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Tourism and Environmental Development: A Sustainable Perspective

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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: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 3686

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yeongbae Choe

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Guest Editor

Department of Tourism Management, Gachon University, Seongnam-si 13120, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
Interests: tourism development; SDGs; smart tourism development; tourist decision-making and behaviors; information technology in tourism and hospitality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Jooa Baek

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Guest Editor

Department of Tourism Management, Jeju National University, Jeju-si 63243, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Republic of Korea
Interests: hospitality operation management; service management; sustainable hospitality practices

Dr. Jaeseok Lee

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Guest Editor

Department of Tourism Management, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 25457, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
Interests: sustainable development; tourist decision-making process; responsible gambling behaviors; latent variable analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As tourism continues expanding globally, its impact on our society has become a critical issue. In particular, the impact of tourism on sustainability, and methods for mitigating the negative effects of tourism, have been greatly studied and contested within the tourism and hospitality fields. However, ensuring sustainability in the tourism industry and tourist destinations requires a holistic approach that addresses not only environmental issues but also interconnected aspects, including societal, cultural, and economic dimensions. For example, residents living in popular tourism destinations (e.g., Barcelona, Santorini, and Venice) have increasingly voiced their frustration with over-tourism, highlighting the social and cultural strain that accompanies an unchecked growth in tourism. For this Special Issue, we invite papers investigating the complex interplay between tourism developments and sustainability, with an emphasis on aligning practices with the SDGs. By exploring how tourism can either contribute to, or undermine, comprehensive sustainability, this Special Issue will could inform policies and practices that foster long-term benefits for both tourist resorts and local communities.

For this Special Issue, we welcome original research articles and reviews. Possible research areas include (but are not limited to) the following:

Developments in tourism and sustainability;
Residents’ emotional solidarity or anger towards developments in tourism;
Challenges in over- and under-tourism;
Innovative approaches to balancing growth and sustainability in tourism;
Tourists’ behaviors and sustainability;
Industry best practices.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Yeongbae Choe
Dr. Jooa Baek
Dr. Jaeseok Lee
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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 development
sustainability
resident
over- and under-tourism
pro-environmental tourist behavior
tourism growth
responsible tourism development
SDGs

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 1179 KB

Open AccessArticle

Coupling Coordination Between Ecological Environment and Tourism Economy in Xinjiang

by Shanshan Guo, Pengcheng Zhao, Aerzuna Abulimiti, Mao Ye and Yonghui Wang

Sustainability 2026, 18(10), 4856; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18104856 - 13 May 2026

Viewed by 354

Abstract

This study examines the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as a critical case study, constructing comprehensive evaluation frameworks for both ecological environment and tourism economy. We calculate the integrated development levels of both systems from 2010 to 2024, employing entropy weighting to derive composite development indices, Coupling Coordination Degree modeling to quantify the intensity and quality of system interactions, Relative Development Degree modeling to characterize coordination typologies and developmental asymmetries, and Grey Relational Analysis to identify key driving factors. Our findings reveal that although the coupling coordination of Xinjiang’s tourism–ecological system has transitioned from “mild imbalance” to “marginal coordination”, the system exhibits pronounced vulnerability and persistent “tourism-lag” dynamics. To effectively leverage the current “strategic window” of ecological surplus, we propose a multi-dimensional transformation pathway: (1) enhancing digital resilience through intelligent monitoring systems to mitigate external mobility shocks; (2) optimizing spatial connectivity via a “fast transit, slow travel” infrastructural paradigm; (3) institutionalizing micro-scale ecological governance to position oasis cities as sustainable “ecological gateways”; and (4) catalyzing deep cultural-tourism integration, shifting from scale-driven sightseeing to value-driven Silk Road heritage experiences. These pathways furnish a clear blueprint for Xinjiang to achieve high-quality, sustainable regional tourism development while maintaining its strategic positioning as a northwestern ecological security barrier. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism and Environmental Development: A Sustainable Perspective)

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27 pages, 9270 KB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Regeneration, Tourism, and Sustainability: A Critical Assessment of Seoullo 7017

by Eun-hye Choung, Soomin Park, Suh-hee Choi and Hyun-wi Yoon

Sustainability 2026, 18(9), 4160; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094160 - 22 Apr 2026

Viewed by 584

Abstract

This study developed a Visitor Attraction Quality Checklist to evaluate amenity infrastructure. Seoullo 7017, an elevated linear park located in the Seoul Station area, is the study region. Drawing on the literature on urban regeneration and tourism, as well as amenity-based approaches and the quality evaluation of elevated linear parks, this study develops evaluation criteria that incorporate the physical environment and safety, accessibility and convenience, landscape and identity, and social usage and experience. By applying a longitudinal analysis, on-site qualitative evaluations were conducted between August 2017 and January 2026. The findings show that Seoullo 7017 functions well as a visitor attraction, offering high-standard safety infrastructure, cleanliness, and good esthetic value to accommodate diverse visitors. However, there is a seasonal disparity in cultural programming and limited connections to the surrounding local economy. This study also reveals that rigid planter designs, a lack of tree maintenance, and insufficient shaded areas limit spatial flexibility and visitor comfort. For Seoullo 7017 to pursue sustainability, it must refine its horticultural management, integrate with local businesses, and improve its design. The Visitor Attraction Quality Checklist serves as a longitudinal diagnostic tool for managing elevated urban linear parks as an outcome of global regeneration projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism and Environmental Development: A Sustainable Perspective)

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20 pages, 460 KB

Open AccessArticle

Digital Tourism Communication and Sustainable Tourist Behavior: The Role of Social Networking Service Information Characteristics in Shaping Destination Image and Behavioral Intentions

by Mengmeng Zhang, Yang Wu, Kecun Chen and Sangguk Kang

Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3612; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073612 - 7 Apr 2026

Viewed by 718

Abstract

This study investigates how social networking service (SNS) tourism information characteristics influence destination image and behavioral intentions in digital tourism communication. Drawing on the stimulus–organism–response (S-O-R) framework, SNS information characteristics are conceptualized as vividness, convenience, interactivity, and reliability, and their effects on affective image, cognitive image, and SNS behavioral intentions are examined. Data were collected from 273 Chinese tourists who used SNS platforms to obtain information about Jeju Island, and structural equation modeling (SEM) with bootstrapping was employed to test direct and mediating effects. Results indicate that convenience significantly influences cognitive image; vividness, convenience, and interactivity significantly affect affective image; and reliability shows no significant effect. Affective image positively influences behavioral intentions, whereas cognitive image does not. In addition, vividness, interactivity, and reliability directly influence behavioral intentions, while convenience has no direct effect. Mediation analysis shows that affective image partially mediates the effects of vividness and interactivity and fully mediates the effect of convenience, whereas cognitive image does not exhibit a significant mediating role. These findings highlight the importance of affective mechanisms in digital tourism communication and provide practical implications for sustainable destination marketing and digital tourism management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism and Environmental Development: A Sustainable Perspective)

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30 pages, 1237 KB

Open AccessArticle

Rethinking Residents’ Support for Sustainable Tourism Development: Integrating Social Exchange Theory and Environmental Concern

by Eren Erkılıç, Yusuf Karakuş and Gökhan Onat

Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3521; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073521 - 3 Apr 2026

Viewed by 591

Abstract

This study argues that local communities’ support for sustainable tourism development cannot be explained solely by the perceived benefit–cost balance, and aims to extend Social Change Theory (SET) from an environmental concern perspective. In the existing literature, local community support is largely based on rational assessments; however, the explanatory power of this approach remains limited, particularly in destinations with high environmental concern. Accordingly, this study examines the mediating role of environmental concern in the relationship between perceived tourism impacts and support for tourism development (STD), thereby testing the conditional nature of such support. Research data were collected via a structured survey from local residents (n = 414) in Rize, one of Turkey’s environmentally sensitive destinations, and the proposed theoretical model was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings indicate that perceived personal benefits and the positive effects of tourism significantly increase local residents’ satisfaction and their STD. In contrast, it was determined that perceived negative impacts do not directly reduce support; rather, this relationship emerges indirectly through environmental concern. These results reveal that local community support is not an automatic response but a conditional process shaped within the framework of environmental values and sustainability conditions. The study re-evaluates the explanatory power of SET through a mechanism that incorporates environmental concern and offers a more comprehensive framework for understanding local community behavior in the context of sustainable tourism. The findings highlight the decisive role of incorporating environmental sensitivities in tourism planning on local support, providing important implications for policymakers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism and Environmental Development: A Sustainable Perspective)

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21 pages, 3413 KB

Open AccessArticle

Designing Sustainable Recreation Corridors Through Spatial Integration of Outdoor Suitability and Ecological Risk: A Case Study of China’s Giant Panda National Park

by Hu Liu, Kun Yuan, Dandan Liu and Liang Yin

Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 2694; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18062694 - 10 Mar 2026

Viewed by 394

Abstract

Balancing tourism development with ecological integrity remains a central challenge in the management of protected areas. This study proposes a spatial framework that integrates the Outdoor Recreation Suitability Index (ORSI) and the Landscape Ecological Risk Index (ERI) to identify and optimize low-impact recreation corridors within Giant Panda National Park, China. Recreation suitability and ecological risk were modeled using environmental variables and landscape metrics, respectively. The results reveal a clear spatial pattern: high-suitability zones are concentrated in the central and northeastern areas, characterized by gentle terrain and extensive forest cover, while ecological risk is elevated in fragmented, human-disturbed peripheral regions. Although ORSI and ERI exhibit an overall negative spatial correlation, bivariate analysis reveals localized mismatches—areas where high recreation potential coincides with ecological vulnerability—indicating potential conflict zones. These zones are typically located along transitional park boundaries where accessibility intersects with ecological sensitivity. To mitigate such conflicts, a least-cost path analysis was conducted based on a composite resistance surface combining ORSI and inverted ERI values. The resulting corridor network connects 40 core areas while effectively avoiding ecological hotspots. Corridor buffers are predominantly composed of forest and shrubland, suggesting high environmental compatibility, particularly in the Qinling region. By translating spatial trade-offs into practical corridor design, this study provides a replicable approach for harmonizing recreation planning with conservation objectives. The proposed framework offers actionable guidance for evidence-based zoning, visitor flow management, and adaptive tourism development in ecologically sensitive protected landscapes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism and Environmental Development: A Sustainable Perspective)

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