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Sustainable Development in Urban and Rural Tourism

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 24477

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Ibiza Island Council University College of Tourism, University of the Balearic Islands, 07800 Ibiza, Spain
Interests: tourism management; tourism marketing; tourist destinations; residents' attitudes; hospitality management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Business, University of A Coruña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain
Interests: corporate social responsibility; human resources; social media; entrepreneurship; business organization; business management
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Guest Editor
Departamento de Economía Financiera y Contabilidad, Instituto Universitario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Territorial Sostenible (INTERRA), Universidad de Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
Interests: business, finance and tourism; heritage, resource and service management; sustainable rural development; natural and cultural resources; water resources management; agricultural resources management; land resources management; financial economics; accounting and management; sustainability; entrepreneurship; innovation, quality and environmental management systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since the appearance of mass tourism in the 1950s and 1960s, concern about the impacts of this activity on host regions and societies has been permanent and has increased over time. This led to the appearance of a very important area of tourism research, such as residents’ attitudes. Measurements of tourism impacts, including economic, socio-cultural and environmental, were also very important. Normally, tourism development is encouraged for its economic benefits, but there is great concern about the costs to society and the environment.

In recent decades, concern for avoiding the negative impacts of human activity and ensuring economic, social, cultural and environmental sustainability has grown rapidly, all to avoid irreversible deterioration and so that future generations do not face a worse situation than the current one. This concern has translated into legislative measures, social awareness, business initiatives and academic research. The measures taken by companies have been grouped under the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and are important in multiple sectors, including tourism.

All academic research on tourism can be considered to seek to improve sustainability in specific cases, situations and aspects. However, research on the sustainable development of tourism tends to focus on the impacts of various types of tourism and how to make it a sustainable activity in the long term by minimizing costs and maximizing benefits. Within these approaches, studies on impacts on local societies and cultures stand out, highlighting how they change due to tourism development. Studies on environmental impacts and resource management (e.g., water, electricity, territory, etc.) are also important, as are the studies on the residents’ attitudes and on the CSR in tourism companies.

This Special Issue seeks to expand the flow of academic research related to a sector of great global importance (tourism) and representing a great concern (sustainable development). Potential topics for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Alterations in the natural environment of tourist companies and activities;
  • Analysis of the economic, social and environmental evolution of tourist regions;
  • Application of corporate social responsibility in tourism companies;
  • Cultural landscape and rural tourism development;
  • Crisis and resilience in tourism companies and destinations;
  • Difficulties for the management of mature destinations;
  • Management of cultural and natural resources in tourist destinations;
  • Residents’ attitudes, their causes and consequences;
  • Social and cultural changes in societies receiving tourists;
  • Sustainability actions by tourism companies.

Dr. José Ramón-Cardona
Dr. María Dolores Sánchez-Fernández
Prof. Dr. José Álvarez-García
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

  • corporate social responsibility (CSR)
  • cultural landscape
  • economic impacts
  • environmental impacts
  • gastronomy
  • hospitality management
  • local, rural and urban tourism
  • mature destinations
  • overtourism
  • regional development
  • residents’ attitudes
  • social impacts
  • sustainable development
  • tangible and intangible heritage
  • tourism development
  • tourism planning

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 3653 KiB  
Article
Spatial Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Traditional Villages Distribution in the Yellow River Basin
by Wulantuoya Bao and Yangxuan Liu
Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 4834; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114834 - 24 May 2025
Viewed by 541
Abstract
Traditional villages in the Yellow River Basin of China are vital carriers of cultural heritage, ecological sustainability, and socio-economic development. This study employs spatial econometric analysis to examine the distribution patterns and influencing factors of 888 traditional villages in the region. The findings [...] Read more.
Traditional villages in the Yellow River Basin of China are vital carriers of cultural heritage, ecological sustainability, and socio-economic development. This study employs spatial econometric analysis to examine the distribution patterns and influencing factors of 888 traditional villages in the region. The findings reveal a clustering pattern, with high-density areas in Shanxi and medium-density clusters in Shaanxi and Qinghai, while northern and southern regions remain sparse. Over time, the spatial center of village distribution has shifted along a north–south–north–east–west trajectory. The spatial distribution of traditional villages exhibits distinct regional characteristics and differences, shaped by several key influencing factors. These include elevation, precipitation, river proximity, road density, and the presence of cultural heritage units. Results show that in the upper reaches of the Yellow River Basin, natural factors primarily determine village locations. In contrast, economic development and infrastructure factors play a larger role in shaping village transformation in the middle and lower reaches. Policy interventions, such as cultural heritage protection, have a greater impact on remote upper areas. The influence of these factors varies spatially, highlighting the importance of region-specific conservation strategies. Based on these findings, this study proposes targeted strategies for the conservation and development of traditional villages, including multi-type protection systems, cultural corridor construction, watershed-based governance, and enhanced infrastructure and policy support. These strategies aim to support the sustainable development and long-term preservation of traditional villages in the Yellow River Basin. By integrating geographic, economic, and cultural perspectives, this research provides valuable insights into the spatial evolution of traditional villages and informs policy recommendations for achieving balanced rural development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development in Urban and Rural Tourism)
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26 pages, 9212 KiB  
Article
Agent-Based Model Applied for the Study of Overtourism in an Urban Context
by Janwar Moreno, Jairo Parada and David Daniel Peña-Miranda
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3248; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073248 - 5 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1356
Abstract
This research aims to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of residents and tourists in an urban context, assessing the risk of overtourism. To achieve this, a tourist city is conceptualized as a complex system and examined through an agent-based model (ABM), which [...] Read more.
This research aims to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of residents and tourists in an urban context, assessing the risk of overtourism. To achieve this, a tourist city is conceptualized as a complex system and examined through an agent-based model (ABM), which simulates the interactions between heterogeneous agents and their environment. This computational approach enables the exploration of emergent spatial-temporal patterns and facilitates the interpretation of overtourism as a real-world experiment. The case study focuses on Santa Marta (Colombia), a well-established coastal destination currently facing potential entry into a phase of tourism decline if management remains reactive. Simulation results reveal a high risk of overtourism and illustrate the differentiated effects of two plausible management strategies at distinct spatial scales. Additionally, this study proposes a tourism intensity indicator, addressing the problem of overestimating tourism pressure in existing metrics. The proposed model offers a valuable decision-support tool for assessing impacts and designing proactive management measures in destinations experiencing rapid tourist growth across multiple spatial and temporal dimensions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development in Urban and Rural Tourism)
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24 pages, 1181 KiB  
Article
Environmental Concerns and Water Conservation Behavior in Desert Tourism: Applying the Extended Norm Activation Theory for Gen Z Tourists
by Zabih-Allah Torabi, Colin Michael Hall, Nazanin Azarniou and Gholamreza Borzu
Sustainability 2025, 17(6), 2474; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062474 - 12 Mar 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1654
Abstract
This study examines the influence of environmental concerns on water conservation behaviors among Gen Z tourists in Iranian desert regions by extending the Norm Activation Theory (NAT). Adopting a quantitative approach, data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 330 Gen Z tourists [...] Read more.
This study examines the influence of environmental concerns on water conservation behaviors among Gen Z tourists in Iranian desert regions by extending the Norm Activation Theory (NAT). Adopting a quantitative approach, data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 330 Gen Z tourists (born between 1997 and 2012) who visited four Iranian desert villages (Qale Bala, Mesr, Abyaneh, and Rezaabad) between April and July 2023. Using systematic sampling, every fifth Gen Z tourist was selected. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results show that environmental concerns, situational responsibility, and personal norms positively impact water conservation behaviors, while denial of responsibility negatively affects them. Personal norms positively influence pride and guilt emotions, which in turn promote water conservation behaviors. The extended model, incorporating environmental concerns, demonstrated improved explanatory power over the original NAT. This research contributes to sustainable tourism literature by integrating environmental concerns and moral emotions into the NAT framework, offering insights into psychological mechanisms driving pro-environmental behaviors among Gen Z tourists in desert environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development in Urban and Rural Tourism)
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21 pages, 1007 KiB  
Article
Gastronomy as a Predictor of Tourism Development—Defining Food-Related Factors from the Perspective of Hospitality and Tourism Employees in Srem (A.P. Vojvodina, R. Serbia)
by Bojana Kalenjuk Pivarski, Dragan Tešanović, Stefan Šmugović, Velibor Ivanović, Maja Paunić, Dragana Vuković Vojnović, Vesna Vujasinović and Snježana Gagić Jaraković
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 10834; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162410834 - 11 Dec 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2824
Abstract
Gastronomy is a key driver of regional tourism development. Despite growing recognition of its role in enhancing tourist experiences, the specific contributions of food-related factors remain insufficiently explored, especially from the perspective of hospitality and tourism employees. To address this gap, an investigation [...] Read more.
Gastronomy is a key driver of regional tourism development. Despite growing recognition of its role in enhancing tourist experiences, the specific contributions of food-related factors remain insufficiently explored, especially from the perspective of hospitality and tourism employees. To address this gap, an investigation was carried out in the tourist region of Srem (A.P. Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia) through the perspective of employees in the hospitality and tourism sector. The custom-made GastroRegDevelop scale, developed for the purpose of this research, was used to comprise the food-related factors. The scale was carefully crafted through expert consultations, pilot testing, and its adaptation to the specific features of the gastronomy of the Srem Region, to ensure its clarity and validity. From a sample of 254 respondents, the survey identified four key food-related factors that contribute to tourism development: authenticity, events, quality, and food offer. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to analyze the collected data to reveal the initial factors, followed by the ordinal regression to evaluate their impact on employees’ satisfaction with the role of food in tourism and its economic effects in the region. The results indicated the importance of these factors for economic growth and tourist attractiveness, where the respondents singled out the authenticity and quality of local products as key elements in attracting tourists and increasing tourism-related income. This study not only highlights the urgent need for addressing specific food-related factors to maximize visitor satisfaction and regional economic impact, but also underscores the critical role of gastronomy in fostering sustainable regional development and establishing a unique regional identity within the global tourism market. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development in Urban and Rural Tourism)
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17 pages, 2360 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Weaving: Guano Knotted Carpets as a Tourism Experience Contributing to Territorial Development
by Claudia Patricia Maldonado-Erazo, Silvia Patricia Montúfar-Guevara, Catalina Margarita Verdugo-Bernal and Amador Durán-Sánchez
Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10558; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310558 - 2 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1984
Abstract
Sustainable tourism is a management model that can easily be applied in the territories declared as “Pueblo Mágico”, promoting economic strengthening, as well as opportunities for environmental and cultural preservation, by means of tourism through the use of the historical–cultural characteristics of these [...] Read more.
Sustainable tourism is a management model that can easily be applied in the territories declared as “Pueblo Mágico”, promoting economic strengthening, as well as opportunities for environmental and cultural preservation, by means of tourism through the use of the historical–cultural characteristics of these territories. One of the main challenges is to find a balance between promoting tourism and conserving intangible cultural heritage. In July 2024, Guano, located in the province of Chimborazo, Ecuador, was re-accredited within the Magical Towns of Ecuador Program. Within this process, one of the main elements to reach this milestone was creating a meaningful tourism experience based on one of the cultural manifestations certified as part of the intangible cultural heritage of Ecuador: the weaving technique used to create Guano knotted carpets. This article examines how this technique was integrated into tourism development by focusing on knowledge transfer and symbolic and historical value, avoiding tourist overexploitation, which can lead to the erosion of traditions and loss of their cultural significance. The methodology used is a participatory action research methodology. This experience not only offers an opportunity for tourists to connect with local culture, but it can also be a driver of sustainable development. By integrating this tradition into a responsible tourism model, economic, social, and environmental benefits can be generated, which strengthen communities and preserve their cultural heritage. To sum up, sustainable tourism in Guano, Ecuador, can balance tourism promotion and cultural heritage preservation, and the integration of the knotted carpet weaving technique as a tourism experience strengthens local identity and generates economic, social, and environmental benefits, promoting sustainable development and avoiding cultural commodification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development in Urban and Rural Tourism)
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16 pages, 3776 KiB  
Article
Mapping Scientific Knowledge of Renewable Energy and Tourism
by Donaji Jiménez-Islas, Miriam E. Pérez-Romero, José Álvarez-García and María de la Cruz del Río-Rama
Sustainability 2024, 16(15), 6356; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156356 - 25 Jul 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2044
Abstract
The need for energy in different global industries encourages the development and application of clean energy. Tourism, being a global development sector, requires energy to maintain the comfort of tourists. The development of technology requires basic science and application studies that allow us [...] Read more.
The need for energy in different global industries encourages the development and application of clean energy. Tourism, being a global development sector, requires energy to maintain the comfort of tourists. The development of technology requires basic science and application studies that allow us to know the scientific evolution and trends in research, which is of great relevance in the fields of tourism and renewable energy. Within this context, the aim of the article is to analyze the evolution of research publications focused on renewable energy and tourism indexed in Scopus from 2008 to 2023 using a bibliometric approach. The search strategy identified 90 documents. Tools such as VOSviewer (version: 1.6.18) and Power BI (version: 13.0.23776.64) were used to assist in conducting the bibliometric analysis and network. The results of this work indicate that there is a growth in the authors’ interest in renewable energy and tourism, with a specific growth rate of 0.1927 years−1. “Environmental Science and Pollution Research” is the journal with the most publications, and China ranks first in publications. Authors prefer to publish in Q1 and Q2 journals to increase the reach of their publications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development in Urban and Rural Tourism)
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19 pages, 27505 KiB  
Article
A Model for Estimating the Tourism Carrying Capacity of a Tourism Corridor: A Case Study of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
by Sui Ye, Ziqiang Li and Jianchao Xi
Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5466; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135466 - 27 Jun 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2485
Abstract
Research on the tourism carrying capacity (TCC) serves as the scientific basis for ensuring the sustainable development of tourism and is vital for the establishment of tourism corridors. From the novel perspective of the space of flows, in this study, we conducted a [...] Read more.
Research on the tourism carrying capacity (TCC) serves as the scientific basis for ensuring the sustainable development of tourism and is vital for the establishment of tourism corridors. From the novel perspective of the space of flows, in this study, we conducted a set of evaluations of the TCCs of tourism corridors using the methods of space–time consumption and linear programming in operational research. Through empirical investigation of the five tourism corridors in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, we arrived at the following conclusions: (i) The traffic carrying capacity of the tourism corridors amounts to 2,463,600 people/day. (ii) Under the constraints of urban reception service facilities and tourist attraction capacity, the traffic carrying capacity of each section is only 1,782,400 people/day. The research results scientifically reflect the current carrying capacity of tourism traffic in different corridors and sections, as well as the state of road traffic and the urban tourism infrastructure along corridors experiencing overload. This paper not only verifies the feasibility of the proposed theoretical method but also provides an optimization plan and theoretical support for enhancing the sustainable development of the tourism industry on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development in Urban and Rural Tourism)
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29 pages, 33128 KiB  
Article
Ecolodge Tourism Dynamics: A Village-Level Analysis of Marketing and Policy Indicators in Iran’s Hawraman Region
by Mehdi Pourtaheri, Zabih-Allah Torabi, Amir Reza Khavarian-Garmsir, Saeed Sajadi and Colin Micheal Hall
Sustainability 2024, 16(12), 5072; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16125072 - 14 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2500
Abstract
Despite growing interest in community-based ecotourism as a pathway to sustainable development, there is a critical lack of research on how localized configurations of marketing and policy factors shape ecolodge performance at the village level. This study addresses this gap by pioneering a [...] Read more.
Despite growing interest in community-based ecotourism as a pathway to sustainable development, there is a critical lack of research on how localized configurations of marketing and policy factors shape ecolodge performance at the village level. This study addresses this gap by pioneering a comprehensive, contextually grounded analysis of the availability and desirability of key marketing and policy indicators across 25 rural villages in Iran’s culturally and ecologically rich Hawraman region. By employing an innovative mixed-methods approach blending statistical analysis, GIS spatial modeling, surveys, and interviews, the research reveals striking heterogeneity in ecolodge constraints and opportunities, even within a localized setting. Spatial analysis uncovers distance decay effects, with peripheral villages facing exacerbated accessibility deficits compared to centrally located ones. Substantial variations in marketing effectiveness and governance capacities underscore the inadequacy of one-size-fits-all tourism planning. The findings make a novel contribution by demonstrating the imperative for transitioning from monolithic interventions to hyper-localized, place-based strategies tailored to each village’s unique barrier and asset profiles. Embracing this paradigm shift promises to enhance the equity and sustainability of ecolodge tourism in rural contexts globally. The study provides an original methodological blueprint for harnessing multi-modal diagnostics to unpack complex tourism dynamics and catalyze transformative, community-centric solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development in Urban and Rural Tourism)
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32 pages, 4199 KiB  
Article
The Importance of the Product “Tourism in Bullfighting Ranches” in Spain from the Perspective of the Breeders
by Paloma Flores-García, José Manuel Sánchez-Martín and Juan Ignacio Rengifo-Gallego
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4837; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114837 - 5 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1757
Abstract
Bullfighting tourism is a recent tourism modality that is in constant growth, and which consists of visits to bullfighting ranches with the aim of showing what life is like for this animal in its natural habitat. This activity represents a source of extra [...] Read more.
Bullfighting tourism is a recent tourism modality that is in constant growth, and which consists of visits to bullfighting ranches with the aim of showing what life is like for this animal in its natural habitat. This activity represents a source of extra income for many breeders, but it has not yet been adequately promoted and publicized. This study analyzes the supply side of this type of tourism. For this purpose, a non-parametric statistical model has been used and results have been obtained which corroborate that the promotion of this type of tourism is scarce, and that the breeders began to offer this type of tourism to make known what life is like for the fighting bull in the countryside and to increase their income. Furthermore, in this study, it is fundamental to differentiate between bullfighting and bullfighting tourism so that this type of tourism can reach the greatest possible number of people and not be influenced by thoughts against bullfighting, as they are different activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development in Urban and Rural Tourism)
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27 pages, 3588 KiB  
Article
University Students’ Perception of the Dehesa and the Associated Traditional Trades
by Rebeca Guillén-Peñafiel, Ana María Hernández-Carretero and José Manuel Sánchez-Martín
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3843; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093843 - 2 May 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1955
Abstract
The dehesas are one of the most emblematic landscapes of the Extremadura region (Spain). Along with its natural values, it preserves a wide repertoire of knowledge and trades rooted in the history and tradition of rural communities. However, the knowledge and practices that [...] Read more.
The dehesas are one of the most emblematic landscapes of the Extremadura region (Spain). Along with its natural values, it preserves a wide repertoire of knowledge and trades rooted in the history and tradition of rural communities. However, the knowledge and practices that have characterized life in this environment are currently under serious threat. Faced with this problem, this study was based on the premise that, for individuals to commit themselves to the care and transmission of heritage, it is first necessary for them to know, understand and value it. For this reason, the main objective was to determine the knowledge and appreciation of university students with respect to the dehesa and the ancestral practice of grazing. It also aimed to analyze which are the most valued methodologies, activities, and future strategies for understanding and preserving these cultural landscapes and their ancestral practices. To this end, 400 university students were surveyed, and various quantitative and qualitative analyses were carried out. Quantitative techniques include analyses based on weighted averages, contingency tables and the chi-square test, while qualitative techniques are based on word frequency analysis and inductive content analysis. Despite coming from an environment dominated by this landscape and being one of the few regions that still preserve the ancestral practice of pastoralism, the results corroborated the students’ lack of understanding of the dehesa and the variety of uses it offers. In addition, it was evident that they have hardly frequented this landscape and have not participated in on-site educational experiences. It also revealed the importance of experiential and sensory activities in the understanding and appreciation of the rural environment and its traditions. The results can be useful for improving the design of educational tourism products based on intangible heritage. It can also be useful for adapting teaching strategies and activities to the level of knowledge and experiences of students, helping to ensure the success of the educational experience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development in Urban and Rural Tourism)
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