World Tourism Day—“Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”, 27 September 2025
In conjunction with the theme of the 2025 World Tourism Day, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”, this feature explores how the tourism industry is evolving in response to global sustainability demands. From regenerative practices and eco-innovation to inclusive community-led development, tourism is no longer just about destinations—it is about impact.
As climate pressures, policy shifts, and traveler values reshape the way we move and explore, this article unpacks the critical role tourism plays in supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With real-world examples, expert insights, and future-facing ideas, we invite you to rethink tourism not just as an experience — but as a force for transformation.
To support this global effort, MDPI is proud to spotlight research and articles from the Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens, Societies, Sustainability and Tourism and Hospitality, among others, that contribute to sustainable and inclusive tourism development. Through our open access publications and editorial collaborations, we aim to amplify innovative perspectives that can help shape a more equitable and responsible future for travel.
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“Geographic Scale Matters in Analyzing the Effects of the Built Environment on Choice of Travel Modes: A Case Study of Grocery Shopping Trips in Salt Lake County, USA”
by Ensheng Dong, Felix Haifeng Liao and Hejun Kang
Urban Sci. 2025, 9(8), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9080307
“Urban Branding through Cultural-Creative Tourism: A Review of Youth Engagement for Sustainable Development”
by Kittichai Kasemsarn, Antika Sawadsri, Amorn Kritsanaphan and Farnaz Nickpour
Urban Sci. 2025, 9(6), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9060204
“The Future is in Sustainable Urban Tourism: Technological Innovations, Emerging Mobility Systems and Their Role in Shaping Smart Cities”
by Aleksandra Vujko, Miroslav Knežević and Martina Arsić
Urban Sci. 2025, 9(5), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9050169
“Leveraging Virtual Reality Experiences to Shape Tourists’ Behavioral Intentions: The Mediating Roles of Enjoyment and Immersion”
by Sinh Hoang Nguyen
J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2025, 6(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg6020024
“Urban Networks and Tourism Development: Analyzing the Relationship between Globalization and World Cities (GaWC) Rankings and Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI)”
by Petra Vašaničová
Urban Sci. 2025, 9(3), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9030083
“Empowering Urban Tourism Resilience Through Online Heritage Visibility: Bucharest Case Study”
by Ana-Irina Lequeux-Dincă, Aurel Gheorghilaş and Elena-Alina Tudor
Urban Sci. 2025, 9(3), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9030063
“UNESCO Global Geoparks vs. Generative AI: Challenges for Best Practices in Sustainability and Education”
by Jesús Enrique Martínez-Martín, Emmaline M. Rosado-González, Beatriz Martínez-Martín and Artur A. Sá
Geosciences 2024, 14(10), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14100275
“Sustainable Geotourism in the Chiusella Valley (NW Italian Alps): A Tool for Enhancing Alpine Geoheritage in the Context of Climate Change”
by Arianna Negri, Elena Storta, Rasool Bux Khoso, Agnese Maria Colizzi, Fiorella Acquaotta, Mauro Palomba and Marco Giardino
Geosciences 2024, 14(7), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14070175
“Climate Change and Cultural Heritage: A Global Mapping of the UNESCO Thematic Indicators in Conjunction with Advanced Technologies for Cultural Sustainability”
by Mohsen Aboulnaga, Ahmed Abouaiana, Paola Puma, Maryam Elsharkawy, Mohamed Farid, Sarah Gamal and Elena Lucchi
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4650; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114650
“Digital Promotion of Geoheritage along a Tourist Route in M’Goun UNESCO Geopark (Central High Atlas, Morocco) and Visitor Typology Analysis”
by Nisrine Kchikach, Hassan Ibouh, Abderrahim Benali, Anas Charbaoui and Abdelhafid El Alaoui El Fels
Geosciences 2024, 14(6), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14060141
“Emerging Sustainability Trends in Tourist Facilities: A Comparative Assessment of Multiple Hotels and Resorts”
by Erasmia Papallou, Martha Katafygiotou and Thomas Dimopoulos
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3536; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093536
“Trade Fairs, Host Cities and Tourism Development: The Case of Thessaloniki, Greece”
by Dimitris Kourkouridis, Yannis Frangopoulos and Asimenia Salepaki
Tour. Hosp. 2024, 5(2), 333-353; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp5020022
“Selected Geoheritage Resources of “Atlantic Geopark” Project (Central Portugal)”
by Salomé C. Custódio, Maria Helena Henriques, Emmaline M. Rosado-González, Nuno M. Vaz and Artur A. Sá
Geosciences 2024, 14(3), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14030081
“Sustainable Cultural Tourism: Proposal for a Comparative Indicator-Based Framework in European Destinations”
by Mikel Zubiaga, Amaia Sopelana, Alessandra Gandini, Héctor M. Aliaga and Tarmo Kalvet
Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 2062; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052062
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“Rethinking Future Studies in Tourism and Hospitality: Critical Insights and Paradigm Shifts for a New Era” |
“Customer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality“ |
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“Advancements and Innovation in Tourism Management and Strategic Management: Sustainable Development Perspective” |
“New Scrutiny in Tourism Destination Management” |
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“Human–Environmental Relations: Ecotourism and Sustainability” |
“Urban Trends: Cities, Housing Markets, Regional Dynamics and Tourism” |
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