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Tourism and Hospitality
Special Issues
Rethinking Destination Planning Through Sustainable Local Development
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Rethinking Destination Planning Through Sustainable Local Development

A special issue of Tourism and Hospitality (ISSN 2673-5768).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 7180

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Efthymia Sarantakou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Tourism Management, University of West Attica, Egaleo, Greece
Interests: destination planning; spatial tourism development; tourism planning; sustainable tourism; land use planning; urban destinations
Dr. Alkmini Gkritzali

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Tourism, Ionian University, Corfu, Greece
Interests: destination marketing and branding; online and offline storytelling; value co-creation in tourism; popular culture tourism; sustainability marketing in tourism
Dr. Sotirios Varelas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Tourism Studies, University of Piraeus, Piraeus, Greece
Interests: tourism development; tourism strategy; strategic management for tourism

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Tourism destination planning began in the mid-20th century with a focus on infrastructure improvement, business development, and marketing. However, since the mid-2010s, the role of destination planning has evolved to encompass a wide range of issues including environmental sustainability, innovation, culture, and social equity. In addition, the climate crisis and building resilience for destinations have become critical components of effective tourism planning.

One of the most significant theoretical implications of this evolution is the shift towards a more integrated approach to tourism planning. This suggests that existing theories that have historically considered tourism planning in isolation need to be re-evaluated and possibly expanded. There is now a clear need to consider tourism planning within the broader context of sustainability and local development. This will enrich the interdisciplinary nature of the field. Furthermore, tailored approaches to different types of destinations are needed to make tourism planning flexible and adaptable to the unique challenges and opportunities of each destination. For policymakers, these findings suggest that it is time to reassess the role of tourism in local planning; the multifaceted nature of tourism planning needs to be recognized, and climate-resilient measures should be included as a standard part of tourism policy. Equally important is the recognition that cohesive and integrated local policies require a redesign of local tourism governance structures.

In conclusion, this Special Issue aims to enrich the interdisciplinary dialogue on the contemporary challenges facing destination planning and to stimulate a variety of contributions that highlight the multifaceted nature of modern tourism planning. This is an indicative rather than an exhaustive list of topics:

  • Integrating tourism planning into social justice strategies;
  • Integrating tourism planning into strategies for resilient destinations;
  • Integrating smart tourism into sustainable local development;
  • Tourism as a development option in a degraded or declining area;
  • Crisis and emergency management in a destination;
  • Planning for sustainable and environmentally friendly destinations;
  • Planning for accessible destinations;
  • Planning for social sustainability in small destinations;
  • Destination planning through alternative forms of tourism;
  • Planning for ethical/responsible tourism;
  • The future of destinations;
  • Interdisciplinary approaches to destination planning;
  • Current challenges for destination management organizations;
  • Tourism governance at the local level;
  • Spatial planning for destinations;
  • Cultural planning for destinations;
  • Cultural heritage integration in destination planning;
  • Destination branding and social sustainability;
  • Sustainable destination marketing.

Dr. Efthymia Sarantakou
Dr. Alkmini Gkritzali
Dr. Sotirios Varelas
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. Tourism and Hospitality is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1200 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

  • destination planning
  • local development
  • integrating tourism planning
  • resilient destinations
  • sustainable tourism development
  • sustainable destination marketing
  • social sustainability

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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20 pages, 953 KiB  
Article
Risk and Resilience in Tourism: How Political Instability and Social Conditions Influence Destination Choices
by Panagiotis Grigoriadis, Asimenia Salepaki, Ioannis Angelou and Dimitris Kourkouridis
Tour. Hosp. 2025, 6(2), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp6020083 - 14 May 2025
Viewed by 424
Abstract
In an era of increasing global uncertainty, tourism destinations face significant challenges due to political instability and social unrest, which shape travelers’ perceptions and decision making. This study examines the relationship between perceived risk, resilience, and destination choice, focusing on the extent to [...] Read more.
In an era of increasing global uncertainty, tourism destinations face significant challenges due to political instability and social unrest, which shape travelers’ perceptions and decision making. This study examines the relationship between perceived risk, resilience, and destination choice, focusing on the extent to which political and social conditions influence travel intentions. Using the social amplification of risk framework (SARF) and a quantitative survey, this research identifies key determinants of tourism resilience and risk perception management. Our findings indicate that political instability, safety concerns, and negative media coverage deter travelers, while effective crisis communication, strong governance, and high-quality public services can enhance a destination’s appeal. Based on these findings, the study recommends that destination marketers and tourism policymakers invest in targeted safety communication, service quality improvements, and strategies that address the specific concerns of more risk-sensitive demographics, such as women. The study offers strategic insights for destination marketers, tourism policymakers, and hospitality stakeholders on how to mitigate perceived risks and foster resilience in tourism-dependent economies. Future research could explore cross-cultural traveler behavior and incorporate perspectives from tourism professionals to further inform resilience strategies. By addressing these challenges, destinations can develop sustainable strategies to navigate crises and maintain competitiveness in an unpredictable global landscape. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Destination Planning Through Sustainable Local Development)
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16 pages, 2674 KiB  
Article
An Ex Ante Approach to the Resilience and Recovery Plan’s Impacts on Sustainable Tourism in Algarve and Alentejo
by Bernardo Valente and Erika Džajić Uršič
Tour. Hosp. 2025, 6(1), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp6010038 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 628
Abstract
The European Union has been trying to adjust its tourism policy in response to the challenges posed by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The funding of the EU Cohesion Policy has been one of the primary mechanisms guaranteeing that all regions can be prepared [...] Read more.
The European Union has been trying to adjust its tourism policy in response to the challenges posed by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The funding of the EU Cohesion Policy has been one of the primary mechanisms guaranteeing that all regions can be prepared to receive tourists and cope with the sustainability challenges the pandemic has raised. The recovery and resilience plan (PRR) is the most recent instrument created to help economic growth in most European Union countries. The implementation of the PRR in Algarve and Alentejo has been fundamental to understanding the Portuguese tourism sector, as these regions are heavily dependent on tourism sector revenue and were hit hard by the consecutive lockdowns in recent years. Therefore, this policy, in brief, critically assesses the tourism-related projects that received funding from the PRR until November 2023 (ex ante) and their potential to guarantee long-term tourism sustainability in Algarve and Alentejo. Despite not achieving the expected efficiency results due to delays in project execution and low investment, the PRR is still a positive upgrade for tourism-related policy in Algarve and Alentejo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Destination Planning Through Sustainable Local Development)
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16 pages, 694 KiB  
Article
Bridging Neuromarketing and Data Analytics in Tourism: An Adaptive Digital Marketing Framework for Hotels and Destinations
by Thomas Krabokoukis
Tour. Hosp. 2025, 6(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp6010012 - 19 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2608
Abstract
This study proposes the Tourism Adaptable Digital Marketing Framework (TADMF), a flexible, cyclical model tailored to optimize digital marketing strategies for hotels and destinations. By leveraging data-driven insights and neuromarketing principles, the framework addresses critical gaps in traditional linear models to maximize bookings [...] Read more.
This study proposes the Tourism Adaptable Digital Marketing Framework (TADMF), a flexible, cyclical model tailored to optimize digital marketing strategies for hotels and destinations. By leveraging data-driven insights and neuromarketing principles, the framework addresses critical gaps in traditional linear models to maximize bookings for hotels and enhance awareness of destinations. The three-stage cyclical process, attraction, engagement, and conversion, ensures continuous feedback and refinement across the customer journey. Hotels benefit from tailored techniques, such as dynamic pricing and personalized recommendations, while destinations focus on storytelling and user-generated content to forge emotional connections. Compared to traditional marketing models, this framework uniquely integrates online and offline interactions to create cohesive customer experiences. Key findings reveal that the TADMF fosters a dynamic interplay between theoretical innovation and practical applicability, demonstrating scalability and adaptability to diverse tourism contexts. The study concludes that the TADMF offers a robust foundation for addressing the evolving challenges of digital marketing in tourism, paving the way for future research into advanced technologies such as AR, VR, and AI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Destination Planning Through Sustainable Local Development)
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17 pages, 575 KiB  
Article
Spatial Planning for Tourism Destinations Resilient to Climate Change
by Marilena Papageorgiou
Tour. Hosp. 2025, 6(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp6010008 - 10 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1773
Abstract
Tourism and climate change have a two-way relation. Spatial planning can challenge this correlation, by making tourism destinations more resilient to climate change and tourism contributing less to the climate change acceleration. Based on literature review and theoretical research, this paper unravels the [...] Read more.
Tourism and climate change have a two-way relation. Spatial planning can challenge this correlation, by making tourism destinations more resilient to climate change and tourism contributing less to the climate change acceleration. Based on literature review and theoretical research, this paper unravels the spatial structure of tourism destinations and presents systematically the way tourism affects—and is affected by—climate change. The objective of this paper is to articulate policy and planning recommendations and guidelines to address resilience against climate change at all destination scales. The paper identifies as most threatened the destinations facing extreme weather events, temperature fluctuations, and sea level rise (and more precisely the coastal and mountainous destinations), followed by areas facing water shortage and droughts, areas with fragile tourism resources (natural and cultural), and those experiencing overtourism. In regard to spatial planning for tourism (cross-cutting or sectoral), the paper argues that it has a proactive nature (making tourism destinations less vulnerable to climate change) but also can contribute to the earlier recovery of them after a disaster/damage has occurred. Spatial planning is also important for moderating the uncontrolled tourism growth responsible for climate change acceleration. A key conclusion is that a risk assessment and analysis should be an integral part of spatial tourism planning, focusing on the hazards and threats related to climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Destination Planning Through Sustainable Local Development)
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32 pages, 1398 KiB  
Systematic Review
Metaverse Tourism: An Overview of Early Adopters’ Drivers and Anticipated Value for End-Users
by Alexios-Patapios Kontis and Stelios A. K. Ioannidis
Tour. Hosp. 2025, 6(2), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp6020086 - 15 May 2025
Viewed by 253
Abstract
The current study aims to explore the early adoption of the metaverse in the hospitality and tourism industry, with a particular focus on understanding adoption drivers for tourism providers and the anticipated benefits for end-users. Addressing the need for practical insights in a [...] Read more.
The current study aims to explore the early adoption of the metaverse in the hospitality and tourism industry, with a particular focus on understanding adoption drivers for tourism providers and the anticipated benefits for end-users. Addressing the need for practical insights in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the review identifies 33 real-world early cases of metaverse and non-fungible token (NFT) adoption, spanning from the first metaverse hotel in 2006 to ongoing digital twins of tourism destinations up to 2023. This study follows the PRISMA technique and examines early metaverse adopters at both the enterprise and destination levels, categorizing them into metaverse-based, NFT-based, and complementary-to-tourism cases. The analysis applies two theoretical frameworks: the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to examine adoption drivers and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to assess expected end-user benefits. Key findings highlight promotion, brand engagement, new revenue streams, and community building as primary motivations for adoption, while user benefits include enhanced entertainment, social interaction, improved decision-making, and immersive experiences. By bridging theory and practice, this study contributes both actionable guidance for tourism stakeholders and a theoretical foundation for future research on digital transformation in tourism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rethinking Destination Planning Through Sustainable Local Development)
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