Search Results (213)

Urban tourism has evolved into a complex adaptive system, where unregulated expansion disrupts the ecological balance and intensifies resource stress. Understanding the dynamic evolution and resilience mechanisms of the tourism ecological health network (TEHN) is essential for supporting sustainable urban tourism as a coupled human–natural system. Using Shanghai as a case study, we applied the “vigor–organization–resilience–services” (VORS) framework to evaluate ecosystem health, which served as a constraint for constructing the TEHN, using the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model for the period from 2001 to 2023. A resilience framework integrating structural and functional dimensions was further developed to assess spatiotemporal evolution and guide targeted enhancement strategies. The results indicated that as ecosystem health degraded, particularly in peripheral areas, the urban TEHN in Shanghai shifted from a dispersed to a centralized structure, with limited connectivity in the periphery. The resilience of the TEHN continued to grow, with structural resilience remaining at a high level, while functional resilience still required enhancement. Specifically, the low integration and limited choice between the tourism network and the transportation system hindered tourists from selecting routes with higher ecosystem health indices. Enhancing functional resilience, while sustaining structural resilience, is essential for transforming the TEHN into a multi-centered, multi-level system that promotes efficient connectivity, ecological sustainability, and long-term adaptability. The results contribute to a systems-level understanding of tourism–ecology interactions and support the development of adaptive strategies for balancing network efficiency and environmental integrity. Full article

This research aims to determine the utilization levels of local products and the challenges and opportunities of creating a recognizable food-centered cultural identity based on collaborative networks developed between agriculture and tourism. This has the potential to strengthen collaborative entrepreneurship. It uniquely contributes to the existing literature by exploring the connections between agri-food and tourism, while proposing strategies to maximize business opportunities centered on food culture. Descriptive and inferential statistics are conducted based on primary data collected by distributing a questionnaire to 59 public and private organizations in the Peloponnese region in Greece, which has significant agricultural production but limited tourist flows. The results indicate a lack of collective action and business recognition of the value of regional food culture among participants. The human resources employed in tourism lack the skills to highlight traditional food heritage. The presence of structural and operational barriers undermines efforts to facilitate communication, manage suppliers, and enhance the visibility of products designated with Geographical Indications. This paper offers preliminary results; however, extensive future studies are needed to validate the findings fully. The study highlights key implications: Improved communication between stakeholders could enhance the management of the local food network. Agri-food and tourism businesses can develop educational programs and food-focused tourism packages that promote social cohesion and preserve cultural heritage. Full article

Landscape narrative theory, which focuses on the interaction between space, culture, and human experience, provides a practical and interdisciplinary framework for guiding the integration of culture and tourism. By incorporating storytelling elements into tourism planning, it helps transform static cultural assets into engaging visitor experiences. This approach is particularly relevant in provincial contexts where cultural resources are unevenly distributed. Taking Anhui Province, China, as a case study, this research builds a five-dimensional evaluation system covering culture–tourism economy, cultural resources, tourism resources, transportation accessibility, and policy support. Using spatial analytical methods such as Moran’s I and the Spatial Autoregressive (SAR) model, the study identifies clear spatial clustering patterns and influential factors. The SAR model results show that transportation accessibility (coefficient = 0.685, p < 0.01) and policy support (coefficient = 0.736, p < 0.01) significantly promote integration. In contrast, cultural resources (coefficient = −0.352, p < 0.01) and tourism resources (p ≈ 0.11) have limited or no significant direct economic impact. Based on these findings, this paper proposes targeted strategies such as building regional narrative networks, enhancing infrastructure and policy coordination, and fostering collaborative development. The key contribution of this study lies in applying landscape narrative theory at the provincial level to construct a “Theory–Indicators–Method–Strategy” framework, offering new perspectives for promoting high-quality regional culture–tourism integration. Full article

Against the backdrop of sustainable development and from a macro perspective, this paper focuses on the cultural and tourism industry, measures its sustainable development efficiency, analyzes influencing factors, and systematically explores improvement paths. Based on the theoretical perspective of sustainable development, this study has constructed an evaluation index system for measuring the sustainable development level of the cultural and tourism industry across four dimensions, as follows: cultural and tourism economic construction, cultural and tourism basic resources, social basic support, and ecological environment quality. The range entropy value was adopted to measure the sustainable development level of the cultural and tourism industry in 31 provinces of China from 2006 to 2023. The results show that the sustainable development level of China’s cultural and tourism industry is generally low, but shows an increasing trend. In terms of the annual growth rate of regional scores, the trend is as follows: North China (7.05%) > Central South (6.00%) > East China (5.97%) > Southwest (5.03%) > Northwest (4.56%) > Northeast (2.94%). This indicates considerable room for improvement in the future. Furthermore, this study used kernel density estimation to analyze the distribution dynamics and evolution trends of the sustainable development level of the cultural and tourism industry and its scores at all levels, revealing differences in development levels among provinces and regions. Finally, this study has innovatively adopted the fsQCA method to explore improvement paths for the sustainable development level of the cultural and tourism industry, and identified three implementation paths: “openness–human resources–consumption–environment-driven”, “human resources–consumption–environment-driven”, and “openness–environment-driven”. By constructing a multi-condition combination model, this study breaks through the limitations of traditional single-factor analysis and reveals multiple concurrent causal relationships in complex situations. This approach showcases the differentiated development models of each province under the interacting effects of multi-dimensional factors, and provides policymakers with a basis for precise policy implementation “tailored to local conditions and multi-dimensional collaboration”. Full article

Gonghe Basin is an important frontier of resource and energy development and environmental protection on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and upper sections of the Yellow River. As a characteristic ecotone, this area exhibits complex and diverse ecosystem types while demonstrating marked ecological vulnerability. The response of ecosystem services (ESs) to human activities (HAs) is directly related to the sustainable construction of an ecological civilization highland and the decision-making and implementation of high-quality development. However, this response relationship is unclear in the Gonghe Basin. Based on remote sensing data, land use, meteorological, soil, and digital elevation model data, the current research determined the human activity intensity (HAI) in the Gonghe Basin by reclassifying HAs and modifying the intensity coefficient. Employing the InVEST model and bivariate spatial autocorrelation methods, the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of HAI and ESs and responses of ESs to HAs in Gonghe Basin from 2000 to 2020 were quantitatively analyzed. The results demonstrate that: From 2000 to 2020, the HAI in the Gonghe Basin mainly reflected low-intensity HA, although the spatial range of HAI continued to expand. Single plantation and town construction activities exhibited high-intensity areas that spread along the northwest-southeast axis; composite activities such as tourism services and energy development showed medium-intensity areas of local growth, while the environmental supervision activity maintained a low-intensity wide-area distribution pattern. Over the past two decades, the four key ESs of water yield, soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and habitat quality exhibited distinct yet interconnected characteristics. From 2000 to 2020, HAs were significantly negatively correlated with ESs in Gonghe Basin. The spatial aggregation of HAs and ESs was mainly low-high and high-low, while the aggregation of HAs and individual services differed. These findings offer valuable insights for balancing and coordinating socio-economic development with resource exploitation in Gonghe Basin. Full article

Due to negative natural changes in the population and intense emigration over the past three decades, from the end of the 20th century, the Republic of Serbia (RS) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) have faced a demographic decline of villages. Even villages closer to larger cities struggle with natural population decrease. Agriculture has an increasingly smaller impact on rural sustainability. Rural tourism is one of the activities that can save villages. The aim of this study is to, using a comparative analysis of the attitudes of the citizens of the two aforementioned countries, determine their familiarity with rural tourism and available development support funds, their interest in engaging in rural tourism as an additional or primary activity, and their satisfaction with the involvement of the local community in providing education for rural tourism. To obtain a response, we carried out interviews with 12 respondents from RS and 12 from BiH. The research instrument was the semi-structured in-depth interview. The respondents from BiH are more determined and more engaged in rural tourism than in RS. They are aware of how important rural tourism is for villages, since that is their only option for recovery and sustainability. The respondents from both countries agree that they need the support of the local administration to develop rural tourism. This kind of tourism also requires the demographic improvement of villages, since, without human resources, it is more difficult for the majority of the older population to engage more intensely in rural tourism. Full article

In the business context, human resource management is essential to achieve maximum productivity, making it necessary to build high performance work systems. The aim of this study was to know the current state of human resources practices integrated into the high performance work systems of tourism companies and to understand the relationship between HPWSs and staff turnover, absenteeism, productivity and accident rate, as well as the black box variables that mediate this relationship. A systematic review of literature published between 2019 and 2024 (April) was carried out with PRISMA 2020 statement, based on a bibliographic search in databases and which, after applying eligibility criteria, allowed for the compilation of 18 studies. The academic interest of this review stands out because it is a novel topic, postulating it as a starting point for future theoretical and empirical research that would serve to develop a more robust theory and make visible a topic of great impact for companies in the tourism sector, many of them family businesses, as well as for their workers. Full article

The rapid pace of urbanization is contributing to ecological degradation and poses a threat to regional ecological security. Addressing these issues requires effective strategies to mitigate existing environmental challenges. Ecological networks, as the spatial foundation for ecosystem services, play a critical role in reducing environmental degradation. By reconfiguring the spatial relationship between human activities and natural ecosystems, anthropogenic pressures on land can be alleviated. However, most current research focuses on administrative boundaries, which limits spatial continuity and regional coordination. Therefore, constructing ecological networks from a cross-regional perspective is essential for integrated ecological management. This study uses the Yangtze River Delta Ecological Green Integration Demonstration Area as a case study. We construct a blue–green ecological network by applying ecological footprint analysis, Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA), landscape connectivity assessments, the Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model, and gravity modeling. Practical strategies for integrating the ecological network into territorial spatial planning are also explored. The key findings are as follows: (1) The demonstration area contains 33 ecological source areas, including 20 primary sources located near administrative boundaries and central lakeshore wetlands. A total of 333 ecological corridors were identified. First-grade corridors are primarily located in rural areas, traversing agricultural land and water bodies. (2) We recommend corridor widths of 200 m for first-grade corridors, 60 m for second-grade corridors, and 30 m for third-grade corridors. These widths are based on species characteristics and land use types, and are found to be conducive to species migration and habitat connectivity. (3) We propose the development of tourism landscape zones from a cross-regional perspective, leveraging existing ecological and cultural resources. The multifunctionality of corridors is redefined through the integration of ecological and social values, enhancing their spatial implementation. This framework provides a practical reference for constructing cross-regional blue–green ecological networks and informs spatial planning efforts in other multi-jurisdictional areas. Full article

At the beginning of the third millennium, human civilization faces a paradox of significant proportions: on one hand, industrial and technological growth is causing extensive environmental degradation, threatening both current and future generations. On the other hand, the acceleration of industrial and technological development is essential, requiring a profound transformation of society as the only viable solution. With the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and shifts in the economy, especially regarding sustainability, the process of transformative tourism becomes crucial. Transformative tourism not only aligns with sustainable principles but also fosters a deeper connection between economic development and the preservation of natural resources, ensuring that progress benefits both humanity and the planet. The goal of this research is to identify how the key factors of Industry 4.0 can contribute to the development of sustainable and transformative tourism. The methodological approach of this study uses a systematic literature review (SLR), which allows for a detailed analysis of existing scientific papers and the identification of key trends and challenges in this field. The literature review included scientific papers published between 2013 and 2025, applying predefined criteria of relevance, quality, and focus on sustainability and digitalization in tourism. The key findings of the research indicate that digitalization and automation contribute to improving tourist experiences, optimizing destination management and reducing the ecological footprint of tourism. This research analyses how changes prompted by the Fourth Industrial Revolution can contribute to the sustainability of tourism as the fastest-growing global economic activity. The findings of this paper stem from a literature review that focuses closely on the key aspects of Industry 4.0, including digitization, automation, and the use of innovative technologies in tourism. The results indicate that the benefits arising from the Fourth Industrial Revolution include improvements in tourist experiences, the enhancement of management and marketing activities in tourism, and implications through the ecological impacts of tourism. The paper provides an overview of how the effects of Industry 4.0 are transforming tourism, enabling it to become more resilient and sustainable in the face of the challenges posed by the modern world. Full article

The competitiveness of tourism destinations is a multidimensional concept encompassing natural and cultural resources, infrastructure, accessibility, and services that cater to an increasingly discerning tourism market. Business ecosystems enhance these competitive conditions by adapting to consumers seeking high-value, differentiated experiences. This study examined the relationship between accommodation supply and tourist expenditure in the Canary Islands based on a sample of 38,071 visitors from the 2024 Tourist Expenditure Survey (EGT) of the Canary Islands Statistics Institute. Using Python and R for statistical processing, the findings revealed distinct spending patterns across accommodation types, from five-star hotels to peer-to-peer rentals, demonstrating how supply diversification influences competitiveness. The results reinforce prior research on the significance of investing in infrastructure, technology, and human capital to optimise the tourist experience. Tourist expenditure serves as an indicator of competitiveness, reflecting visitor preferences and the destination’s capacity to meet them. Accommodation choice is identified as a key determinant of spending patterns and their distribution within the local economy. This study provides an analytical basis for evaluating tourism strategies, emphasising the strategic importance of accommodation heterogeneity. It advances methodological understanding of tourist spending behaviour, offering a practical framework for destination development and strategic planning. Full article

Heritage buildings are significant humanistic tourism resources for a city. Yangzhou’s heritage buildings have conservation and utilization value and are a key vehicle for promoting urban tourism development. However, there is a lack of research on their spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and subdivision types. This study aims to explore the spatial and temporal clustering and distribution characteristics of Yangzhou’s heritage buildings, as well as the factors contributing to the formation of these distribution patterns, as a means of promoting the tourism development of Yangzhou. Using mathematical statistics and GIS spatial analysis methods, this study analyzes the geographical distribution patterns of 528 heritage buildings and their influencing factors by using average nearest neighbor analysis, an imbalance index, and density mapping. This study reveals the following findings: (1) The temporal distribution shows an “Λ” shape, in which ancient buildings, modern historical sites, and important modern historical sites and representative buildings account for a significant proportion. (2) The temporal center shows a trend of shifting over time, moving from the southwest to the northwest and then to the northeast. (3) The spatial distribution is uneven; most of these are clustered in Hanjiang District, Gaoyou District, and Baoying County, while few are distributed in other regions. (4) The distribution is influenced by both natural and human factors, including topography, water resources, salt merchant culture, revolutionary culture, war culture, and canal transportation culture, with humans and human factors having a more profound impact than natural factors. Based on these findings, strategies such as regional integration and route planning, the prioritization of sustainable tourism development and preservation, and culture fusion and innovative promotion are proposed in this study as references for the all-for-one tourism development and cultural dissemination of Yangzhou. Full article

Current ecological value assessment models predominantly emphasize the potential value of ecological resources, neglecting the crucial aspect of value realization processes. Analyzing the value of ecological resources from the perspective of ecological products (EPs) is more instructive in realizing ecological values. The key factors controlling the realization of ecological product value are potential value, ecological risk, development costs, and human demand. Previous research has rarely integrated these four factors within the ecological zoning framework. This study proposes a suitability evaluation and zoning framework for ecological product development based on the “value-risk-cost-demand” perspective. First, an evaluation index system for the potential value of ecological products was developed, dividing EPs into ecological agriculture (EA), ecological industry (EI), and ecological tourism (ET), and assessing them using 13 indicators. Ecological risks were modeled using multi-scale patch analysis (MSPA) and other models. Development costs were estimated using cost entropy. The impact of population dynamics on EP demand was quantified using population density, night-time light data, and average land GDP, along with stacked buffer analysis. Next, an improved TOPSIS method was applied to integrate these four dimensions, producing a comprehensive suitability assessment for EP development. Finally, EP zoning was determined by overlaying the comprehensive evaluation results. This framework was used to identify the dominant mode zones of EPs within the region of Jintan District, Jiangsu Province, China. The findings suggest that the integrated assessment model proposed in this study has produced more reasonable outcomes in terms of spatial layout, land use area, reduction of fragmentation and ecological risk. This conclusion is supported by spatial distribution comparisons, optimal area deviation analyses, landscape index calculations and multi-model driven future simulations. This model effectively resolves the spatial mismatch present in the traditional approach, which solely focuses on the potential value of EPs. This study can be applied to other regions with developed economies and rich ecological resources, providing an effective reference for the choice of paths to realize the value of EPs. Full article

This paper explores the intersection of tourism and environmental theories, highlighting how sustainability serves as a critical bridge between the two disciplines. Tourism theories such as Butler’s Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) provide insights into destination development and tourist behavior but often lack an ecological perspective. The environmental framework, including Ecological Modernization Theory (EMT) and Common-Pool Resource (CPR) Theory, emphasizes sustainable resource management and the interconnectedness of human activities and natural systems. This paper examines common concepts such as carrying capacity, sustainable development, and behavioral insights while also identifying tensions between economic growth and environmental preservation. Case studies from Costa Rica, Hawaii, and Thailand illustrate practical applications of these theories in real-world settings, revealing how tourism can be both a threat and a tool for conservation. My paper concludes that integrating environmental impact assessment (EIA) and community-based tourism (CBT) models into tourism planning can lead to better long-term resource management. It recommends the adoption of stricter regulations on tourism development in fragile ecosystems, the implementation of eco-certifications, and the promotion of locally governed tourism initiatives. These strategies will ensure the sustainability of both tourism activities and the ecosystems on which they depend. Full article

As a subset of the human–environment system, the tourism ecosystem focuses on the complex dynamics and interactions between tourism activities and the natural environment. Among these, tourism ecological security (TES) is one of the core issues in the study of tourism ecosystems, aiming to balance economic development and ecological environment protection. Currently, the risk early warning of TES has not received widespread attention, and there is an urgent need for a tourism ecological safety risk early warning system to achieve TES monitoring, risk assessment, and decision support. Therefore, this study established a comprehensive TES evaluation system, systematically analyzed the evolution of TES in Sichuan Province from 2010 to 2022, and used the geographical detector to reveal the influencing factors and driving mechanisms of TES. Based on these achievements, an early risk warning system for TES was established based on the Bayesian network model, simulating the response of TES under single-variable and multi-variable scenarios. The research results reveal that TES changes with environmental changes, resource utilization and consumption, and the development of the tourism industry, and there are differences in the driving factors of TES under different conditions. There is a synergistic effect between the influencing factors of TES, and there is a threshold effect in the regulation of tourism ecological safety, revealing the efficiency and limitations of different regulatory strategies. The early risk warning model for TES based on the Bayesian network has high prediction accuracy and can provide effective support for the management and regulatory policies of TES. Full article

Water is one of the most valuable and essential resources for human life, yet its scarcity has become a pressing global issue exacerbated by climate change and population growth. To address the increasing demand for water driven by urbanization, industrial expansion, tourism, and agricultural needs, many countries are turning to desalination as a viable solution. This study investigates the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) with desalination technologies to enhance both sustainability and efficiency. A comprehensive review of major desalination methods has been conducted, with a particular focus on the application of solar and wind energy. Additionally, the challenges associated with renewable energy-powered desalination, including the need for effective energy storage systems and the inherent volatility of power supply, were explored. Our findings indicate that coupling renewable energy with desalination not only significantly reduces carbon emissions but also enhances the sustainability of water supply systems. The study also emphasizes the importance of emerging technologies, such as hybrid energy storage systems (HESS) and machine learning (ML), in optimizing RES powered desalination processes. Ultimately, this study aims to guide future research and development initiatives, promoting the global adoption of desalination systems powered by renewable energy. Full article