Embodiment and Engagement of Tourism with Social Sustainability

Dear Colleagues,

In contemporary times, tourism has emerged as a global phenomenon that not only drives economic growth but also significantly impacts social and environmental aspects. The interaction between tourism and social sustainability has become a crucial topic in academic research and policy formulation. The concept of social sustainability in tourism encompasses dimensions beyond economics and the environment, also considering the well-being of local communities, social justice, and equity in opportunities.

Historically, research in this field has explored how tourism practices can either promote or undermine social sustainability in specific destinations. However, understanding tourism extends beyond tangible impacts to include how tourism experiences themselves can mediate more equitable and sustainable social and cultural relationships. This Special Issue titled "Embodiment and Engagement of Tourism with Social Sustainability" aims to delve into these complex dynamics and how tourism can be intrinsically linked to promoting social sustainability.

The primary purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for scholarly discussion on how tourism can be a positive agent of change in promoting social sustainability. The journal Societies focuses on human and social interactions in various contexts, and this specific theme aligns perfectly with its interdisciplinary approach and commitment to the critical analysis of contemporary social dynamics.

In particular, this Special Issue seeks to gather research that addresses how tourism practices can not only mitigate negative impacts on host communities but also actively contribute to improving social well-being and inclusion. From societies' perspective, it is crucial to explore how tourism practices can foster civic engagement, strengthen social cohesion, and promote cultural diversity within tourist destinations.

Researchers are invited to contribute articles addressing, among others, the following topics:

1. Impacts of tourism on local communities: studies examining how tourism practices affect quality of life, cultural identity, and social cohesion in host communities.
2. Inclusion and diversity in tourism: analysis of initiatives promoting inclusion of minority groups, gender equality, and accessibility for persons with disabilities in tourism.
3. Ethics and responsibility in tourism: exploration of ethical tourism practices respecting human rights, promoting fair trade, and minimizing environmental impact.
4. Community participation and local empowerment: studies investigating how local communities can actively participate in decision making and equitably benefit from tourism development.
5. Education and awareness in sustainable tourism: examination of educational programs and awareness campaigns promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices among travelers and tourism service providers.
6. Tourism governance processes: analysis of governance structures and policies facilitating effective and equitable management of tourist destinations, promoting social sustainability.
7. Tourist carrying capacity and sustainability of tourist sites: studies evaluating the carrying capacity of specific destinations and proposing measures to maintain a balance between tourism development and preservation of natural and cultural resources.

This Special Issue aims to gather a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives that enrich our understanding of how tourism can positively contribute to social sustainability. By fostering interdisciplinary dialog, we aim to advance towards more inclusive and ethical tourism practices that not only preserve but also enrich the social and cultural contexts in which they operate.

In this Special Issue, contributions have to follow one of the three categories of papers, i.e., article, conceptual paper, or review, of the journal and address the topic of the Special Issue.

Dr. Rocío Blanco-Gregory
Guest Editor

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 conceptual papers 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 double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Societies is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 1400 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.

• tourism
• social sustainability
• community participation
• cultural diversity
• ethical tourism
• governance
• inclusion
• local empowerment
• sustainable development
• carrying capacity