Tourism towards Sustainability and Innovation: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze the progress of tourism towards sustainability and innovation through a systematic literature review summarizing the last five years of research strictly focused on innovation and sustainability applied to tourism. This research comprises a range of theories, practices, methods, and results pursuing innovation and sustainability across different levels, stages, and drivers, and in many tourism contexts. Wide, in-depth, and structured analysis, evaluation, and examination (using the PRISMA and VOSviewer tools) of a final sample of 50 scholarly papers from 27 journals, published between 2017 and the first quarter of 2021, were undertaken. Current publications emphasize qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research methods, as well as statistical and econometric methods, such as descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. This study categorizes the four major topics identified, sustainability, innovation, sustainable development, and sustainable tourism, which comprised the contextual dimensions and relevant stages of the subject areas examined. This systematic literature review highlights advances and the significantly increasing overall number of papers over recent years. Currently, sustainability is in a more advanced state compared to innovation. The outcomes highlight that the indicators of sustainability and innovation still need further analysis within the tourism context. However, more concrete process indicators are needed for continuous improvement of the front-end of innovation and sustainable tourism. The results help in better understanding the sustainability and innovation process as applied to tourism. In particular, this study explores further direct linkages between sustainability and innovation and tourism, discussing and providing new future directions aligned with the closing remarks as well as a strategic agenda for future action post-COVID-19.

The role of community involvement in sustainable tourism strategies: A social and environmental innovation perspective

“…Nowadays, “the current COVID‐19 outbreak and high risks of future pandemics have given rise to new challenges for sustainable tourism development” (Streimikiene et al, 2020, p. 1). With this in the brain, it can be deduced that scheduling and growing tourism with a purpose, sustainably, and in terms of new and radical concerns, challenges, guidelines, and tactics are extremely important and influential (Santos et al, 2021). There we formulate our third hypothesis:Hyp3 Social innovation has a significant impact on sustainable tourism development .…”

Periphery and Integrated Planning: Coping with Rural and Touristic Challenges across Scales in the German Wadden Sea Region

“…Some island municipalities have a long history as tourism resorts dating back to the late 18th century (e.g., Norderney). Similarly, some mainland municipalities have become important tourist destinations seasonally, especially coastal villages and towns [28].…”

“…The two island municipalities and the two mainland municipalities are affected differently by demographic changes. According to the current official projections [28], the mainland city of Norden is expected to maintain its overall population by 2030, while the population of the municipality of Wangerland will be declining over the same period. The islands of Juist and Spiekeroog are expected to slightly gain inhabitants.…”

“…Those who are able to acquire funding are often able to strengthen the municipality by supporting careful strategic action in the community. In touristic rural areas, local populations are very heterogeneous, and there is the necessity to balance different interests and needs [28,61]. Applying the Living Lab approach in the "Wat Nu?"…”

“…Germany is a polycentric, highly diverse country with more than 80 percent of its territory defined as rural [11], while 78% percent of the population lives in cities (https: //www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/urbanization/ [accessed on 28 March 2023]) The characteristic portfolio of rural challenges sketched above can be identified in Germany as well. Germany's population has become the second oldest in the world after Japan and is forecasted to age even further in the future [12].…”