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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: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 14058

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Dr. Krzysztof Widawski

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Guest Editor

Department of Regional Geography and Tourism, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
Interests: tourism; cultural tourism; rural tourism; tourism and heritage

Dr. Federica Burini

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Guest Editor

Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University of Bergamo, Via Salvecchio 19, 24129 Bergamo, Italy
Interests: citizen science; geospatial capacity building

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A ‘region’ is the place where ideas of sustainable development are put into practice. What happens in this space is a real picture of the condition of the sustainable approach to issues in practice. Sustainability is also important in the functioning of tourism. This global phenomenon significantly affects the functioning of a region, and it is the behavior at the local, regional scale that is responsible for the success or failure of sustainable actions, the result of which should be a better condition of tourism in the region both in environmental, natural, and social terms.

The multiplicity of tourism forms; the diversity of tourist behavior; and the motivations behind the decisions taken by the creators of the tourist product, its managers, the local authorities caring for a region, and the tourists indicate how many areas the philosophy of sustainable development should be implemented so that a region, as a depository of resources from which tourism benefits, can successfully maintain its tourist potential in an unchanged form for future generations of tourists. Therefore, when examining the sustainability of tourism in a region, no factor should be overlooked. It is worth examining the impact of tourism in a region on the preservation and functioning of the natural environment, starting with an assessment of its condition and the possibility of using it for the purposes of tourism, through active measures at the level of regional authorities, NGOs, associations, and entities that function professionally in tourism. The importance of a region's social and cultural potential for sustainable development should not be underestimated. The protection of cultural resources is equally important for sustainable development, giving the local community a chance to function in their environment.

Hence, an important field of research should be the natural and cultural environment of a region's rural areas and urbanized spaces—wherever the ideas of sustainable development are implemented. It is worth considering how selected forms of tourism operate in a region in this context, such as tourism of an ecological nature through various tourist behaviors in the rural environment, heritage tourism, and active tourism in its broadest sense. Examples include how tourism opportunities are created, how they are offered and presented to tourists by a region, and how accents are distributed so that sustainability in practice is present in a region's tourism, from information to specific products that embody this idea.

We look forward to receiving valuable contributions.

Dr. Krzysztof Widawski
Dr. Federica Burini
Guest Editors

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Keywords

nature tourism
rural tourism
heritage tourism
tourism management in a region
protected areas
active tourism
sustainable tourism product
sustainable development
case studies
tourist resources

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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22 pages, 306 KB

Open AccessArticle

Regional Tourism Development: The Role of Sustainable Practices, Logistics Infrastructure, Uncertainty, Safety and Economic Environment of the Countries in Attracting Inbound Tourists

by Eman Alanzi, Masahina Sarabdeen, Hawazen Zam Almugren and A. C. Muhammadu Kijas

Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 3968; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083968 - 16 Apr 2026

Viewed by 444

Abstract

Although tourism is increasingly seen as a key component of sustainable regional development and economic diversification, its extraordinary expansion raises governance and environmental issues at the local level. The current study assesses the influencing factors of inbound tourism demand to Saudi Arabia, a strategic empirical study due to its rapid and ambitious transformation under Vision 2030. This national strategy is designed to cultivate diverse tourist destinations, including coastal eco-resorts, mountain nature escapes, and urban cultural hubs. The unique sustainability hurdles in each area make the Kingdom a prime location for analyzing the development of regional tourism. This research focuses on the vibrant interfaces among sustainable practices, logistical efficiency, perceptions of safety and uncertainty, and macroeconomic environments that shape the Kingdom’s competitiveness as a tourism region. The study draws several beneficial findings using balanced panel data of 16 origin countries during the period of 2009–2023 and is assessed using a dynamic panel Generalized Method of Moments model. The findings state extensive perseverance within tourism flows, such that past arrivals significantly enable simultaneous inflows. Inbound tourism is strongly and favourably influenced by destination-side factors, particularly logistical performance, human rights conditions, and Saudi Arabia’s socioeconomic prosperity. In a similar vein, the demand for outward travel is strongly reinforced by origin-country prosperity. But travel expenses attenuate, environmental pressures and political risk reduce arrivals, and relative prices and pandemic uncertainty play a negligible role. The findings highlight the need to upgrade the country’s logistics infrastructure, enhance rights protection and governance, integrate sustainable practices, and capitalise on prosperity to make Saudi Arabia a desirable travel destination by Vision 2030. A key contribution of this study is to demonstrate how infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and institutional quality shape a region’s tourism attractiveness. The study illustrates how sustainability must be incorporated into regional-specific strategies to balance economic goals with ecological and social imperatives, providing a framework for other countries interested in sustainable tourism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Regional Tourism)

25 pages, 4334 KB

Open AccessArticle

Airbnb and Housing Commodification in Small Tourist Cities in Southern Chile

by Luis Vergara-Erices, Matías Parra-Salazar and Jorge Olea-Peñaloza

Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 3670; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083670 - 8 Apr 2026

Viewed by 586

Abstract

The platformization of urban space is opening new frontiers of capital accumulation, particularly through short-term rentals. Airbnb plays a central role in this process by commodifying housing in tourist destinations. Despite its rapid growth, research on Airbnb in Latin America—especially in small tourist cities—remains limited and largely focused on metropolitan contexts. This article addresses this gap with the objective of analyzing how platform-mediated short-term rentals reorient housing markets beyond traditional urban cores. It is hypothesized that Airbnb expands housing commodification by extending tourism-oriented uses into new residential areas and by redistributing returns unevenly across actors. Using a quantitative and geospatial approach, the results reveal a strong presence of Airbnb in rural and natural areas, from which the highest returns are extracted, as well as a high concentration of accommodation supply among professional hosts. These dynamics reconfigure housing use toward asset-based logics, posing challenges for housing security and social and territorial sustainability in small tourist cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Regional Tourism)

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26 pages, 1810 KB

Open AccessArticle

Going Live, Going Alive: The Transformative Power of Digital Capital in Sustainable Tourism Development

by Manfei Yao, Sedigheh Moghavvemi and Thinaranjeney A/P Thirumoorthi

Sustainability 2026, 18(5), 2666; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18052666 - 9 Mar 2026

Viewed by 610

Abstract

In the digital era, even the most remote communities are increasingly connected to global networks. However, a critical question persists: how can such connectivity translate into tangible economic growth and sustainable development for isolated mountainous villages? Guided by the sustainable livelihood framework, this study investigates how digital capital—specifically the use of social media to showcase a village’s natural and cultural assets—drives tourism development and improves local livelihoods. Focusing on Dazhai Village in China, a rural community that gained substantial online attention and tourism inflow through social media promotion, this research employs qualitative methods, including 17 semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and matrix coding techniques via NVivo 12 Plus. Findings reveal that the introduction of digital capital enhances village visibility, stimulates tourist interest, and initiates a development trajectory describe as “going live.” In contrast, “going alive” refers to the process of revitalizing a once abandoned, impoverished mountain village, enabling it to survive and thrive once more. However, the sustainability of this trajectory is fragile as the departure of influential digital promoters can deplete digital capital, undermining diminishing online engagement and risking renewed marginalization. To transform “going live” into “going alive,” remote communities must continuously adapt and reinforce their online presence to secure long-term stakeholders’ engagement and resilient tourism flows. An interesting finding of this study is that the village achieved regenerative tourism, whereby its environmental conditions improved as a result of tourism development. This unexpected outcome was facilitated by sustained visibility, both online and offline, which prompted residents to place greater emphasis on environmental protection. This study enriches the sustainable livelihoods framework by integrating digital capital and regenerative tourism into the understanding of livelihood assets and outcomes in remote settings. Ultimately, it underscores the transformative potential of digital capital in revitalizing “hollowed-out” villages, offering a strategic pathway for remote communities to reclaim their developmental agency and achieve sustainable rural revitalization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Regional Tourism)

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20 pages, 2889 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Threshold of Authenticity and the Limits of Cultural Involvement: A Non-Linear Perspective on Heritage Tourist Loyalty

by Shuaizheng Zhao, Yana Zhang, Yitong Niu and Azizan Marzuki

Sustainability 2026, 18(5), 2226; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18052226 - 25 Feb 2026

Viewed by 499

Abstract

As urban heritage tourism faces the challenge of balancing conservation and development, understanding the non-linear drivers of tourist loyalty becomes crucial for sustainable development of urban heritage tourism. This study delves into how perceived authenticity and cultural involvement affect tourist loyalty in an urban heritage district and tests whether these effects vary across different experience levels. Data was collected using a structured survey questionnaire, which was administered through on-site convenience sampling. To ensure the reliability and validity of the data, a face-to-face recruitment approach was employed, with participants invited to complete the survey immediately after their visit. The sample consisted of 469 domestic tourists in the Pingjiang Historic Block. The study applied quadratic modeling within Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze both linear and non-linear relationships among the key factors. The results indicate that loyalty is driven primarily by experiential and involvement-related processes, with cultural motivation and object-based authenticity influencing loyalty mainly through existential authenticity and cultural involvement, rather than through direct effects. The findings showed that the non-linear relationships were observed in the process of loyalty formation, whereas the relationships among antecedents and cultural involvement remain largely linear. Specifically, both object-based authenticity and existential authenticity have a minimum credibility threshold that must be met before loyalty increases meaningfully, while cultural involvement follows an inverted U-shaped pattern, implying diminishing returns beyond an optimal level. This study contributes to a further understanding of the complex relationship between authenticity and tourist loyalty. The findings provide a novel perspective for policymakers, offering insights into how the non-linear relationships of loyalty can be leveraged to promote the sustainable development of urban heritage tourism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Regional Tourism)

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24 pages, 2104 KB

Open AccessArticle

Digital Empowerment and Sustainable Tourism: Spatiotemporal Coupling Coordination Analysis of Digital Technology and High-Quality Development in China’s A-Level Scenic Spots

by Hongmei Dong and Jiali Zeng

Sustainability 2025, 17(22), 10293; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210293 - 17 Nov 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1840

Abstract

The rapid advancement of digital technology has profoundly transformed the tourism industry, driving a shift from scale expansion toward high-quality and sustainable growth. However, spatiotemporal nature of digital empowerment’s support for sustainable tourism, particularly under heterogeneous regional conditions, remains insufficiently examined. To address this gap, this study constructs a dual-system evaluation framework and employs the entropy method to measure the spatiotemporal Coupling Coordination Degree (CCD) between digital technology and tourism development of A-Level Scenic Spots across 30 Chinese provinces (2013–2020). The entropy method is employed to build indicator systems for both subsystems, and CCD is calculated to assess the interaction strength and coordination level. The results reveal that: (1) A-level scenic spot development exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity, declining clearly from Eastern/Central to Western/Northeast regions; (2) CCD showed a general upward trend during 2013–2019 and it followed a nonlinear trajectory of decline first but then recovery, establishing a stable spatial pattern: East > Central > West/Northeast; (3) The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a temporary drop in CCD nationwide, but regional resilience varied considerably; (4) Provinces in the disordered stage are generally of the digital technology lagging type. Economic foundation, digital facilities, industrial structure and innovation capability are key drivers of coordination differences. We propose that leading regions should focus on cross-regional data sharing and green-smart upgrading, while lagging regions must prioritize digital infrastructure investment and talent introduction to effectively bridge the digital divide and foster equitable and high-quality sustainable tourism development. This study provides new insights for promoting regional sustainability through digital technology development and offers policy recommendations for advancing digital–tourism synergy in different regional contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Regional Tourism)

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36 pages, 14002 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Archaeological Tourism—A Framework of an Assessment Method for Potential Tourism Use of Hillforts (Gords) in the Lower Silesia Region, Poland

by Damian Werczyński and Krzysztof Widawski

Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7536; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167536 - 20 Aug 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2957

Abstract

This study seeks to develop and evaluate a methodological framework for assessing the tourism potential of hillforts, by using a selected sample of 25 of these heritage resources located in the Lower Silesia Voivodeship. This region, as one of Poland’s most popular among domestic and international tourists, is increasingly confronting overtourism at its primary attractions. Concurrently, it possesses underutilised cultural assets, notably 250 remnants of gords/hillforts (grodziska in Polish) spanning various historical periods and dispersed across the whole area. Thus, to ensure the universality of the method, samples of hillforts from three main topographic zones of Lower Silesia were selected. In addition to the aim of testing the method, a secondary objective of the research involved conducting a preliminary assessment of selected hillforts’ tourism potential in different parts of the voivodeship. The methodology combined desk research and field studies across all selected archaeological sites. Concerning the primary objective, the developed assessment tool effectively replicated the multidimensional analytical framework characteristic of established methodologies, yielding reliable outcomes for evaluating gords’ tourism potential. However, modifications to the scoring system are recommended to enhance methodological precision. Regarding analysis of the 25 surveyed hillforts, the results indicate that objects from all zones mainly demonstrate high tourism potential, suggesting an opportunity for transformation into tourist attractions. The integration of hillforts into existing tourism infrastructure could significantly contribute to localised sustainable development across the region. The primary significance of these heritage resources lies in their capacity to facilitate the diversification of tourism offerings across distinct areas of the voivodeship. This development holds particular strategic value for northern poviats currently peripherally engaged in tourism economy. Moreover, by leveraging hillforts, communities obtain assets important in the process of building a common identity around cultural/historical place while safeguarding monuments. Concurrently, the most attractive southern poviats will benefit from the new attractions as they can help in mitigating overtourism pressures at overcrowded places, being an interesting alternative to the top attractions. This approach aligns with strategies to disperse tourist flows through specialised archaeological tourism products, thereby balancing economic benefits and local communities’ well-being with heritage preservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Regional Tourism)

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16 pages, 3784 KB

Open AccessArticle

Do Different Queue Formations Influence the Overestimation of Tourism Carrying Capacity?

by Shouhao Zhang and An Chen

Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11047; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411047 - 17 Dec 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1879

Abstract

Tourism carrying capacity in scenic areas refers to the maximum number of visitors a site can accommodate while maintaining safety and ensuring a satisfactory visitor experience. Effective management of carrying capacity is crucial for ecological preservation, operational efficiency, and visitor safety. This study focuses on the Maiji Mountain Grottoes in China, employing both simulation and field experiments to examine how varying walking speeds and queue formations affect the site’s carrying capacity. Simulation results reveal that, compared to lateral queue formations, linear queue formations exert a more pronounced negative impact on carrying capacity, with an impact coefficient of 0.56. Field observations further demonstrate that carrying capacity is closely tied to visitor activity patterns. This study introduces more innovative ideas: one is the strategy of zoning analysis within the same scenic spot, and the other is a more careful consideration of tourist queue formation. The findings provide valuable methodological insights for future research on tourism carrying capacity and for developing strategies to enhance tourist management in scenic areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Regional Tourism)

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19 pages, 4658 KB

Open AccessArticle

New Approach to Identifying Barriers and Potentials in Peripheral and Less-Known Areas Using a Multi-Criteria Analytical Matrix

by Justyna Gorgoń, Joanna Piasecka, Magdalena Głogowska, Jacek Długosz, Katarzyna Sitko, Jacek Krzyżak, Paulina Janota, Pedro Martín-Lerones and Francisco Barrientos

Sustainability 2024, 16(21), 9386; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219386 - 29 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1666

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to present the author’s methodology for identifying and assessing potentials and barriers occurring in various locations related to cultural tourism. The research aimed to develop a methodology to identify barriers and potentials for tourism development in peripheral and less-known locations. The potentials and barriers identified in a given location are important determinants of the development of cultural tourism and therefore economic development in the mentioned area. The identification of development potentials and barriers refers to the existing features of a given area or place and factors that activate or limit the possibilities of its using cultural resources. The study was based on the analysis of eight case studies of destinations with interesting cultural values. The entire series of analyses addressed various aspects of these destinations. Areas of different sizes and scales were considered, including areas in transboundary regions, rural areas, historic city centres, and archaeological or industrial sites. The work presents the author’s methodology for integrating the various elements that define the features and factors of cultural tourism and establishes a framework for a strategy for its sustainable development. To achieve this, a tool in the form of a comprehensive matrix was developed to assess the situation of each pilot site. Based on this tool, the pilot sites identified key features or factors as a barrier or potential and furthermore defined their territorial scope and their impact on their chosen dominant types of tourism. Barriers and potentials were identified based on a set of 47 previously developed features and factors. During the research, 38 most important potentials and 15 barriers were identified. The tool presented in the paper is comprehensive and universal, so it can be applied to any destination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Regional Tourism)

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21 pages, 2281 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Non-Coordinated Coupling Relationship between Leisure Tourism and the Ecological Environment: A Case Study of the Ili Region in Xinjiang

by Jingjing Li, Bin Wen and Rumei Qiu

Sustainability 2024, 16(19), 8302; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198302 - 24 Sep 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1704

Abstract

There is a complex relationship between leisure tourism and the ecological environment that is both interdependent and constrained. It is of great practical importance to reveal their incongruous coupling to promote ecological security and harmonious social development. Utilizing a framework model of a non-coordinated coupling driving mechanism, we have established a comprehensive evaluation index system, encompassing the three dimensions of leisure tourism resource quality, infrastructure, and economic benefits, as well as three dimensions related to ecological environment pressure, protection investment, and efficiency. We calculated the weights of each evaluation index using the coefficient of variation method and employed a non-coordinated coupling function to analyze the coupling relationship and evolution of leisure tourism and the ecological environment in the Ili region of Xinjiang. The results suggest the following: ① The level of leisure and tourism in the Ili Prefecture has exhibited fluctuations and steady growth, increasing from 0.0032 in 2001 to 0.9033 in 2022. Similarly, the ecological environment has also improved, from 0.2372 in 2001 to 0.7755 in 2022, except for a slight decrease in 2008, showing an upward trend throughout all other years. ② The coupling coordination type has undergone three significant stages of transformation: from 2001 to 2002, the degree of non-coordinated coupling decreased from 0.8825 to 0.8229, marking a high-level non-coordinated coupling phase; from 2003 to 2016, the degree of non-coordinated coupling further decreased from 0.7951 to 0.5098, entering a rectification phase; and from 2017 to 2022, the degree of non-coordinated coupling dropped from 0.4882 to 0.3531, moving into an antagonistic phase, with the relationship gradually evolving towards positive interaction. By analyzing the non-coordinated coupling and internal mechanisms between leisure tourism and the ecological environment in the Ili region, this study provides a scientific reference for promoting the sustainable and healthy development of leisure tourism and the ecological environment in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Regional Tourism)

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19 pages, 1246 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Democratising Blue Tourism Governance: A Systematic Review of Institutional Capacity, Platform Power, and Social Legitimacy

by Emeka Austin Ndaguba and Cina Van Zyl

Sustainability 2026, 18(5), 2598; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18052598 - 6 Mar 2026

Viewed by 439

Abstract

Blue tourism has become a central pillar of blue economy strategies, yet the governance foundations required to support this expansion remain weakly theorised in tourism management research. This study reframes blue tourism as a governance regime shaped by institutional capacity, platform power, and social legitimacy. Drawing on a systematic review and critical interpretive synthesis of 562 peer-reviewed journal articles, the paper examines how blue tourism has been conceptualised and managed across the literature. Bibliometric and qualitative analyses reveal a persistent imbalance: while demonstrating strong engagement with environmental management and destination optimisation, the literature marginalises governance capacity, distributive outcomes, and community consent. Furthermore, there is epistemic asymmetry between regions that dominate theoretical influence and those experiencing the most acute coastal tourism pressures. The study advances a governance-centred framework that helps destination managers, DMOs, and regulators anticipate legitimacy risks and align blue tourism development with institutional capacity under intensifying climate and capital pressures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development of Regional Tourism)

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