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Tourism Sustainomics: Ecological and Economic Pillars, with Stakeholder and Political Implementation for Sustainable Development

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 9637

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Tanja Mihalic

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Economics, School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana (SEBLU), Kardeljeva pl. 17, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: tourism economics; competitiveness; sustainability; responsibility; sustainomics; responsustable tourism; tourism educational values; tourism environmental management; contemporary sustainable tourism paradigm; over- and undertourism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Larry Dwyer

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Business School, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
Interests: tourism economics and policy; sustainable destination development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite submissions for a Special Issue dedicated to advancing the emerging field of Tourism Sustainomics. This issue seeks to enhance our multidisciplinary comprehension of sustainable tourism development by exploring the dual framework of what needs to be sustained within tourism and how it can be effectively implemented. Tourism Sustainomics bridges sustainability theory and practical development in tourism, encompassing ecological, economic, stakeholder, and political dimensions to promote a comprehensive approach to sustainable tourism. This meta-science framework combines robust theoretical foundations with actionable approaches, engaging all stakeholders in effective policy, governance and management practices.

The scope of this Special Issue is structured around the dual framework of Sustainable Tourism Development: three sustainability pillars that cover economic and ecological dimensions, and stakeholders' and political implementational dimensions. We welcome contributions that provide theoretical insights and propose innovative solutions pertinent to sustainable tourism development and its underlying values. Specific areas of interest include the following:

  1. Tourism Sustainability Conceptualisation
    • Explore the balance and interplay among economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
    • Topics may address planetary economic and ecological impacts, tourism resilience, and the interconnections between economy and ecology. We encourage contributions that integrate contemporary phenomena such as digital, metaversal (cyber), or cosmic sustainability.
  2. Tourism Sustainability Implementation
    • Discuss the implementation of sustainability in addressing real-world tourism development challenges.
    • Topics may encompass stakeholder engagement (industry, residents, tourists), commitment to sustainable development, socio-political responsibilities, governance, leadership, destination management, policies, and other practices. We particularly welcome contributions on emerging solutions for policymakers and tourism developers, including technological, social, and managerial innovations tied to climate change, sustainable development goals (SDGs), and smart or regenerative tourism approaches.
  3. Emerging Challenges and Innovations:
    • Address new phenomena and trends influencing the Sustainable Tourism discourse.
    • Topics may include overtourism, undertourism, antitourism, smart and regenerative tourism, tourism degrowth, sustainable development, and well-being outcomes, drawing from academic disciplinary or interdisciplinary sources of tourism knowledge (academic databases, web sources, generative AI, and indigenous knowledge). Submissions offering innovative perspectives on new paradigms and dimensions of tourism sustainability and responsibility are highly sought.

We eagerly anticipate your contributions to propel the evolution of Tourism Sustainomics as a leading multidisciplinary social science of sustainable tourism through this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Tanja Mihalic
Prof. Dr. Larry Dwyer
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

  • sustainable tourism development
  • sustainability conceptualisation
  • developmental approaches
  • tourism sustainomics
  • stakeholder engagement
  • political implementation responsibility
  • tourism resilience
  • innovations
  • cyber space
  • cosmos
  • tourism paradigm

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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33 pages, 5838 KiB  
Article
The Misunderstanding Between Tourism Resilience and Survival: Stakeholder Perceptions and Policy Effectiveness in Ecuador During the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis
by Freddy Espinoza-Figueroa, Dominique Vanneste, Byron Alvarado-Vanegas, Karina Farfán-Pacheco, Santiago Rodríguez-Girón and Victor Saquicela
Sustainability 2025, 17(9), 4034; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17094034 - 30 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1086
Abstract
Tourism has proven to be highly vulnerable to external disruptions, particularly in communities with low levels of tourism development. In this context, this study examines residents’ attitudes towards tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic and assesses the impact of public and private initiatives in [...] Read more.
Tourism has proven to be highly vulnerable to external disruptions, particularly in communities with low levels of tourism development. In this context, this study examines residents’ attitudes towards tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic and assesses the impact of public and private initiatives in the Cajas Massif Biosphere Area (CMBA), located in southern Ecuador. Employing a mixed-methods approach, 825 surveys were conducted alongside 25 interviews with key sector stakeholders. The objective was to determine whether these attitudes reflect genuine resilience or merely a survival strategy in response to the crisis. The findings indicate that, despite some collective efforts and mitigation plans, the primary focus remained on short-term income preservation, while government policies prioritised tourism promotion over addressing structural needs, ultimately proving inadequate for tourism recovery. This scenario placed the burden of adaptation on residents, with expressions of solidarity that, however, diminished as the crisis subsided. This study concludes that reactive measures may be mistaken for genuine resilience, highlighting the need for comprehensive policies and more equitable stakeholder participation to strengthen social cohesion and ensure the viability of tourism in the face of future crises. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism Sustainomics: Ecological and Economic Pillars, with Stakeholder and Political Implementation for Sustainable Development)
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19 pages, 2879 KiB  
Article
Negotiating Wellbeing and Tourism: A Reorientation Process in the Cook Islands
by Susanne Becken, Sieni Tiraa and Sera Vada
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1123; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031123 - 30 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1066
Abstract
Tourism growth in the Cook Islands is broadly supported by residents, but evidence of social and environmental harm is mounting. This study examines the role that tourism plays in the dynamic processes of disorientation and reorientation related to tourism development in three islands: [...] Read more.
Tourism growth in the Cook Islands is broadly supported by residents, but evidence of social and environmental harm is mounting. This study examines the role that tourism plays in the dynamic processes of disorientation and reorientation related to tourism development in three islands: Rarotonga, Aitutaki, and Mitiaro. A total of 102 interviews were conducted at a critical juncture where Cook Islanders reflected on the pre-COVID-19 tourism boom and the subsequent shock of border closures. The findings highlight the undeniable economic dominance of tourism and opportunities for individual livelihoods. However, residents expressed that these must not come at the cost of other types of wellbeing, especially in tourism-heavy Rarotonga. A reorientation towards greater connectedness with culture, each other, and local environments was seen as essential. Cook Islanders expressed a need to take control of tourism in ways that are community-driven, balanced across economic/financial, physical, social, spiritual, and mental wellbeing, and in harmony with local carrying capacities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism Sustainomics: Ecological and Economic Pillars, with Stakeholder and Political Implementation for Sustainable Development)
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20 pages, 439 KiB  
Article
Balancing Tourism Development and Sustainability: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach in Tofino over 15 Years
by Rachel Dodds
Sustainability 2025, 17(2), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020609 - 14 Jan 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1471
Abstract
The narrow conceptualization of capitalism is increasingly challenged as destinations recognize the need to integrate equity and resilience into tourism development. Increasingly, destinations have been using tourism to move away from extractive industries and there is no shortage of literature outlining the need [...] Read more.
The narrow conceptualization of capitalism is increasingly challenged as destinations recognize the need to integrate equity and resilience into tourism development. Increasingly, destinations have been using tourism to move away from extractive industries and there is no shortage of literature outlining the need for a more inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach to ensure that sustainability is at the forefront of tourism development considerations. Whether destinations are actually moving towards the more sustainable development of tourism is not always evident and rarely are studies of destinations undertaken over time. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine qualitative research spanning 15 years using a multi-stakeholder approach to understand impacts, issues, and solutions relating to tourism development in Tofino, Canada. Tofino has achieved notable advancements in financial, natural, and social capital but continues to face gaps in addressing other dimensions of the Community Capitals Framework (CCF). Insights from this research to focus on social, human, and built capital earlier on in tourism planning and development may help other destinations who partially or fully depend on tourism for their livelihood. This paper addresses real-world tourism development challenges and encompasses multiple stakeholder views on sustainable development, socio-political responsibilities, governance, leadership, destination management, policies, and other practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism Sustainomics: Ecological and Economic Pillars, with Stakeholder and Political Implementation for Sustainable Development)
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13 pages, 828 KiB  
Article
Tourism Policymaking in Troubling Times: Sustainability-Driven Challenges, Implemented Policies, and Goals for Sustainable Development
by Kir Kuščer, Mike Peters and Sarah Schönherr
Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10599; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310599 - 3 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2236
Abstract
Tourism’s vulnerability to crises underscores the need for new or adapted tourism policies that prioritize sustainable tourism development across ecological, economic, and stakeholder dimensions. While past research has highlighted the relevance of sustainable policies for tourism crisis recovery, the research gap lies in [...] Read more.
Tourism’s vulnerability to crises underscores the need for new or adapted tourism policies that prioritize sustainable tourism development across ecological, economic, and stakeholder dimensions. While past research has highlighted the relevance of sustainable policies for tourism crisis recovery, the research gap lies in the actual implementation of these policies in response to crises. This study examines tourism policymaking in Europe by conducting a quantitative study with 181 tourism organizations responsible for sustainable tourism and its policy implementation. Exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were employed to reveal how tourism policymakers perceive challenges, the subsequent impact on implemented policies, and the intended sustainability-driven goals. Specifically, policies addressing environmental, technological, promotional, and personnel challenges have been enacted due to the climate change crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and financial recessions. These policies not only aim to pursue economic recovery but also contribute to the sustainable development of tourism, engaging key stakeholders and aligning with broader sustainability goals such as climate action and governance. This study addresses the underdeveloped area of sustainomics by contributing to the discourse on political implementation for sustainable development, providing a critical exploration of how tourism governance can enhance sustainability practices in crisis contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism Sustainomics: Ecological and Economic Pillars, with Stakeholder and Political Implementation for Sustainable Development)
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19 pages, 303 KiB  
Article
‘Measuring What Matters’: Resident Well-Being and the Tourism Policy Cycle
by Larry Dwyer
Sustainability 2024, 16(22), 9718; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229718 - 7 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1480
Abstract
As the study of well-being has matured as a statistical and measurement agenda, it has gained relevance as a guide to public policy, generating more comprehensive metrics of human progress and embedding them in public policy initiatives and assessments. Internationally, a growing number [...] Read more.
As the study of well-being has matured as a statistical and measurement agenda, it has gained relevance as a guide to public policy, generating more comprehensive metrics of human progress and embedding them in public policy initiatives and assessments. Internationally, a growing number of governments are attempting to ‘measure what matters’ through the use of well-being frameworks for policy decision-making at different stages of the policy cycle. The overarching vision is to enhance sustainable well-being, reflecting fulfilled lives of persons living now and in the future. Embedded within a conception of the ‘Well-being Economy’, this effort is argued to have substantial implications for tourism destination planning, management, policy assessment, and research. Following an overview of international progress in ‘measuring what matters’, important sources and indicators of well-being are identified, and their relevance to sustainable tourism development is emphasised. The paper thence highlights the potential advantages of using a well-being framework to guide the tourism policy cycle, addressing challenges that arise. The paper concludes with a proposed well-being action and research agenda for destination managers and other tourism stakeholders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism Sustainomics: Ecological and Economic Pillars, with Stakeholder and Political Implementation for Sustainable Development)

Review

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14 pages, 2777 KiB  
Review
Development of an Integrated EV Service Ecosystem Business Model Using Community Ecology and Ecosystem Ecology Concept for Sustainable Tourism Areas: A Review
by Hadi Sutanto Saragi, Joko Siswanto, Fitriani Silalahi, Titah Yudhistira and Nathan Saputra Sitohang
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 10810; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162410810 - 10 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1164
Abstract
The Business Model Canvas and value chain have significantly impacted how companies and entrepreneurs develop their business strategies. Both the Business Model Canvas and the value chain provide a simple, visual approach to effectively map out the key elements of a business. They [...] Read more.
The Business Model Canvas and value chain have significantly impacted how companies and entrepreneurs develop their business strategies. Both the Business Model Canvas and the value chain provide a simple, visual approach to effectively map out the key elements of a business. They have also been used as foundational models for ecosystem business models. Ecosystem business models are created by integrating the Business Model Canvas and the pie model, known as the Integrated Business Model. Another method for generating an ecosystem business model is integrating the value chain and the pie model, known as the service-dominated business model radar. Ecosystem business models with an organizational approach also provide a broad view of the roles of each organization, divided into five actors: governor, input provider, aggregator, enabler, and end user. In this research, the perspective of the ecosystem business model originates from an ecological analogy. The ecological concept consists of community ecology and ecosystem ecology. Community ecology relates to the types of actors that play roles in the ecosystem, while ecosystem ecology pertains to the value chain processes within the ecosystem. This research will discuss the advantages and limitations of the Business Model Canvas, the value chain, and organizations as foundational models for ecosystem business models, as well as opportunities to create new ecosystem business models based on the concepts of community ecology and ecosystem ecology. The new business model developed will be applied to electric vehicles in sustainable tourism areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism Sustainomics: Ecological and Economic Pillars, with Stakeholder and Political Implementation for Sustainable Development)
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