TY - JOUR

T1 - Characterising and identifying gaps in sustainability assessments of tourism - a review

AU - Balas, Martin

AU - Abson, David J.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Elsevier Ltd

PY - 2022/7/1

Y1 - 2022/7/1

N2 - This paper highlights the main stages in developing a process of sustainability assessments in tourism (SAT) and applies a systematic literature review of empirical research based on pre-developed assessment categories. The aim is to characterise general approaches to measuring sustainability in tourism and to identify patterns and research gaps within these approaches. Four major assessment methodologies were identified through a hierarchical cluster analysis. Whereas new frameworks and indices explore new conceptual approaches to sustainability assessments, case studies and systems approaches rely on existing indicator work and create new assessment contexts. The literature review confirms the heterogeneity of these assessments, albeit without an overall sector-specific consensus. The results show that stakeholder involvement is not widely implemented in the indicator-selection process, and indicators are not linked to sustainability targets. The findings demonstrate that more effort is needed in relation to contextualising frameworks and assessment approaches, to foster target-oriented decision-making.

AB - This paper highlights the main stages in developing a process of sustainability assessments in tourism (SAT) and applies a systematic literature review of empirical research based on pre-developed assessment categories. The aim is to characterise general approaches to measuring sustainability in tourism and to identify patterns and research gaps within these approaches. Four major assessment methodologies were identified through a hierarchical cluster analysis. Whereas new frameworks and indices explore new conceptual approaches to sustainability assessments, case studies and systems approaches rely on existing indicator work and create new assessment contexts. The literature review confirms the heterogeneity of these assessments, albeit without an overall sector-specific consensus. The results show that stakeholder involvement is not widely implemented in the indicator-selection process, and indicators are not linked to sustainability targets. The findings demonstrate that more effort is needed in relation to contextualising frameworks and assessment approaches, to foster target-oriented decision-making.

KW - Sustainability Governance

KW - Sustainable tourism assessments

KW - Sustainability sciences, Communication

KW - impact

KW - indicators

KW - monitoring

KW - Tourism studies

KW - sustainable develeopment

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85136498281&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/06c2f345-d7b2-351e-93ae-2547cca4091d/

U2 - 10.1016/j.tmp.2022.101004

DO - 10.1016/j.tmp.2022.101004

M3 - Scientific review articles

VL - 43

JO - Tourism Management Perspectives

JF - Tourism Management Perspectives

SN - 2211-9736

M1 - 101004

ER -