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BRICS+: Sustainable Development of Air Transport and Tourism

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Transportation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 September 2025 | Viewed by 5434

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Production and Transport Engineering Programs, COPPE/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Interests: strategic management; transport; tourism; economic growth; market forecast; causality; global south countries and BRICS+

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Guest Editor
BRICS Research Institute, Faculty of Management Sciences at the Durban University of Technology, South Africa
Interests: public governance; entrepreneurship; philanthropy; higher education policy; social sciences methods

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Air transport and tourism are among the major concerns of emerging economies. Since the end of World War II, civil aviation has had an increasing participation in the development of nations and passenger aircraft, air traffic control, and airports have experienced a tremendous evolution to become very efficient in enabling people to move from one corner of the world to another swiftly and safely. By overcoming geographical barriers and providing accessibility everywhere at affordable travel times and prices, air transport is a boon to the tourism industry, generating a symbiotic effect in which tourism also comes to boost the air transport industry. Such is the importance of these two sectors that several international and national institutions have been created at different levels to outline policies and regulations. Several scientific journals exist that address the question of air transport and tourism. Yet, despite the volumes of research covering these two important sectors, existing studies focus more on the countries of the Global North, which have benefited from the development of these two industries greatly. However, whether directly or indirectly, this has resulted in an unbalanced Global North vs. Global South development.

This Special Issue of Sustainability seeks to contribute to filling the gap in the literature on the development of these two industries in the BRICS+ countries emerging into of a multipolar global context.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome and research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • BRICS+ sustainable air transport and tourism;
  • Sustainable inbound and outbound tourism in emerging countries;
  • Economic causality between air transport and tourism in emerging countries;
  • Air transport and tourism market forecasts in emerging countries;
  • Bottlenecks for air transport and tourism in emerging countries;
  • Digital media, tourism, and air transport in emerging countries;
  • Middle class growth—a new market for tourism, and air transport in emerging countries;
  • BRICS+ sustainable tourism and air transport case studies;
  • Competition between the tourism and air transport of emerging countries and traditional Global North tourist destinations;
  • How people choose tourist destinations in emerging countries;
  • Direct connectivity between air transport and tourism in BRICS+ countries;
  • Air transport and tourism infrastructure in emerging countries.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Fernandes Elton
Prof. Dr. Fulufhelo Netswera
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

  • air transport
  • BRICS+ and Global South
  • case study
  • Global North tourism
  • emerging countries
  • economic causality between air transport and tourism
  • inbound and outbound tourism
  • geopolitical bottlenecks
  • middle class growth
  • tourism market forecast

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 1682 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Direct Air Transport Connectivity to Boost Sustainable Tourism in BRICS+ Nations
by Zamaswazi Pretty Cele and Xiaolong Zou
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3246; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073246 - 5 Apr 2025
Viewed by 633
Abstract
Tourism is a critical driver of economic growth, particularly in BRICS+ nations, where it contributes significantly to GDP and fosters multilateral cooperation. However, challenges such as limited direct air connectivity, regulatory barriers, and financial constraints hinder seamless travel experiences and impact tourism and [...] Read more.
Tourism is a critical driver of economic growth, particularly in BRICS+ nations, where it contributes significantly to GDP and fosters multilateral cooperation. However, challenges such as limited direct air connectivity, regulatory barriers, and financial constraints hinder seamless travel experiences and impact tourism and trade. This study investigates the potential of direct air transport links among BRICS+ nations to alleviate these challenges, focusing on economic benefits, policy recommendations, and sustainability implications. Using a mixed-methods approach, including policy analysis and economic impact modeling, the findings reveal that enhanced air connectivity could reduce logistical inefficiencies, promote cultural exchange, and drive sustainable economic growth. This study concludes with strategies for implementing direct air routes and collaborative frameworks to advance the sustainable development goals of BRICS+ countries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue BRICS+: Sustainable Development of Air Transport and Tourism)
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26 pages, 519 KiB  
Article
Geopolitical Bottlenecks and Air Transport Connectivity Between China and the UAE: Implications for BRICS+ Cooperation and Sustainable Tourism
by Yueyang Chen and Mohamad Zreik
Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 1930; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17051930 - 24 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1153
Abstract
This paper examines the geopolitical challenges and regulatory barriers affecting direct air transport connectivity between China and the UAE, with a focus on their implications for BRICS+ cooperation and sustainable tourism development. While both countries have established strong aviation ties, factors such as [...] Read more.
This paper examines the geopolitical challenges and regulatory barriers affecting direct air transport connectivity between China and the UAE, with a focus on their implications for BRICS+ cooperation and sustainable tourism development. While both countries have established strong aviation ties, factors such as regional conflicts, airspace restrictions, and diplomatic issues have hindered seamless connectivity. This study utilizes policy analysis and geopolitical risk assessments to identify key bottlenecks in existing agreements and propose strategic recommendations to enhance air transport links. By exploring the intersection of aviation policy, geopolitics, and sustainable tourism, this paper contributes to understanding the broader implications of improving BRICS+ air transport for regional economic integration and the growth of tourism in the Global South. The findings underscore the potential of aviation as a driver for sustainable development in emerging economies, particularly in the context of China–UAE relations within the BRICS+ framework. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue BRICS+: Sustainable Development of Air Transport and Tourism)
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18 pages, 667 KiB  
Article
Environmental, Geographical, and Economic Impacts of Inbound Tourism in China: A Mixed-Effects Gravity Model Approach
by Bo Zhu, Chien-Chih Wang and Che-Yu Hung
Sustainability 2024, 16(15), 6671; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156671 - 4 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2287
Abstract
This study examines the dynamics of inbound tourism in China, utilizing a mixed-effects gravity model to analyze data from urban clusters around China’s three major airports. The research methodology of the study includes applying advanced econometric techniques, such as the Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood [...] Read more.
This study examines the dynamics of inbound tourism in China, utilizing a mixed-effects gravity model to analyze data from urban clusters around China’s three major airports. The research methodology of the study includes applying advanced econometric techniques, such as the Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood estimation, to ensure robust and accurate results. The study focuses on international tourist arrivals and foreign exchange earnings, identifying key drivers such as tourism resources, transportation safety, and service quality. Our findings indicate a 10% increase in per capita GDP correlates with a 0.88% rise in inbound tourist numbers. Additionally, proximity to major urban centers like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou significantly influences tourist arrivals, with every 100 km increase in distance resulting in a 5.56% decrease in tourist numbers. The study also explores the impact of environmental factors on tourism, suggesting that improvements in green coverage and reductions in industrial waste and traffic fatalities could enhance tourist arrivals. Conversely, environmental protection measures can both positively and negatively impact tourism. This research provides a strategic blueprint for policymakers and professionals in tourism and environmental sustainability, emphasizing the importance of integrated environmental sustainability in tourism development strategies. The model accounts for up to 79% of the variability in inbound tourism flows, offering robust evidence that economic and policy dimensions impact tourism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue BRICS+: Sustainable Development of Air Transport and Tourism)
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