 2024

Viewed by 511

Abstract

This paper aims to identify certain factors that may influence museums’ success in adopting and implementing a sustainability policy. The research hypotheses were formulated based on an in-depth study of the literature and subsequently tested using classical linear regression methodology. The empirical research is based on 86 Romanian national questionnaires collected in October and November 2016, which tracked museums’ self-reported sustainability practices. To examine the relationships between sustainability policy and independent variables, we developed three generalized linear regression models. Our results revealed that environmental behavior and some components of social responsibility (heritage exposure and community involvement) have a positive impact on implementing sustainability policies and principles within museums. Surprisingly, economic performance did not prove to have a significant influence on sustainability policy, suggesting that financial autonomy, efficiency, and productivity are not essential elements in fostering a sustainable mindset within museums. The developed models serve as valuable tools for museum managers, providing guidance in adopting appropriate managerial decisions to achieve sustainability goals. Furthermore, the empirical research offers new insights that enhance and advance current knowledge and research in the field of sustainable management in museums. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translating the Concept of Sustainability into Tourism Practice – Destination Perspectives)

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12 pages, 570 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Labels in Tourism Practice: The Effects of Sustainable Hotel Badges on Guests’ Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions

by Maksim Godovykh, Alan Fyall and Carissa Baker

Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2484; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062484 - 17 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1580

Abstract

Sustainable practices are becoming increasingly important to tourists and hotel guests. As a result, destinations, hotels, and booking platforms are implementing eco-friendly practices and displaying sustainable badges to communicate their efforts to guests. While the use of sustainable badges increases the visibility of eco-friendly hotels, it is unclear whether they actually influence guests’ choices. This study aimed to explore the effects of the presence of sustainable badges and the awareness of sustainable practices on tourists’ attitudes and behavioral intentions using an experimental design. People who previously used a hotel-booking platform were randomly assigned to four hotel-booking scenarios with the manipulated presence of sustainable badges and awareness about sustainable practices on the website. The data analysis techniques included an analysis of variance, moderation, and a mediation analysis. The study’s results provided empirical evidence that the presence of a sustainable badge could have a positive impact on guests’ attitudes toward a hotel and intentions to book a hotel. These results contributed to the body of knowledge on the impact of sustainable practices, addressed an attitude–behavior gap between tourists’ attitudes and behavioral intentions, and provided valuable insights for destination management organizations, hotel managers, booking platforms, and policymakers interested in promoting sustainable tourism practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translating the Concept of Sustainability into Tourism Practice – Destination Perspectives)

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25 pages, 8996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Implementation of Integrated Coastal Management in the Development of Sustainability-Based Geotourism: A Case Study of Olele, Indonesia

by Yohanes Sulistyadi, Ramang H. Demolingo, B. Syarifuddin Latif, Titus Indrajaya, Putu Pramania Adnyana and Kadek Wiweka

Sustainability 2024, 16(3), 1272; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031272 - 2 Feb 2024

Viewed by 931

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the key determinants involved in formulating a sustainable plan for marine tourist development in the Olele Marine Park region with a specific focus on geotourism, guided by the principles of integrated coastal management (ICM). The current investigation employed descriptive analytical methodologies, utilizing interpretative structural modeling (ISM) as the selected analytical tool. The current research effectively accomplished the development of a spatial use zoning map inside the Olele Marine Park region with a specific focus on its use in the context of geotourism. This study posits that the incorporation of utilization zones, in addition to the existing core zones and sustainable fisheries, is vital for effective design. In addition, the findings of the ISM analysis also indicate that the development of the Olele Marine Park area encompasses a minimum of five elements. These elements consist of primary sub-elements and supporting sub-elements, which were deemed to be independent and exert significant driving forces. The findings of this study have practical implications for the government in formulating sustainable marine tourist development plans. These recommendations primarily focus on the concepts of ICM and are aimed at promoting geotourism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translating the Concept of Sustainability into Tourism Practice – Destination Perspectives)

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17 pages, 494 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Regional Products and Sustainability

by Marco Haid, Julia N. Albrecht, Pascal Tangl and Alexander Plaikner

Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 628; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020628 - 11 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 741

Abstract

The production, sale, and consumption of regional products can positively influence a region’s sustainable development. Despite this significance, there is little research on how consumers perceive regional products using a sustainability lens. This study investigates the perception of regional products in terms of sustainability and related customer purchasing behaviour. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants in Tyrol, Austria. Data analysis employs a deductive-inductive coding approach and shows a high awareness of sustainability among respondents. The main reasons for purchasing regional products are supporting the local economy and regional agriculture. Shorter transport routes or the cultural landscape maintenance are also important factors due to environmental concerns. Most participants report that sustainability was a decisive factor in their purchase decision pertaining to regional products. Regional products and sustainability are thus intertwined from a customer perspective and are shown to have decisive roles in related purchasing behaviour. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translating the Concept of Sustainability into Tourism Practice – Destination Perspectives)

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28 pages, 28057 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Water Policymaking for the Hotel Industry: A Longitudinal Network Analysis of Policy Documents

by Xiao Hu, Tianyu Ying, Brent Lovelock and Sarah Mager

Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15890; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215890 - 13 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1341

Abstract

Safeguarding water resources in tourism contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to the wider 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, sustainable management of water, in order to address both current and future demand for water resources in an equitable and environmentally sound manner, is one of the most significant challenges faced by tourist destinations. Using a case study approach, this research conducts a social network analysis (SNA) of the water policymaking system of Singapore’s hotel industry by longitudinally examining the structure of relations among policy themes and policy stakeholders. The network approach attempts to examine the structural evolution in the water demand management (WDM) policy network based on an analysis of 329 (co)produced policy documents (2001–2020) available in the public domain. A broad range of policy themes, together with divergent policy stakeholders, are uncovered in this interconnected dynamic policy system. Subsequently, systematic policy research is extended to discuss the interrelationships of policy stakeholders and policy themes over the past 20 years. Our findings highlight the network structure of the policy domain and suggest an openness and vibrancy of sustainable WDM as an interdisciplinary policy domain. Cross-sectoral stakeholder engagement has contributed to the evolution and complexity of the policy theme network. The study’s findings provide significant insights into the relationships of policy actors and the evolving network structure of a multidimensional policy framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translating the Concept of Sustainability into Tourism Practice – Destination Perspectives)

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19 pages, 2593 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rural Tourism Households Adapting to Seasonality: An Exploratory Sequential Mixed-Methods Study

by Zhen Su, Kun Xian, Dandan Lu, Wenhui Wang, Yinghong Zheng and Tanaporn Khotphat

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14158; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914158 - 25 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1075

Abstract

The inherent vulnerability of tourism poses a substantial challenge to maintaining the productivity and stability of livelihoods among rural tourism households. Although tourism seasonality significantly influences the livelihood activities of rural tourism households, research exploring how they adapt their livelihood strategies to achieve optimal outcomes is limited. Employing an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design that combines thematic analysis and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), we investigated the relationship between the livelihood strategies and outcomes of rural tourism households under the influence of tourism seasonality in the Lijiang scenic spot of China. The results indicate that livelihood strategies adopted by rural tourism households include “Tourism Persistence”, “Seasonal Employment”, and “Seasonal Farming” during the off-season and “Extending Working Hours”, “Increasing Staffing Input”, and “Increasing Capital Input” during the peak season. Furthermore, these strategies form flexible combinations to realize livelihood outcomes, with “Extending Working Hours” being a necessary condition. The findings also revealed that the four configurations of seasonal livelihood strategies in the two patterns significantly contributed to high livelihood outcomes. One is named “Peak-Season Driven Pattern”; the other is named “Peak-Off Blend-Driven Pattern”. These findings provide theoretical and practical insights for sustainable livelihood research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translating the Concept of Sustainability into Tourism Practice – Destination Perspectives)

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21 pages, 4799 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Understanding the Complexity of Rural Tourism Business: Scholarly Perspective

by Setiawan Priatmoko, Moaaz Kabil, Ali Akaak, Zoltán Lakner, Csaba Gyuricza and Lóránt Dénes Dávid

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1193; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021193 - 9 Jan 2023

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4670

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to identify and analyze the four core driving forces that shaped the complex picture of rural tourist businesses. These driving forces are marketability, participatory, crisis mitigation and sustainability. This study focused on the scholarly perspective to study and analyze the rural tourism businesses’ literature and its link with these four driving forces. By using the bibliometric analysis technique and VosViewer as a visualization tool, the results revealed that less than 50% of rural tourism literature was concerned with local businesses. Regarding the four driving forces, sustainability was the most linked force with the rural tourism businesses’ scientific production. Contrarily, a relatively small body of the rural tourism businesses’ literature discussed marketability, participatory and crisis mitigation, despite their significant role in the development of these local rural businesses. In addition, the results of this study showed the interest of rural tourism articles in the crisis mitigation pillar, especially recently after the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Translating the Concept of Sustainability into Tourism Practice – Destination Perspectives)

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