Search Results (87)

This study explores sustainable rural tourism entrepreneurship within the Urlaub am Bauernhof (UaB) cooperative network in Austria, offering an integrated model that unites financial, social, environmental, institutional, and marketing dimensions. Employing exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) on data from 393 farm-based accommodation stakeholders, this research identifies sustainable entrepreneurship as comprising six interconnected dimensions: Economic Resilience and Diversification, Sociocultural Integration, Environmental and Regional Commitment, Market Visibility and Strategic Communication, Quality Assurance and Institutional Support, and Perceived Value and Branding. This multidimensional and hierarchically structured framework reflects the complex yet coherent nature of sustainability-driven entrepreneurship in cooperative tourism networks. The findings confirm the multidimensional nature of sustainable entrepreneurship and support the hypothesized structural relationships. The UaB network is presented as a transferable model that demonstrates how cooperative frameworks can enhance sustainability, regional identity, and rural revitalization, offering valuable insights and practical guidance for rural regions in the Western Balkans, where economic challenges, depopulation, and underdeveloped tourism infrastructure prevail. By illustrating a successful cooperative approach rooted in sustainability and regional identity, this study contributes to policy-making aimed at fostering resilient, culturally rich, and environmentally responsible rural tourism entrepreneurship in transitioning contexts. Full article

This study examines the role of public–private partnerships in promoting the sustainable development of travel destinations through a comparative analysis of two emblematic heritage-based hospitality projects: Dar Tantora in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia, and Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita in Matera, Italy. These case studies were analysed through both architectural–urban and economic–legal perspectives to highlight how public–private partnership models can support heritage conservation, community engagement, and responsible tourism development. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative indicators—such as projected profitability, tourist volume, and employment—with qualitative insights from interviews with key stakeholders. The analysis reveals that while both models prioritise cultural authenticity and adaptive reuse, they differ significantly in funding structures, legal frameworks, and governance dynamics. Dar Tantora exemplifies a top-down, publicly funded model integrated into Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, whereas Sextantio reflects a bottom-up, private initiative rooted in social enterprise. The findings offer insights into how different public–private partnership configurations can foster sustainable tourism development, depending on local context, institutional frameworks, and strategic goals. The study contributes to the broader discourse on regenerative tourism, architectural conservation, and policy-driven heritage reuse. Full article

This study explores the marketing potential of artisanal agri-food products in Ukraine by examining their structural, regional, and consumer dimensions. Amid growing interest in sustainable and locally rooted food systems, the research addresses how artisanal production can evolve from informal crafts to market-recognized value. This study is based on an analysis of official statistical data and an analysis of registered artisanal food producers in specific areas in Ukraine. It emphasizes the role of household-based agriculture in securing raw materials, the impact of cultural–tourism infrastructure on product visibility, and the benefits of self-sufficiency in raw material sourcing for product differentiation. The findings reveal that regions with stronger household production and cultural engagement demonstrate higher activity in the artisanal food sector. This study concludes that artisanal food production offers a viable pathway for regional development, rural resilience, and the strengthening of local food identity. Full article

The present study explores residents’ perceptions of Stintino (Sardinia, Italy) as a tourist destination. The municipality is predominantly known for La Pelosa beach, widely regarded as one of the most attractive coastal sites in Europe. However, its popularity has raised critical issues related to carrying capacity and seasonal overcrowding, contributing to a tourism model centered almost exclusively on beach-related activities. This study aims to investigate how locals conceptualize their place beyond the dominant seaside narrative, particularly considering Stintino’s identity as a former fishing village with a strong maritime tradition. As part of Italy’s designated inner areas, Stintino also embodies a deep-rooted connection to cultural heritage, further reinforcing the need for its preservation. Adopting a photovoice-based participatory visual methodology, this study engaged 15 local stakeholders from key sectors (hospitality, fishing tourism, retail, gastronomy, and cultural institutions) who produced and discussed photographic representations of their lived experience of the territory. The visual material was thematically analyzed using a conceptual framework informed by theories of place perception and social representations. The findings suggested a multifaceted territorial storytelling rooted in local heritage, symbolic spaces, and everyday practices. Tourism governance strategies could incorporate community-based approaches, such as participatory mapping and inclusive narrative development, to foster more sustainable and place-sensitive promotion models. Full article

Cultural heritage reflects accumulated memories, generational practices, and esthetic and cultural ideologies that shape identities. The inherent diversity and uniqueness of these identities define heritage elements, which, however, remain fragile, non-renewable, irreplaceable, and vulnerable. In regions affected by the significant devastation caused by contemporary socio-economic activities, policies often neglect the intrinsic historical and heritage value(s). The historical landscapes with tourism potential that experience decline, degradation, and destruction need even more protection and policies to aid their regeneration and preservation. This study seeks to develop a comprehensive framework for preserving a highly endangered historical road, along with its invaluable monuments and cultural landscapes, as a means to stimulate regional revitalization. The methodological approach relies on observation, field work, and semi-structured interviews to provide a comprehensive historical overview of the Estrada do Paraibuna (Paraibuna Road). This region has suffered significant degradation of its historical and natural assets as a result of intensive resource exploitation. This study underscores the heritage elements with strong tourism potential along the route between Ouro Preto and Barbacena, while underlining the critical need to combat landscape degradation. This study pursues to create a shared vision rooted in promoting sustainable practices that leverage natural and cultural resources, safeguard local culture, and encourage community collaboration in regenerative efforts. Full article

This study investigates how local gastronomic products with strong cultural and heritage value can contribute to destination identity and sustainable rural tourism development. Focusing on cave-aged cheeses, it emphasizes the case of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon (France), where traditional cheese-making and natural cave-aging have been successfully integrated into tourism experiences that reflect terroir, authenticity, and rural heritage. To explore tourist motivations, a survey of 416 visitors was conducted. Factor analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were used to identify the main drivers behind cheese-related tourism. The analysis revealed three key motivational factors: Traditional Gastronomy, linked to interest in regional food practices; Cheese Experience, emphasizing the unique appeal of Roquefort cheese; and Heritage Tourism, reflecting a desire to connect with rural identity and sustainable traditions. These results support the hypothesis that culturally significant local food products can serve as central elements in shaping place identity and attracting visitors through immersive, heritage-based experiences. The study concludes that food heritage can be a powerful tool for rural development, offering economic, cultural, and experiential value. It also identifies similar opportunities in Serbian regions such as Pirot and Sokobanja, where traditional kačkavalj cheese and natural cave environments present strong potential for tourism growth rooted in local identity. Full article

The north of Portugal and Porto, a city recognised as a World Heritage Site, stand out for their rich historical trajectory, fostering a continuous increase in tourists over the past decade. This distinction has played a crucial role in acknowledging cultural and landscape heritage while promoting a heightened flow of visitors to the region. Portuguese gastronomy is a key factor in the growth of this tourism industry. It is a living tradition passed down through generations, deeply rooted in regional history and practices, where the residents play a vital role as custodians of these customs and traditions. The primary aim of this article is to analyse residents’ perceptions from the North of Portugal regarding the recognition of gastronomy as a cultural heritage and its role as a tool for tourism development. To achieve this aim, structured questionnaires were distributed to residents using an approach in popular urban tourism areas of Porto between May and October 2022, resulting in 262 valid responses. The findings reveal that participants consider it essential to preserve traditional dishes and ensure their transmission across generations. Regarding tourism, most respondents concur that it positively contributes to the preservation of traditional gastronomy, valuing it as an integral part of cultural heritage. Full article

Cultural tourism can act as a driver for inner area development, bringing about a range of socio-economic benefits through economic stimulation, quality of life improvement, and cultural heritage preservation. Inner territories, set apart by geographic marginality and low population density, hold a rich cultural and environmental heritage that, however, remains off the radar and left behind. Guided by the principles of endogenous local development, this article seeks to contribute to the existing body of research by proposing potential strategies for local growth rooted in cultural tourism. From this perspective, we identified the Basilicata region (Southern Italy) as a proper test area. The region is rich in archaeological, monumental and museum evidence, but is characterized, except in a few areas, by a low rate of tourist turnout. Through a replicable, comprehensive, and flexible methodology—drawing on bibliographic research, analysis of archaeological, archival, erudite and antiquarian sources, and carrying out field surveys—the different points of interest in the region have been brought together under specific cultural themes. Results include the design of three detailed routes (Via Herculia, Frederick II’s, and St Michael’s cultural routes) useful for three different types of tourism (sustainable, emotional, and accessible). Possible scenarios for valorization and fruition are also proposed, paying particular attention to digital technologies. Thus, this research aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 and 11 promoting cultural heritage valorization and preservation, shoring up economic revitalization, stepping up community engagement, and pushing forward environmentally friendly tourism practices. Research findings can attract the interest of a wide range of stakeholders such as tourism professionals, local authorities, cultural and creative industries, local communities and entrepreneurs, as well as academics and researchers. The methodological approach can be considered for the valorization and tourist enjoyment of inner areas in other countries, with particular focus on those falling within the Mediterranean region which is rich in cultural heritage, environmental value, and socio-economic potential. Full article

Mofettes or natural CO₂ springs release large amounts of geogenic CO₂ at ambient temperature, leading to long-term soil hypoxia in these extreme ecosystems. Thus, they can serve as natural long-term experiments in ecology and evolution and other environmental studies, providing stable long-term changes in abiotic factors that are most pronounced in mofette soils. This paper reviews basic research on rhizosphere processes, soil microbial communities, and microbial diversity in mofettes, focusing on reports describing the effects of altered soil gas regimes on root respiration and the diversity and community structure of archaea, bacteria, and fungi in soil. Furthermore, an insight into possible applications of mofette ecosystems is given. For more than 20 years, mofettes have provided new insights into the importance of long-term changes in abiotic environmental factors in regulating soil biodiversity, serving as a model for extreme ecosystems. Mofettes provide an innovative approach to the study of many ecological processes that occur slowly and, therefore, require extensive and lengthy observations and experiments, acting as a space-for-time substitution. Previous studies in mofettes around the world have determined plant responses to elevated CO₂ concentrations over multiple generations, described new species of collembolans and yeasts, and identified stable patterns in microbial communities describing specific acidophilic and methanogenic consortia of soil archaea and bacteria, as well as stable communities of plant symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. As the development of high-throughput molecular techniques has accelerated rapidly in the last decade, mofettes now serve more than ever as a natural long-term experimental system to study soil and rhizosphere ecology and contribute to further research on long-term ecological and evolutionary processes that are crucial for understanding past evolutionary events, managing future ecosystems, and predicting ecological responses to global change. Some recent developments target the specific geological and biological characteristics of these extreme ecosystems, including in terms of applications related to environmental impact assessment of carbon capture and storage systems, as well as conservation status, tourism, culture and education, i.e., broader ecosystem services of mofettes, which are addressed in this review together with basic research on soil biodiversity. Full article

In response to the urgent need for the sustainable conservation of cultural heritage against the backdrop of climate change and environmental degradation, this study proposes a low-cost, non-destructive digital recording method for murals based on close-range photogrammetry. By integrating non-metric digital cameras, total stations, and spatial coordinate transformation models, high-precision digital orthophoto generation for indoor murals was achieved. Experimental results show that the resolution error of this method is 0.02 mm, with root mean square errors (RMSE) of 3.51 mm and 2.77 mm in the X and Y directions, respectively, meeting the precision requirements for cultural heritage conservation. Compared to traditional laser scanning technology, the energy consumption of the equipment in this study is significantly reduced, and the use of chemical reagents is avoided, thereby minimizing the carbon footprint and environmental impact during the recording process. This provides a green technological solution to address climate change. Additionally, the low-cost nature of non-metric cameras offers a feasible option for cultural heritage conservation institutions with limited resources, promoting equity and accessibility in heritage protection amid global climate challenges. This technology provides sustainable data support for long-term monitoring, virtual restoration, and public digital display of murals while also offering rich data resources for virtual cultural tourism, public education, and scientific research. It demonstrates broad application potential in the context of climate change and environmental protection, contributing to the green transformation and sustainable development of cultural tourism. Full article

Sustainable urban development increasingly aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the importance of integrating local cultural landscapes into city planning. One compelling example is the concept of fengshui forests in China, which are deeply rooted in traditional beliefs associated with prosperity for local communities. This study explores how fengshui forests can inform urban landscape design, particularly in the context of biodiversity conservation. We conducted a comprehensive literature review to examine studies on the ecological functions and cultural significance of fengshui forests. This review included research articles, case studies, and ecological assessments, revealing that fengshui forests provide essential ecosystem services—such as preserving biodiversity, regulating microclimates, and sequestering carbon—while also offering unique cultural insights, economic resources, and tourism potential. Recognizing the critical role of plant selection and combination in urban landscape design, we compiled a database of 1196 recorded plant species from fengshui forests, detailing their physiological traits, geographical distribution, and social values. By employing diverse plant arrangement and combination, urban landscape designers can select suitable species to create green spaces that support a well-functioning food web and ecosystem, ultimately fostering biodiversity conservation. By harnessing both the ecological functions and cultural values of fengshui forests, this research highlights their potential to enhance urban eco-landscape design, promote eco-tourism, and aid in the preservation of local species. These forests, with their traditional roots and ecological significance, hold promise for advancing ecological civilization through effective biodiversity conservation and sustainable urban planning. Full article

This research investigates the role residents’ place attachment plays in developing their trust in the government in the city of Budapest. Rooted in different domains such as politics, environmental, and social psychology and aligned with the related SDGs (goals 3, 11 16, 17), an integrative model of residents’ place attachment, trust in the local government, QoL, social impacts, and pro-social engagement is proposed, which the authors argue are important mechanisms to be explored in determining support for sustainable tourism development to promote responsible consumption and production (SDG 12). We applied SEM on a sample of 350 residents. Findings suggest that place attachment significantly influences residents’ trust in the local government, which also has a positive influence on quality of life. Quality of life has a significant influence on perceived social impacts, which strongly leads to pro-social engagement; pro-social engagement underpins support for tourism development. This paper sets a future research agenda for sustainable tourism by indicating its possible antecedents. Sustainable tourism development has important implications for the achievement of other sustainability goals. The study aligns well with the United Nations Tourism’s vision of tourism as an important driver of positive change for responsible consumption and advancing other SDGs. Full article

China’s Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (China-NIAHS) are agricultural systems with deep historical and cultural roots that exhibit temporal continuity and spatial heterogeneity in their formation and distribution. As modern and industrialized agriculture have developed, traditional agricultural systems are facing unprecedented challenges and pressures. This study investigates the spatiotemporal distribution and influencing factors of 196 China-NIAHS sites, categorized into five categories. Using spatial analysis techniques and Geographical Detectors, this study identifies key natural, socioeconomic, and cultural drivers shaping their distribution. The results reveal a predominantly clustered spatial distribution of China-NIAHS, centered around the Yangtze River Basin, with significant influences from population density, tourism development, and industrialization. Historical analysis highlights a west-to-east and northward migration of agricultural activity, driven by political stability and technological advancements. Further findings indicate that the spatial distribution of China-NIAHS is primarily determined by population density, tourism development, and river network density. Population density plays a pivotal role in heritage preservation, tourism development generates economic benefits and facilitates cultural dissemination, and river network density supports the formation and sustainability of heritage sites. Conversely, urbanization and economic development have limited influence, emphasizing the need to prioritize socioeconomic and natural factors in conservation strategies. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of China-NIAHS, offering valuable insights for sustainable heritage conservation and the strategic integration of natural and socioeconomic factors into modern agricultural policies. These findings deepen the understanding of China-NIAHS, highlighting their role in ecological and cultural sustainability while supporting value assessment, region-specific protection, and sustainable utilization strategies. Full article

Adventure tourism offers unique experiences while presenting environmental concerns related to resource consumption and waste generation. Studies integrating circular economy (CE) principles in adventure tourism, particularly in South Africa, are limited. This research investigates the perspectives of managers and owners of adventure Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) on challenges hindering the implementation of a CE model and explores how digital technologies can be leveraged to overcome these challenges. The purpose is to gain a deeper understanding of the specific barriers faced by adventure companies in adopting CE principles. The study is rooted in an interpretivist epistemological stance. This study adopts qualitative methodology whereby netnographic tools were used for data collection through 12 online interviews with owners and managers in Mpumalanga. The results present the solutions provided by digital technologies towards advancing resource efficiency in a sustainable and resilient pathway in the adventure tourism industry. By focusing on the perspectives of stakeholders within adventure tourism SMMEs, this research provides valuable insights for a more sustainable and resource-efficient industry in South Africa. The Mpumalanga case study of successful CE implementation and investigation of the environmental impact reduction potential of CE practices in adventure tourism could be beneficial to practitioners and researchers. Full article

This study examines the structural relationship between a destination’s image (DI), social influence (SI), and tourists’ brand trust (BT) and brand loyalty (BL) in the destination of Tozeur, a Tunisian town located at the gateway to the Sahara and rooted in the Atlas Mountains, where George Lucas set scenes for the Star Wars saga. The structural correlations between the variables in the model were tested through structural equation modeling (SEM). Data from 1405 tourists, who had visited Tozeur, were analyzed through SEM using AMOS software (version 25). The results showed that DI significantly affects BT (β = 0.924, p < 0.001) and significantly affects BL (β = 0.481, p < 0.01). Additionally, SI significantly affects BT (β = 0.274, p < 0.001) and significantly affects BL (β = 0.234, p < 0.001). Furthermore, BT significantly affects the BL (β = 0.461, p < 0.01). Tourist’s trust in a brand was found to act as a partial mediator on the link between destination image and brand loyalty and between social influence and brand loyalty. The findings demonstrate the importance of the tourism destination as well as social influence in boosting tourism trust and increasing destination loyalty among tourists. The results have many practical implications for destination marketers. Full article