Search Results (87)

Destinations increasingly shift from promotional branding toward holistic and inclusive identity strategies, where cultural heritage operates as both an anchor of local distinctiveness and a catalyst for creative place-making. This study presents a mixed-methods Triple Bottom Line (TBL) assessment of four Greek cultural heritage institutions, a regional theatre, a municipal gallery, a university-affiliated foundation, and a regional film festival, to examine how governance structures, resource availability, and organisational capacity shape environmental, social, and economic sustainability performance. Through document analysis and semi-structured interviews, the research identifies eleven recurring thematic variables across the TBL dimensions and systematically compares their implementation across distinct governance models. Findings show that social sustainability, particularly accessibility, education, and community engagement, constitutes a structurally universal baseline across all institutions, regardless of governance type or resource level. In contrast, environmental and economic performance diverge sharply according to governance model, building ownership, and access to capital. As cultural institutions function as experiential landmarks within cultural and creative tourism, their inclusive practices enhance community wellbeing while co-producing destination identity as socially responsible and culturally authentic. The study concludes with targeted policy recommendations on reporting standards, capacity building, and structural constraints, offering transferable insights for creative place-making and sustainable destination branding in Greece and other Mediterranean contexts. Full article

In this publication we investigate in depth the design, architecture and implementation of a bio and cultural guiding system with augmented capabilities. Our platform will be able to provide a flexible and user-friendly application for smart mobile devices with Android OS, which will be able to provide to the user the ability to discover nearby places of interest such as museums, archeological sites, religious sites, natural beauty sites, etc. In addition, our application is able to offer users an enhanced, comprehensive and augmented tour experience, based on visual and audio smartphone services, using asynchronous and real-time user–server communication mechanisms, thus eliminating the need for a human tour guide operator in cases of a remote area, guiding service cost or unavailable time slot. The proposed platform integrates visual overlays, audio narration, Geolocation services, and cloud-based data management to enable users to explore cultural, historical, and natural points of interest without the need for a human tour guide. A modular, layered system architecture is developed, combining Firebase Realtime Database, RESTful web services, OpenStreetMap-based navigation, and Android-native components to ensure scalability, flexibility, and real-time responsiveness. UML modeling, including class and sequence diagrams, is employed to formally describe system structure and behavior, while a mathematical data model validates the consistency of the underlying database schema. The implementation demonstrates how AR guiding systems can enhance spatial understanding, accessibility, and user engagement while supporting sustainable tourism practices and efficient destination management. The results indicate that the proposed solution is technically feasible, user-centered, and adaptable to diverse bio-cultural contexts, contributing to the advancement of intelligent, inclusive, and sustainable digital tourism platforms. Full article

Understanding residents’ and tourists’ public space perceptions and satisfaction was essential for the sustainable planning and tourism development of historic towns. However, limited attention has been paid to the different perceptions between the two groups, as well as the nonlinear relationship between public space perception and satisfaction. Taking Fenghuang Ancient Town as the study area, this study used independent sample t-tests to examine the differences between residents and tourists. The XGBoost-SHAP model was further applied to identify key influencing factors and nonlinear interaction mechanisms affecting satisfaction. The results showed that: (1) residents perceived higher public awareness, space openness, and accessibility, whereas tourists reported higher crowd density and business prosperity; (2) color harmony most strongly influenced residents’ satisfaction, while spatial comfort had the strongest influence on tourists’ satisfaction; (3) color harmony and spatial comfort positively affected satisfaction, whereas space openness (residents) and crowd density (tourists) showed U-shaped relationships; and (4) for residents, the strongest interaction was between color harmony and business prosperity (0.015), while for tourists it was between spatial comfort and color harmony (0.038). These findings provided evidence-based guidance for sustainable public space planning and cultural heritage tourism management, contributing to inclusive governance and the long-term sustainability of historic towns. Full article

The paper investigates tourists’ willingness to pay (WTP) an increased tourist tax to support the development of accessible tourism. To achieve the research objective, a structured survey was conducted among 452 tourists who spent their holidays in the Ukrainian Carpathians. It has been confirmed that the WTP a higher tourist tax that varies significantly depending on the possible direction of its use. It has been established that in the context of a humanitarian crisis, social inclusion is a more powerful factor of tax loyalty than a traditional environmental programme. A statistically significant relationship was found between WTP an increased tourist tax for the development of accessible tourism and several factors, including respondents’ level of education, income level, frequency of tourist trips over the past five years, current trip expenditure, and perceived accessibility of infrastructure. Consumers’ willingness to voluntarily pay a tourist tax for a specific purpose may suggest that higher tax rates would be publicly acceptable, potentially generating financial resources to support the development of accessible tourism. Full article

Aquatic recreation significantly enhances well-being; however, individuals experiencing functional limitations remain frequently marginalized from this form of tourism due to infrastructural and environmental barriers. This study investigates the perceived operational risks and apprehensions encountered by users with specific accessibility needs during yacht sailing, aiming to inform inclusive vessel design aligned with the social dimension of sustainable development. A survey of 277 participants with diverse, officially certified functional limitations was conducted to evaluate their maritime experiences and safety concerns. Participants identified a mean of 11 pre-voyage apprehensions out of 19 distinct risk categories. The most prevalent concerns included stumbling, slipping, or falling on board (79%), the risk of falling overboard (73%), and seasickness (70%), with an overall moderate severity ($\overline{X}$ = 2.2 on a 4-point scale). Crucially, severe safety concerns (e.g., vessel sinking or falling overboard) were significantly mitigated following practical sailing experience. Conversely, everyday functional and ergonomic challenges—such as moving between the deck and crew quarters ($\overline{X}$ = 2.6), operating rigging ($\overline{X}$ = 2.7), embarkation ($\overline{X}$ = 2.6), and utilizing sanitary facilities ($\overline{X}$ = 2.1)—persisted irrespective of experience level. Statistical analysis revealed that gender and age had negligible effects on concern levels. Extensive maritime experience reduced apprehensions regarding balance and swimming competencies, while concurrently increasing awareness of communication and comfort-related operational challenges. This study highlights a distinct divergence between initial psychological anxiety—which is largely mitigated by experience—and persistent architectural barriers inherent in standard yacht design. The results underscore that achieving meaningful inclusivity in water tourism requires prioritizing interior spatial layouts, accessible sanitary facilities, and barrier-free vertical circulation in naval architecture, rather than focusing exclusively on emergency safety systems. These insights directly support the advancement of Sustainable Development Goal 10 and the integration of universal and human-centered design principles within the maritime recreation sector. Full article

The development of sustainable tourism requires the use of planning methods that combine environmental protection with inclusive access to nature-based destinations. This article presents a macro-level spatial decision-support framework for planning service infrastructure for specialized off-road electric wheelchairs in mountain destinations. The proposed framework combines predefined static vehicle-related constraints, Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis using QGIS and OpenStreetMap data, and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). The spatial filtering stage evaluates terrain feasibility using an adopted maximum longitudinal slope threshold and minimum path-width requirement. The location–allocation stage combines Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) with a spatial-dispersion procedure to identify service hubs that are both suitable and regionally distributed. The method is not a dynamic engineering model of vehicle performance, but a GIS-MCDA planning tool for preliminary regional infrastructure siting under predefined operational constraints. Full article

Ensuring accessibility in alpine ski areas remains a critical challenge for social sustainability and inclusive tourism because physical, seasonal and organisational constraints interact across the visitor experience. This paper reframes accessibility as a dynamic and relational landscape attribute and proposes a flow-chain framework for assessing accessibility as a sequence of interdependent phases, from pre-trip information to arrival, lift access, slope use, rest and return. Developed within the Ski-Ability project in the ArgeAlp working community, the study draws on exploratory field observations, stakeholder engagement and co-design activities conducted across seven Alpine pilot resorts. The pilot resorts are not treated as a statistically representative sample, but as field cases used to understand current operational conditions in a context where academic literature, technical standards and regulatory guidance specific to accessible ski areas remain limited. The framework is operationalised through a qualitative toolkit based on Basic, Comfort and Plus levels, priority categories and non-compensatory decision rules. The results provide methodological validation and practical guidance rather than quantitative benchmarking. They show that accessibility in alpine ski areas depends on the continuity of routes, services, information and assistance, and on coordination among multiple actors. The paper contributes to social sustainability research by linking Universal Design, accessible tourism and mountain governance within a transferable, process-oriented assessment model. Full article

Under the dual pressures of heritage conservation and tourism growth, improving inclusive access to cultural tourism opportunities in historic urban areas has become an urgent planning issue under Sustainable Development Goal 11 and the Historic Urban Landscape approach. Taking the central urban area of Suzhou, China, as a case study, this study evaluates time-budgeted walkable accessibility, spatial equity, local mismatch, and accessibility-generating conditions from a 15 min city perspective. An integrated analytical framework was developed by combining kernel density analysis, GIS-based network accessibility modelling, Lorenz–Gini equity assessment, bivariate Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA), and XGBoost–SHAP interpretation. The results show that cultural tourism opportunities exhibit a clear core polarisation–peripheral attenuation pattern. Within the 15 min threshold, Gusu District records SACR and AAR values of 80.18% and 95.23%, respectively, indicating a pronounced historic-core accessibility advantage. Accommodation-tier differences do not form a simple monotonic relationship with accessibility, but are shaped by the spatial embedding of different accommodation-market segments within the cultural tourism opportunity field. HL units, namely high-tier accommodation near low accessibility, emerge as priority diagnostic areas of local mismatch, while delayed accessibility beyond 30 min becomes particularly evident among elderly visitors. The SHAP interpretation further indicates that leisure-strolling attractions show a more balanced supply–accommodation structure, whereas commercial–cultural mixed and heritage-core attractions are more strongly supply-led. By linking accessibility measurement, equity assessment, local mismatch diagnosis, and mechanism-based explanation, this study provides an operational basis for zonal and typology-oriented optimisation of cultural tourism accessibility in historic urban areas. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has renewed interest in proximity tourism as a driver for culturally sustainable local development. Against this backdrop, this study examines the Province of Latina, Italy, evaluating the potential of proximity tourism flows originating from the Metropolitan City of Rome to reduce the socioeconomic and infrastructural disparities that affect the provincial territory. Using a multi-stage quantitative framework, the research identifies key determinants of municipal attractiveness and assesses the structural relationships between tourism activities, economic development, and demographic trends. Results reveal a clear spatial polarization: while coastal municipalities successfully leverage natural and cultural assets for development, they increasingly face challenges related to overtourism and gentrification. Conversely, marginalized hilly and mountainous peripheries remain underdeveloped despite their high heritage value. Empirical evidence suggests that while proximity tourism does not directly drive demographic growth, it acts indirectly as a catalyst by stimulating economic development. The study concludes that proximity tourism can foster territorial cohesion and socioeconomic resilience only when coupled within integrated strategies that improve accessibility, valorize peripheral assets, and keep the added value of tourism embedded within host communities. These findings offer actionable insights for policymakers aiming to transition toward more inclusive and culturally sustainable tourism models in the post-pandemic era. Full article

Adaptive reuse of industrial heritage from a tourism perspective presents a complex design challenge requiring a balance between heritage preservation, functional innovation, and diverse stakeholder expectations. However, current practices often face issues such as ambiguous demand interpretation and a disconnect between design generation and systematic evaluation. Addressing these limitations, this paper proposes and illustrates a human–machine collaborative design paradigm that integrates generative AI into a closed-loop process of “demand analysis–intelligent generation–comprehensive evaluation.” The method first employs Kansei Engineering and the KANO model to qualitatively extract and quantitatively prioritise heterogeneous user needs, translating subjective perceptions into structured design constraints and optimisation objectives. Next, these needs are encoded as text prompts to drive targeted spatial exploration by the generative AI tool Nano Banana AI. Finally, the TOPSIS method is applied for multi-criteria performance evaluation and solution selection. A case study of Shanghai Libo Brewery suggests that this paradigm can enhance design efficiency and show potential to outperform traditional methods across dimensions such as historical preservation, public accessibility, ecological integration, social inclusivity, and formal innovation. The research offers a quantifiable and systematically documented intelligent design methodology for industrial heritage renewal, while acknowledging the exploratory nature of the generative phase. Furthermore, it provides a visitor-demand-driven innovation pathway for developing industrial heritage tourism destinations, thereby potentially enhancing cultural experiences and tourism appeal at heritage sites. This research illustrates a move from an experience-driven paradigm toward a data- and value-driven approach, contributing theoretical methodologies to the intersection of cultural tourism and artificial intelligence. Full article

This study examines accessibility barriers experienced by individuals with disabilities in urban public transportation and analyzes how these barriers influence their travel behavior. Survey data were collected from 450 participants with different disability types in Alanya, Turkey, a tourism-oriented city characterized by pronounced seasonal mobility fluctuations. To ensure internal consistency and analytical robustness, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to prioritize seven accessibility criteria, and the consistency of pairwise comparisons was verified prior to analysis. Based on the AHP-derived weights, a composite accessibility-based Problem Severity Index (PSI) was constructed and integrated into regression models to quantify behavioral effects. The results show that the Problem Severity Index (PSI) is strongly associated with satisfaction (R² = 0.895), frequency of public transport use (R² = 0.924), and perceived travel difficulty (R² = 0.924), reflecting constrained mobility conditions and limited modal alternatives rather than improved service quality. Deficiencies in bus stop design and vehicle accessibility equipment were identified as the most influential barriers affecting public transport experience. Beyond the case study context, the proposed AHP–regression framework provides a structured analytical approach for evaluating accessibility performance and generating empirical evidence to inform inclusive and sustainable urban mobility planning. The findings offer empirical evidence on the relative importance of accessibility barriers and highlight critical infrastructure and service deficiencies. Rather than constituting a decision-support tool themselves, these results provide structured information that, when appropriately contextualized, can inform and guide transport authorities and urban planners in prioritizing accessibility improvements and enhancing inclusive public transport performance over time. Full article

The development of Smart Tourism often overlooks the “Wilderness Last Mile”, leading to the spatial exclusion of people with disabilities in mountain areas. This problem exists because standard tourist maps and urban-centric accessibility models rely on averaged terrain data, failing to identify critical micro-scale barriers (e.g., short, sudden steep ascents) that pose severe safety and traction risks for off-road wheelchair users. To address this gap, this article presents a novel GIS methodology for planning accessible off-road tourism for electric Specialized Off-Road Wheelchairs. The proposed four-stage analytical model includes (1) graph-based trail network topologization to enable precise routing; (2) traction safety verification utilizing high-resolution (1 × 1 m) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) micro-segmentation to detect hidden slope barriers; (3) multi-criteria evaluation combining a user-calibrated Difficulty Index (EDI) and a Tourism Quality Index (TQI); and (4) a hub optimization algorithm that prioritizes locations maximizing the diversity of accessible routes. The method was empirically tested in a case study of the Bieszczady Mountains (Poland), calibrating the model with the technical limits (25% max slope) of a prototype wheelchair. The experimental results clearly validate the model’s superiority over traditional approaches: the micro-segmentation successfully identified hidden terrain traps, disqualifying 55% of the standard trail network that would have otherwise been deemed safe by average-slope assessments. Furthermore, the model identified a contiguous safe network of 153 km and pinpointed the optimal rental hub location, ensuring the highest inclusivity and route variety. Ultimately, this approach transforms raw spatial data into safe, ready-made tourism products, providing a precise tool with which to implement Universal Design in natural environments. Full article

Religious tourism is an evolving form of cultural and spiritual mobility that connects faith, community identity, and sustainable destination development. Despite its growing significance, few studies have examined service quality in pilgrimage contexts using the 4A framework (attraction, accessibility, amenities, and ancillary services), particularly in developing regions. This qualitative study explores how the 4A dimensions shape service experiences and sustainability practices in religious tourism across three Catholic pilgrimage sites in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia: Goa Maria Golo Koe, Goa Maria Golo Kaca, and Goa Maria Rekas. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews conducted with ecclesiastical leaders, including a diocesan priest and the Archbishop; key informant interviews with government and tourism actors; focus group discussions with local communities; and non-participatory field observations. The findings show that spiritual attraction remains the primary driver of pilgrim motivation, reinforced by local traditions and collective devotion. However, accessibility, amenities, and ancillary services are constrained by inadequate infrastructure, fragmented governance, and limited service standards. Despite these challenges, community voluntarism and the Church’s moral leadership help preserve the sanctity and authenticity of visitor experiences. This study introduces a Sacred Service Framework that integrates faith-based ethics with the 4A model to support sustainable, inclusive, and spiritually grounded religious tourism management. Full article

Community-based tourism (CBT) is widely promoted as a route to inclusive growth and conservation in emerging economies, yet outcomes vary because the communities’ ability to create, scale, and sustain CBT enterprises depends on the surrounding entrepreneurial ecosystem. Building on entrepreneurial ecosystem theory and grand challenges scholarship, this article reframes CBT as a place-based entrepreneurial ecosystem that mobilizes local and external actors, resources, and institutions to advance the United Nations 2030 Agenda. The purpose of the study is to develop and illustrate an SDG-oriented CBT entrepreneurial ecosystem framework and identify the ecosystem mechanisms and boundary conditions associated with SDG contributions. Using a qualitative multiple-case design and structured document analysis of 42 public artifacts (peer-reviewed studies, program evaluations, organizational reports, and organizational webpages), three initiatives were examined: Namibia’s communal conservancies, Chi Phat community-based ecotourism in Cambodia, and Bolivia’s Chalalán Ecolodge. Cross-case synthesis showed that progress on SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)—with complementary contributions to SDGs 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, and 17—emerges when ecosystems combine: (i) enforceable community rights and benefit-sharing rules; (ii) bridging organizations that provide training, finance, market access, and quality assurance; (iii) accountable local governance for transparency and conflict resolution; and (iv) reinvestment mechanisms that fund conservation and community services. The analysis also identified boundary conditions (e.g., elite capture, value leakage, donor dependence, uneven tourism potential, and demand shocks) and specific policy levers (tenure security, adaptive concession policies, blended finance, and impact monitoring) to strengthen CBT ecosystems for SDG delivery. Full article

Citizen science is seen as a valuable tool for improving sustainable tourism governance. This is especially true in environmentally sensitive and socially complex areas that need inclusive knowledge. This research examines how citizen science can capture the views of local stakeholders regarding tourism impacts. It aims to create a community-based evidence base that supports better decision-making. The study takes place in a rapidly transitioning coastal tourism community in northwestern Mexico. Perceptions were collected using a basic participatory model from 150 actors, including local residents, school representatives, business community members, civil society organizations, and public agencies. The survey covered economic, social, and environmental dimensions, providing broad insights into how residents experience tourism expansion. Results indicate that tourism is widely perceived as an important economic driver: over 80% of respondents associate tourism with job creation and regional economic growth, and 100% recognize its role in supporting local crafts and production. At the same time, 84% of participants report rising living costs, and approximately 70% perceive restricted access to public spaces linked to tourism development. Environmental concerns are even more pronounced, with 87% of respondents associating tourism expansion with declining water and air quality, and 77% noting increased pressure on energy and water resources during peak seasons. The findings emphasize growing dissonance between national narratives on sustainability and the lived realities of communities. Stakeholders view tourism as a major driver of the local economy, crafts, and job creation. However, respondents also report rising living costs, displacement pressures, and restricted access to public spaces. Environmental concerns are even more apparent: respondents link tourism to declining air and water quality, habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, waste generation, and resource competition. The study suggests that even simple forms of citizen science can provide early, community-driven signals of social and environmental risks, offering valuable insights into more flexible and inclusive tourism governance in coastal areas. Full article