Innovation in the Sustainable Tourism and Rural 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 November 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: Tourism
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The Special Issue “Innovation in the Sustainable Tourism and Rural Development” aims to explore the intersection between innovation, sustainability, and regional transformation in tourism economies, with particular emphasis on rural destinations as dynamic laboratories for sustainable change. As global tourism systems adapt to the challenges of climate change, digital transformation, and post-pandemic recovery, rural areas emerge as key arenas for implementing innovative practices that foster inclusive growth and long-term environmental balance.
The focus of this Special Issue is to investigate how innovation (technological, social, environmental, and organizational) can advance sustainable tourism models that balance economic viability, community wellbeing, and ecosystem integrity. We invite empirical and conceptual research addressing innovative forms of entrepreneurship, green business models, smart tourism applications, and circular economy strategies within rural contexts. The purpose is to contribute to the development of a theoretical and practical framework that enhances the sustainability and competitiveness of rural destinations through creativity, collaboration, and adaptive management.
A central dimension of this issue concerns sustainable tourism entrepreneurship, emphasizing how locally rooted enterprises and community initiatives can become key drivers of environmental stewardship and socio-economic regeneration. By integrating innovation into local tourism systems, entrepreneurs and regional actors can co-create value, diversify the rural economy, and reinforce destination identity while preserving cultural and natural assets.
This Special Issue will supplement the existing literature by expanding the discussion of tourism innovation beyond urban and coastal areas, positioning rural development as a vital component of the global sustainability agenda. It bridges the gap between tourism management and regional development studies, demonstrating how policy frameworks, governance mechanisms, and innovation ecosystems can empower rural communities to achieve sustainable transformation.
Ultimately, this issue seeks to advance an integrated understanding of innovation as a catalyst for sustainable tourism and rural resilience, linking local entrepreneurship, green transition, and regional competitiveness within a holistic sustainability paradigm.
Dr. Ioulia Poulaki
Dr. Eleni Gaki
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
- sustainable tourism
- rural development
- tourism innovation
- sustainable entrepreneurship
- regional resilience
- community-based tourism
- circular economy
- destination sustainability
- digital transformation
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