Tourism: how to achieve the sustainable development goals?

Abstract

Purpose The purpose is to provide an overview as to how the sustainable development goals (SDGs) are being implemented by countries with different tourism requirements and resources. In so doing, this theme issue presents case studies from across the globe and examines them from academic and practitioner perspectives. The case studies cover: hospitality, tourism agriculture, events, small and medium sized businesses, sport, the African Union as a regional organisation and wildlife tourism. Ultimately, the objective is to encourage countries to implement the SDGs by highlighting the benefits they bring to the economy, society and the environment. Design/methodology/approach This paper outlines the theme issue approach which draws on a blend of case studies, online sources, literature review and industry reports. This combination of primary, secondary and tertiary data enables a meaningful analysis of the implementation of SDGs in destinations with different requirements and characteristics. Findings The theme issue findings provide insights on the history, status and progress of SDGs in hospitality and tourism worldwide. Based on reviews and practical evidence, it is clear that many countries have not yet successfully implemented the SDGs, whereas others have made significant progress by embracing sustainable action. The overall observations point towards collaboration between stakeholders, and the scale of organisations as a sine qua non condition for the achievement of sustainability. Originality/value The value of this theme issue is that it presents a variety of case studies that demonstrate how different countries have successfully implemented the SDGs and the challenges faced while embracing those actions. Each case presented is unique and the variety of strategies proposed therein serves as guide to practitioners and destination managers. Further, the findings may be applicable to other geographic regions with similar contexts.

Nocturnal futures : a necessary reflection in times of uncertainty

“…In the Global South, nighttime leisure has gained popularity as a local development instrument, mostly in tourist areas and in the large metropolises of the region. However, while there is already a solid epistemological body on the transformation of the tourism industry into a more socially and environmentally sustainable industry (Fennell & Cooper, 2020 ;Hardy et al, 2002 ;Harris et al, 2012 ;McMinn, 1997 ;Seraphin & Gowreesunkar, 2021 ;Yfantidou & Matarazzo, 2017), the study of how Europe and Latin America's nighttime leisure industry can contribute to a climate-neutral and 'socially just' world still remains largely unaddressed -with the exception of Nofre and Garcia-Ruiz (2023).…”

The End of Covid-19 and Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals by the Hospitality Sector in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…The SDGs set a global agenda for development by 2030 to confront challenges faced in both the Global South and Global North contexts (Saarinen, 2020). They set a long-term vision that guides the hospitality sector on the implementation and ultimately the achievement of sustainability targets (Seraphin and Gowreesunkar, 2021). Although the localization of SDGs in the hospitality sector in Southern Africa is still lagging there is mounting evidence of SDGs being integrated into certain hospitality operations (Dube, 2021).…”

“…Arguably, as the global economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic greater consideration must be given to adopting an all-encompassing sustainable approach towards tourism development which involves enhanced c ommitment to the SDGs (Seraphin and Gowreesunkar, 2021). Moreover, with climate change the next disruptive crisis likely to have a major future impact on the tourism industry, climate adaptation, sustainability issues and the SDGs must be at the centre stage for the transformation of the tourism industry (Dube, 2021).…”

Analyzing the Development Possibilities of the Mountain Area of Banat, Caras-Severin County

“…The main objectives of sustainable tourism are the following: avoiding negative impacts on the environment, natural resources, tradition and local culture; ensuring the conservation of local ecosystems; generating income; creating new jobs; and increasing the country's visibility and competitiveness worldwide. Special forms of tourism, such as sports tourism, religious tourism, children's camps and educational visits, could further support each country's sustainable tourism efforts [41].…”