Search Results (57)

In recent years, many locales featuring therapeutic landscapes have seen a rise in health tourism. Existing scholarship tends to either concentrate on specific types of landscape or analyze human emotional experiences separately, often overlooking how therapeutic landscape experiences arise from interactions among human and non-human actors. This study focuses on the relationship between tourists and non-human actors (plants such as rice and lotus leaves, etc.) through immersive interaction. This research is built on critical plant theory and draws on a case study of Xixiang Rural Garden, Erlang Town, China, to examine the co-evolution of therapeutic landscape experience and health tourism and its inherent dynamism. Utilizing qualitative methods, data were collected between October 2024 and September 2025 through participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, and policy document analysis, involving diverse stakeholders, including local government officials, project designers, villagers, and tourists. From a micro-level empirical perspective, the study examines the co-evolution of therapeutic landscape experiences and health tourism and its underlying dynamics. The results show that visitors’ therapeutic experiences deepen through a cyclical process of “therapeutic spatial practices–relational negotiations–experiential transformation.” Key mechanisms driving this process include plant agency, cross-cultural dialogue, and multisensory engagement, which collectively facilitate the transition from initial sensory perceptions to deeper ecological awareness and multispecies relations. Based on micro-level empirical analysis, this study offers concrete policy insights for local governments seeking to promote the sustainable development of therapeutic tourism. In response to practical challenges, specific pathways are proposed: constructing plant-led symbiotic environments, establishing multisensory activity mechanisms, and adopting community-driven management models. These recommendations provide practical guidance for enhancing therapeutic landscape experiences and promoting the sustainable advancement of rural health tourism. Full article

This paper examines the role of institutional logics in shaping heritage-led urban regeneration across fifteen adaptive reuse projects of former tobacco factories in Europe. By categorizing managing authorities into public, private, and community-led actors, the study interprets regeneration outcomes, such as community participation, tourism growth, and crime reduction, through the lens of institutional theory. The analysis reveals that each authority type operates under distinct logics: regulative (public), market-driven (private), and normative (community), which significantly influence the depth and type of impact achieved. Through a comparative framework and empirical indicators, the paper highlights how institutional arrangements affect not only project design but also questions of inclusion, identity, and sustainability. Findings challenge simplistic binaries of top-down versus bottom-up governance and offer a more nuanced understanding of how urban heritage can serve divergent values. The paper concludes with implications for urban policy and future research on hybrid and participatory models of heritage governance. Full article

As an emerging sports tourism event, Guizhou’s “Village Super League” injects new vitality into the optimization of human–land relationships and the development of household livelihoods in traditional villages of ethnic mountainous regions. Studying five affected traditional tourism villages from an “event–actor–capital” perspective using mixed methods, this research finds the following: (1) The composite average score of household livelihood capital is 0.3177, indicating a medium–low level, which suggests that households’ livelihood structure still requires significant enhancement despite the tourism boost from the “Village Super League”. (2) There is an imbalance in development among the villages. The livelihoods of households under the influence of the “Village Super League” exhibit distinct characteristics, being “driven by external flows, led by social capital, supported by the material foundation, and coordinated with other forms of capital.” (3) The evolution of household livelihoods follows a pathway of “event-driven supplementation, endogenous renewal of actors, capital integration and synergy.” By constructing shared event memory markers, the livelihoods of villages at different stages of tourism development demonstrate differentiated dynamic mechanisms. The findings deepen the theoretical understanding of livelihoods in traditional villages under event-driven development. Consequently, this study recommends that policymakers and community stewards channel transient social capital and external flows into durable physical and financial assets to ensure livelihood sustainability beyond the initial event boom. Full article

While place branding strategies are increasingly implemented in rural tourism, they are criticised for issues of exclusion and homogenisation. In response, attempts have been made to rejuvenate place branding by integrating the ideology of place-shaping. To explore the conceptual distinctions between place branding and place-shaping, and the potential for integrating these two approaches, this paper examines the process of tourism programme and beyond in a peripheral rural community in Southwest China. This case study collected qualitative data from 2016 to 2023 to describe how the village was transformed by a top-down tourism initiative and how local stakeholders subsequently shaped these changes. Our empirical investigation reveals that sustainable rural tourism development requires integrating place branding strategies with the place-shaping process. While the administrative and financial support was required to promote the place branding, the exogenous approach led to a brand alien to the place. In contrast, residents and other stakeholders have shaped a living place beyond the programme. It entails an integration where elements from the place branding and place-shaping are recruited, reinterpreted, and reconfigured to support sustainable, place-based development. Full article

Tourism has emerged as a critical economic pillar for many island communities worldwide, transforming their socio-economic structure and land use strategies. However, intensifying typhoons and other extreme climate events pose escalating risks to these communities, demanding adaptive transformations in disaster knowledge systems and risk management strategies. Local disaster knowledge (LDK), as a place-based knowledge system, plays an essential role in shaping adaptive responses and enhancing resilience within these communities. This study investigates the structure and dynamic adaptation paths of local disaster knowledge amid the shift toward tourism-based communities. Using a qualitative approach, this study conducted an in-depth case study on Shengsi Island, China. The findings reveal that LDK exhibits a three-layered structure: deep-intermediate-surface layers. Beliefs constitute the deep core, while social cohesion, risk knowledge and perception form the middle mediating layer. The surface practical layer encompasses early warning systems, anticipatory measures, structural measures, and livelihood adaptation strategies. The interaction among the three layers constitutes the endogenous dynamics driving knowledge adaptation, while macro-level disaster governance and tourism development act as exogenous drivers. Together, these mechanisms facilitate two adaptive pathways: policy-guided structural transformation and tourism-led practical adaptation. This study advances theoretical understanding of LDK by exploring its dynamics in transforming communities, with a framework that can be extrapolated to other disaster risk contexts. It also provides policy-relevant insights for developing disaster resilience and sustainable land use policies in island communities experiencing tourism transformation. Full article

Plastic is a key industrial innovation with wide ranging applications. However, its extensive production, consumption, and inadequate disposal practices have created a complex environmental challenge, resulting in escalating ecological and public health impacts. This study examines plastic waste management practices in the rural coastal communities of Kendwa, Nungwi, Paje, and Michamvi, located near tourist hotels in Zanzibar’s Northern and Southern districts, Tanzania. Structured interviews, observation checklists, and participatory workshops were used to assess the types of plastic waste generated and the level of community engagement in disposal practices. Findings indicate that single-use polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) packaging, particularly beverage bottles and other disposable items from hotels, dominate the waste stream. Nungwi and Kendwa demonstrate proactive responses, supported by a professional waste management company and NGO-led awareness programs promoting sustainable practices. In contrast, Paje and Michamvi continue to face challenges from tourism-linked waste, highlighting disparities in local management capacity. Despite positive initiatives in Nungwi and Kendwa, persistent littering remains a problem due to weak enforcement, limited infrastructure, and inconsistent community compliance. To address these gaps, the study recommends implementing waste bank programs alongside financial sustainability measures and community empowerment initiatives, to reinforce existing efforts and advance more sustainable waste management. Full article

Rural regions around the world continue to struggle with population decline, underutilized infrastructure, and economic stagnation. While tourism is often promoted as a tool for revitalization, conventional approaches tend to prioritize new construction and external ownership, raising concerns about environmental degradation, cultural dilution, and community exclusion. This study adopts a circular economy perspective to explore how adaptive reuse—repurposing abandoned buildings—can support sustainable rural tourism. Focusing on two rural cases in South Korea, the study examines the role of tourism cooperatives in transforming underused facilities into guesthouses, retail shops, visitor centers, and community hubs. Using a qualitative comparative case study approach combining interviews, observations, and content analysis, this study identified how cooperatives mobilize local resources, preserve cultural and natural assets, and reinvest tourism revenues into community-led initiatives. Findings reveal that cooperative-led adaptive reuse enhances local empowerment, cultural preservation, and economic sustainability. This study concludes that embedding circular economy principles within rural tourism fosters resilience and community-driven revitalization and that tourism cooperatives serve as an effective governance structure for implementing circular economy practices. Full article

Sport events generate economic, social, and environmental impacts that shape residents’ perceptions and levels of support. In the context of sustainable urban development, understanding how residents evaluate these impacts provides valuable knowledge about community responses to tourism and event-led growth. Drawing on the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Social Exchange Theory (SET), and Social Representations Theory (SRT), this study examines residents’ evaluations of the Rally Sierra Morena (RSM), a large-scale international motorsport event recently incorporated into the European Rally Championship (ERC). Data were collected shortly before the event using a self-administered questionnaire (n = 1529). An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified a multidimensional structure of perception, and a non-hierarchical k-means cluster analysis identified three clusters: Skeptics, who perceived stronger negative than positive impacts in economic and environmental dimensions; Pragmatists, who emphasized positive economic benefits while acknowledging environmental costs; and Enthusiasts, who consistently rated positive impacts higher across all dimensions and expressed the strongest support for the event. By integrating perceptual and sustainability-based approaches, this study connects residents’ evaluations of a motorsport event with broader discussions on urban resilience and sustainable community development. Full article

This research examines residents’ attitudes toward tourism on Croatian islands as a lens for assessing the sustainability of tourism-led development. In regions where tourism represents a primary economic driver and a major source of local development funding, such reliance has increasingly been recognized as a source of vulnerability. By analyzing survey data collected across islands that differ in geographic size and local characteristics, the research offers an in-depth understanding of how local communities perceive the impacts and future of tourism. Data were analyzed using explanatory factor analysis and cluster analysis. The findings reveal three distinct groups of residents, based on their perceptions of tourism development and shaped by three underlying attitudinal dimensions. The first group strongly supports tourism development. While moderately supportive of tourism as a development strategy, the second group raises concerns about its excessive pressure on local communities and advocates for more stringent regulation. The third group emphasizes the risks associated with tourism-driven growth. These findings underscore the heterogeneity of local perspectives, reflecting varying levels of perceived resilience and vulnerability. The results suggest that areas where residents express greater confidence in tourism and its benefits may exhibit stronger resilience to external shocks and be better suited for tourism-focused development. Conversely, areas where skepticism or concern about tourism prevail may be more susceptible to disruptions and would benefit from more diversified development strategies to build long-term resilience. Full article

Areas characterised by high ecological and cultural value are increasingly exposed to overtourism and intensifying land-use pressures, often exacerbated by mobility policies aimed at enhancing regional accessibility and promoting tourism. These dynamics create spatial tensions, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas such as those within the Natura 2000 network and Sites of Community Importance (SCIs), where intensified visitor flows, and infrastructure expansion can disrupt the balance between conservation and development. This study offers a geospatial analysis of the current state (2024) of such dynamics in the Lazio Region (Italy), evaluating the effects of mobility strategies on ecological vulnerability and tourism pressure. By applying isochrone-based accessibility modelling, GIS buffer analysis, and spatial overlays, the research maps the intersection of accessibility, heritage value, and environmental sensitivity. The methodology enables the identification of critical zones where accessibility improvements coincide with heightened ecological risk and tourism-related stress. The original contribution of this work lies in its integrated spatial framework, which combines accessibility metrics with indicators of ecological and heritage significance to visualise and assess emerging risk areas. The Lazio Region, distinguished by its heterogeneous landscapes and ambitious mobility planning initiatives, constitutes a significant case study for examining how policy-driven improvements in transport infrastructure may inadvertently exacerbate spatial disparities and intensify ecological vulnerabilities in peripheral and sensitive territorial contexts. The findings support the formulation of adaptive, place-based policy recommendations aimed at mitigating the unintended consequences of accessibility-led tourism strategies. These include prioritising soft mobility, enhancing regulatory protection in high-risk zones, and fostering coordinated governance across sectors. Ultimately, the study advances a replicable methodology to inform sustainable territorial governance and balance tourism development with environmental preservation. Full article

China and Italy, both ancient civilizations, have numerous traditional villages that bear witness to history and support the transmission of cultural heritage. However, these villages face challenges such as homogenized development, population outflow, and disruptions in cultural continuity. While both Chinese and Italian traditional villages have received considerable scholarly attention, their comparative study remains relatively limited, leaving the transferability of respective solutions across different legal, heritage and planning contexts to be fully explored. This study aims to adapt and transfer Italy’s contiguous protection, integrated operation, national park designation, and community partnership policies to China in order to establish a comprehensive mechanism for preservation and revitalization of traditional villages. A cross-case study of Cinque Terre (Italy) and Jiande (China), incorporating on-site mapping, governance analysis, and interviews, reveals that Italy’s integrated community-based approach markedly outperforms China’s fragmented state-led model in sustaining population, culture and tourism quality. These findings provide a globally replicable paradigm for traditional village preservation. Full article

Recent scholarship highlights growing interest in the relationship between cultural heritage and sustainable development. However, existing research predominantly focuses on pluralistic governance systems in the West, which limits applicability in authoritarian contexts and leaves evaluation mechanisms underdeveloped. Addressing this gap, this paper proposes the Evidence-Based Disciplinary Assessment (EBDA) approach, a guiding framework that integrates research evidence, historical narratives, and legacies to broaden heritage recognition across five dimensions: cultural, social, environmental, economic, and institutional-governance. The framework demonstrates how disciplinary knowledge valuation can contribute to sustainable heritage in historic art districts. We digitally map spatial clusters of 1347 artists’ residences and identify neighborhoods central to Shanghai’s Republican-period art scene. Through case studies of two existing neighborhoods and qualitative interviews with local officials, we show how evidence-based disciplinary narratives foster neighborhood pride, support adaptive reuse, attract cultural tourism, and align with governance frameworks to promote long-term preservation. Nonetheless, EBDA has limited relevance for social sustainability, particularly in enabling community-led conservation and supporting emerging artists. This hybrid model contributes to both theoretical debates and practical strategies for historic district development. Full article

In the Mexican Caribbean, the demand for tourism services led to the expansion of the hotel industry from the coast inland. This caused rural and urban communities in the region to become involved in tourism activities, initiating the formulation of an international model of sustainable development with a focus on cultural tourism. Considering the tourism potential that the study area can offer to nearby rural communities, as well as the limited number of studies aimed at estimating tourism carrying capacity (see examples of TCC for environmental management units in communal land areas like Baja California, Mexico and the Huagapo cave in Peru), the present research aims at estimating the tourism carrying capacity in the southern region of the Mexican Caribbean. A mixed methodological approach was adopted for the present study entailing a detailed description of flora and fauna in the study area using natural resource mapping tools, social diagnosis of the communities in the study area using the Participatory Action Research (PAR) technique in the communities of Caobas and San José de la Montaña and the estimation of tourism carrying capacity (TCC), Physical Carrying Capacity (PCC), Real Carrying Capacity (RCC), and Effective Carrying Capacity (ECC) using information gathered through fieldwork and bibliographic review. It was found that the area can support a tourism carrying capacity of 538.33 visits per day. In this initial assessment, it was estimated that the implementation of an ecotourism project in a rural community would not alter its environmental conditions. The estimated indicators provide appropriate tools for designing and planning long-term sustainable tourism proposals. Moreover, they integrate environmental, economic, and social aspects in a balanced manner, generating tangible and lasting benefits. Full article

Based on a literature review, the present article aims to present ecotourism as a transformative factor in the economic, social, cultural, and environmental contexts, revealing key elements for the sustainable development of ecotourism. To ensure that this objective is met, the review combines the insights of classical authors and many recent authors who have best addressed the subject. The review carefully selected consensual and contradictory arguments, reflecting on the relevance of each group, particularly in aspects such as the influence of emotional experience on behaviour and satisfaction, strategy and competitive advantage, cooperation and sustainability, and the influence of resilience on ecotourism. The impact of each perspective was presented without ignoring the major constraints that ecotourism faces in its search for a position in the tourism industry. This led the study to accept the fact that the active participation of the community is indispensable in the formula for the success of ecotourism. Some statistical data were consulted and analysed, which enabled the study to determine the quantitative impact of ecotourism on economic, social, and environmental life. In terms of benefits to communities, the review clarifies the fact that ecotourism serves as an instrument that mobilizes not only the additional value of products and services traded in the process, but also the return on investments and job creation. The combination of visiting activities with the involvement of tour guides contributes to maximizing profits in the destinations, thus supporting solid economic, social, and environmental development for the benefit of both ecotourism promoters and local communities. However, the analysis makes it clear that the economic, social, and environmental benefit depends on the degree of involvement of the local population. In terms of usability, for other studies, this review can contribute to the understanding and positioning of ecotourism in the search for a balance between satisfying socioeconomic and environmental interests. Additionally, it can serve as an aid to policy makers in their decisions related to ecotourism. Full article

Cultural heritage in insular regions faces increasing challenges due to overtourism, seasonal economies, and insufficient protection frameworks. This study investigates the adaptive reuse of Sarakina Mansion, a deteriorated 18th-century estate on the island of Zakynthos, as a model for integrating cultural heritage preservation with sustainable tourism. The research addresses the gap in localized strategies for heritage-led development in the context of islands with overtourism. Through a qualitative case study methodology—including site analysis, archival research, and stakeholder interviews—this paper explores how abandoned cultural assets can be reactivated to foster community engagement and diversify tourism models. Two distinct SWOT analyses were conducted as follows: one at the territorial level (Zakynthos Island) and another focused on the island’s cultural heritage. The findings highlight key obstacles such as environmental degradation and policy fragmentation, but they also reveal opportunities for adaptive reuse grounded in local identity and sustainable practices. The proposed reuse scenario for Sarakina promotes partial structural stabilization and community-driven cultural programming, aiming to create a hybrid open-air cultural hub. This study contributes a replicable framework for reimagining neglected heritage assets in overtourism-affected areas, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article