Sustainable Consumption and Tourism Market Management: 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

The fast development of global tourism and its complex impact on the environment and society have generated an increasing interest in the sustainable dimension of tourism among both researchers and policymakers. During the last three decades, an increasing number of studies have approached the topics of sustainable tourism development, planning, and management, or sustainable tourism consumption. The United Nations has included sustainable tourism management and consumption in its global development goals and policy (UNEP, 2015). However, existing studies have highlighted some major challenges related to these topics, such as the difficulty of linking theory to practice in the implementation of sustainable tourism projects and visitor practices that balance economic growth and sustainability. Some authors have suggested a de-growth of tourism development and consumption with more sustainable consumerism, whilst others have questioned the concept of sustainable tourism itself. Another solution can be found in alternative forms of tourism (e.g., ecotourism, agro-tourism, volunteer tourism, cycle tourism, etc.), as a growing potential market for more responsible tourism consumption.

To support the development of more sustainable tourism and consumption patterns, both sides of the tourism market need to be addressed, with efficient planning and management of both tourism supply and demand. The existing literature has shown that policy makers and destination managers can influence the tourist supply and visitors’ behaviour and attitudes. This can be achieved by introducing new regulations, technologies, and patterns of production through education or approaches that balance environmental and economic performance, supporting the communities’ involvement in decision-making. On the consumers’ side, there is an increasing demand for greener forms of tourism, as the number of responsible tourists, who are more aware of their impact on the environment and society, is increasing. Tourist consumption has been analysed from the perspective of tourists, firms, and government regulations, but only a few studies have approached the sustainable dimension of this subject.

In the context of the present tourism market, there is a need for more theoretical and practical approaches and new ways of analysing, designing, and implementing sustainable tourism consumption and management patterns at both local and wider spatial levels (regional, national, or transnational). Changes in consumption and management patterns need to happen at a societal level, and tourism is a part of this global change. Therefore, a better understanding of the sustainable consumer market is important to advance the implementation of sustainable practice models in tourism.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight new approaches to the topic of sustainable tourism consumption and management, as well as the planning and implementation of sustainable visitor behaviour. We invite theoretical, methodological, and empirical studies from various areas concerned with the topic of sustainable tourism management, from research, policy, and practice fields. Multidisciplinary approaches to the analysis, implementation, and management of new, sustainable tourism consumption patterns are welcome, especially those relevant for implementation at larger levels (regional, national, and transnational).

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

Sustainable tourism products and experiences—analysis, design and implementation;

• Alternative tourism and sustainable visitor practices;
• Responsible tourism behaviour and discourses;
• Assessment of sustainable tourist consumption;
• Promoting sustainable tourism behaviour and products;
• Managing tourism consumption in sustainable destinations;
• Conceptual models for measuring and implementing sustainable tourism practices;
• Case studies of sustainable tourism consumption and management;
• New technologies that support sustainable tourism consumption and management;
• Spatial planning and management of sustainable tourism development;
• Sustainable destinations;
• Sustainable tourism narratives and consumption patterns.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Oana Mihaela Stoleriu
Dr. Alexandra Cehan
Guest Editors

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