Prelims

Half Title Page

Sustainable Tourism, Part A

Editorial Advisory Board

Dr Archi Dubey, ICFAI University, Raipur

Dr Arun Bhatia, Central University of Himachal Pradesh

Dr Astha Sharma, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies

Dr Kiran Shashwat, Chandigarh University

Dr Pooja Pandey, Atal Bihari Bajpayee University Bilaspur

Dr Rekha Maitra, Hospitality and Tourism Training Professional, G.D. Goenka Public School

Dr Shilpi Gupta, Amity University Chhattisgarh

Dr Shivam Bhartiya, Jain (Deemed-to-be University)

Dr Sumona Bhhattacharya, Atal Bihari Bajpayee University Bilaspur

Dr Susobhan Maiti, Jain (Deemed-to-be University)

Dr Vaibhav Bhatt, Central University of Tamil Nadu

Dr Viana Hassan, University of Malta

Javier Martínez Falcó, University of Alicante

Mr Tinashe A Kodzanai, Department of Tourism & Hospitality Management, Harare Polytechnic

Title Page

Sustainable Tourism, Part A: Balancing Conservation and Progress in a Dynamic Industry

Edited by

Disha Sharma

Amity University Chhattisgarh, India

Hamid Abdullah

Atal Bihari Vajpayee Vishwavidyalaya, India

And

Pramendra Singh

Lovely Professional University, India

United Kingdom – North America – Japan – India – Malaysia – China

Copyright Page

Emerald Publishing Limited

Emerald Publishing, Floor 5, Northspring, 21-23 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL

First edition 2024

Editorial matter and selection © 2024 Disha Sharma, Hamid Abdullah and Pramendra Singh.

Individual chapters © 2024 The authors.

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ISBN: 978-1-83797-980-6 (Print)

ISBN: 978-1-83797-979-0 (Online)

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About the Editors

Dr Disha Sharma is part of the Finance Faculty, currently working as an Assistant Professor at Amity Business School, Amity University Chhattisgarh. She is a qualified UGC-NET & SET, did Master’s in three subjects and completed her PhD from Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla University. She has 6 years of teaching experience. She has published 10 Scopus and four peer-reviewed papers. She has also written seven book chapters in international and Scopus-indexed books. She has successfully edited three books under reputed journals and is currently editing two books on sustainability in tourism with Emerald Publishing. She also has experience as a Co-Principal Investigator in ICSSR and UNICEF Project and is currently working on another project as a Principal Director. She has presented nine research papers at national and international conferences. She is a lifetime member of the Indian Commerce Association and Indian Accounting Association.

Dr Hamid Abdullah, an accomplished academician with over 15 years of experience in academia and industry, currently serves as an Assistant Professor and the Head of the Department of Hotel Management and Hospitality at Atal Bihari Vajpayee University Bilaspur (formerly Bilaspur University) in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India. He holds a PhD from the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITHM), Bundelkhand University Jhansi, UP India, an MBA specialising in HR and Marketing from The Business School, University of Jammu, and an MTM from Indira Gandhi National Open University. Additionally, he holds a BSc in Hospitality and Hotel Administration from the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Srinagar. Dr Abdullah is a qualified UGC NET JRF in Tourism Administration and Management and actively contributes to academia through research papers published in national and international journals, as well as book chapters in edited books. He has also participated in various national and international conferences.

Dr Pramendra Singh completed PhD in Tourism and Travel management and is currently working as an Assistant Professor in School of Hotel Management and Tourism, Lovely Professional University, India. He has more than 10 years of teaching and research experience. His research area includes heritage tourism, sustainable tourism, tourism and technology and tourism education. He has published more than 25 research papers and book chapters with reputed international and Indian publishers. He is currently editing two books on sustainability in tourism with Emerald Publishing and CABI. He has also been a key resource person for many academic conferences and guest lectures.

About the Contributors

Bassam Al-Romeedy is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Tourism And Hotels, University of Sadat city – Egypt, and an Accredited External Auditor at the National Authority for Quality Assurance of Education and Accreditation – Egypt. His research interests are human resources management in tourism, knowledge management, ecotourism, tourism management, sustainable tourism, tourism marketing, competitiveness in travel agencies, leadership in tourism and organisational behaviour in tourism.

Nurwati Badarulzaman is an Associate Professor in Urban Planning at the School of Housing Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia since 1994. She holds a BSc in Urban Studies and Environmental Planning (University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, USA), Master of Urban and Regional Planning (Virginia State University-Blacksburg, Virginia, USA) and PhD in Employment Planning (University of Sheffield, UK). Her research interests include urban planning, creative cities and sustainable housing. She has published widely in international journals.

Shweta Bajaj, MBA and PhD in Management. Currently, she is working as an Associate Professor and the Head of Department – School of Management in AAFT University of Media and Arts, Raipur. Her research interest area includes total quality management, advertisement and event management.

Shakeel Basheer is a Research Scholar in Department of Tourism Management, Lovely Professional University. His core subject is tourism management. His research interest is e-tourism, business ethics community studies, tourist behaviour, entrepreneurship and metaverse tourism.

Bharath H. is a Research Scholar with a diverse academic background and a strong passion for research. Holding a Master's degree in both MBA and MSc Psychology, Bharath has demonstrated a unique blend of business acumen and a deep understanding of human behaviour. Currently pursuing a PhD in Management, he is committed to advancing his knowledge and contributing to the academic field. Bharath has enriched his academic journey with a year of industry experience, providing him with practical insights into the dynamics of the business world. This hands-on experience has complemented his theoretical knowledge, equipping him with a well-rounded perspective that he integrates into his research endeavours. Currently, he holds the position of Teaching Assistant in the Marketing department at CMS Business School, Jain deemed to be University.

Anand Chatterjee is a Research Scholar in Amity Business School, Raipur, India. Born and brought up in Delhi. Did schooling from Vivekanand Public School in Delhi. After completion of school, went to pursue Computer Science Engineering in Amravati University, Maharashtra. Worked for a year in a leading software firm in Mumbai as a Software Engineer, developing a Japanese Banking software. Worked for a year as a Lecturer in Amravati University and taught computer language, Java. Pursued MBA in Finance from University of Calcutta. Has been working with a Public Sector Bank for 11 years now in credit portfolio.

Suravi Chatterjee is a Research Scholar in Amity Business School, Raipur, India. Born and brought up in Jharkhand. Did schooling from Carmel School, Jharkhand. After schooling, went to pursue BSc BEd from Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Worked as a PGT teacher for a year in Concept Public School, Jharkhand. Pursued MBA in Finance from University of Calcutta. Has been working with a Public Sector Bank for 11 years now in Credit Monitoring and Risk Management.

Biswajit Das joined KIIT University since 1999 and has 30 years of experience in academia, administration and government. He has authored 12 books (national and International), 194 research papers (national and international), awarded with 21 PhD research scholars (Indian and International), and 8 scholars are under guidance and implemented funded projects.

Rishi Manik Das, MBA with postgraduate diploma in Photography and Diploma in Animation. Currently, he is working as the Head of Department School of Still Photography at AAFT University of Media and Arts, Raipur. His research interest area includes photography, animation, advertisement and tourism.

Shaymaa El-Sisi is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, at Helwan University – Egypt. Her research interests are entrepreneurship, economics and human resource management in tourism.

Shilpi Gupta, a CMA and PhD in Management. Currently, she is working as an Assistant Professor in Amity University Chhattisgarh. Her research interest areas include behavioural finance, investment diversification and AI in investments.

Viana Hassan is deeply engaged in academic and research endeavours in Tourism and Cultural Management across Lebanon and Malta. She holds a PhD in Tourism Management and Cultural Studies from Saint Joseph University, Beirut, with her thesis focusing on ‘Medical Tourism in Lebanon’. With over 19 years of diverse tourism experience, she has excelled in various roles ranging from airline sales (MEA) to co-managing several Lebanese travel agencies. As an experienced Lecturer for over 17 years, Dr Viana has taught at esteemed institutions including Lebanese University, AUL, Lebanese International University, Islamic University, Institute of Tourism Studies, STC Higher Education (partner of Wolverhampton University) and University of Malta (GBS Malta partner of Spa Bath University UK). Her expertise spans tourism management, customer service, branding, event management, airline business management, business operations management, customer acquisition and medical tourism. Viana has presented at international conferences and published papers in reputed journals.

Pooja Jena is currently working as a Guest Faculty at KIIT School of Management. She has around 2 years of experience in the field of teaching, and her area of interest includes economics and psychology.

Gyanendra B. S. Johri is an experienced Professor at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, leading the Department of Tourism Management with over 17 years of teaching experience. Noteworthy accomplishments include advisory roles at the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council and completing a Strategic Management certificate from AOTS Japan. He serves as the Managing Editor of the International Journal of Economics and Managerial Thoughts and contributes to accreditation initiatives for institutions like AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA. Dr Johri has a rich research portfolio, with 11 international and 29 national papers, and authored ‘Global Economic Organizations’, as well as contributing to four books. Engaging in prestigious training programs, he's a resource person for conferences and workshops. His academic journey includes a PhD on Foreign Institutional Finance's role in Indian Economic Development, complemented by dual Master's degrees in Commerce and Business Administration from Banaras Hindu University, specialising in corporate finance and investment management.

Aurodeep Kamal is currently working as an Assistant Professor at Centre for Agri-Management in Utkal University. He did his FDP from IIM – Ahmedabad and has presented papers in many international conferences.

Krishna Koppa is a competent, diligent and result-oriented professional, offering exposure of 26 years (16 years in the corporate world and 10 years in academia) across sales and distribution management, traditional and digital marketing, strategic marketing, revenue management and customer experience management. Dr Krishna is adept at developing and managing network with reliable and valuable academicians, industry experts and other stakeholders to maximise reality-based learning among students and faculty. During his corporate career span spread across TATAs, Godrej, Whirlpool and Reliance, Krishna played a very pivotal role in developing marketing strategies while achieving revenue, profit and business growth objectives. Thanks to his proven ability to work accurately and quickly prioritise, coordinate and consolidate tasks, he is currently playing his role as Marketing Advisor for an e-commerce start-up.

Mahalakshmi is a highly accomplished professional with a strong academic background. She holds a PhD in Management and completed her engineering in Computer Science from Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum, with distinction. Her MBA from Bangalore University earned her three gold medals and state rank 1. With extensive experience as an Associate Project Manager in Management consultation and project management and working for projects in India and Canada, she brings practical industry insights to her role. Dr Mahalakshmi is also a certified professional in Marketing and Technology from IIM Madras and serves as a Subject Matter Expert for executive MBA programs in Manipal and upGrad. Her expertise is recognised through numerous best paper awards and her active participation in chairing conference sessions. Currently, Dr Mahalakshmi holds the position of Assistant Professor in the Marketing Department at CMS Business School, Jain deemed to be University.

Abhiraj Malia (Corresponding Author): Abhiraj Malia is currently working as a regular Research Scholar at KIIT School of Management and has 3 years of experience in the field of teaching. His area of interest includes finance and marketing. He has participated in many international conferences and has published articles in reputed journals.

Azizan Marzuki is a Tourism and Urban Planning Professor at the School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia. He was an Honorary Research Associate with the Faculty of English, Humanities, Law and Theology at Flinders University, Australia. Visiting Professor with the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality, Karakoram International University, Pakistan. He is the Academic Advisor of the Urban Planning Programme with POLIMAS and the International Islamic University of Malaysia (UIAM). He is a Tourism and Hospitality External Assessor with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UnisZa) and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). He is heavily involved in tourism studies, urban planning and social impact assessment. In addition, he has produced more than 200 publications in the form of international journals, conference proceedings, books and chapters in books and monographs.

Anitha Nallasivam is a Distinguished Professor and Programme Coordinator of the marketing area with a remarkable academic background including a BTech, MBA and a PhD She is also a NET-qualified professor, with 23 years of academic experience. She has authored over 45 research papers, and she has been a presenter at more than 50 national and international conferences, beyond her research endeavours, she has made significant strides in education by engaging MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) content and creating comprehensive study materials, enhancing the learning experiences of countless students. She has served as a valuable resource person for numerous Faculty Development Programs (FDPs). Furthermore, she has organised various workshops, fostering an environment of collaborative learning and professional growth.

Sandeep Paatlan is a highly experienced academic specialising in Tourism and Hospitality. He currently serves as the Training and Placement In-charge and Assistant Professor in the Department of Tourism and Hospitality at Chandigarh University. With a strong background in the field, he has made significant contributions to research, teaching and institutional development. Sandeep's academic qualifications include a UGC-NET qualification in Human Resource Management, a PGDM in Tourism from the Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management, an MBA in HR from Maharishi Dayanand University and a BSc in Tourism from ITFT, Chandigarh.

Mona Fairuz Ramli, a Distinguished Academic, currently serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Sustainable Tourism at the School of Housing and Building, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and holds the position of Senior Lecturer at Kolej Universiti Islam Perlis. Her attainment of a PhD in Marketing from Universiti Utara Malaysia underscores her unwavering commitment to academic excellence. Her impactful research has found a home in prestigious journals such as the Journal of Sylva Lestari, the Journal of Planning Malaysia, Ilmu Kelautan Indonesia and the Journal of Marine, significantly shaping the academic landscape. Her diverse areas of scholarly interest encompass branding, e-learning, consumer behaviour and sustainable tourism, reflecting a comprehensive and dynamic approach to academic inquiry. Dr Mona Fairuz's notable contributions extend beyond her roles, leaving an indelible mark on the realms of marketing and sustainable tourism.

Jayati Ranga is an accomplished Educator and Scholar with a strong background in business education and a dedication to professional development. With 9 years of experience in teaching business-related courses and training senior executives from various sectors, Jayati has made significant contributions to the field of business education. Currently working as an Assistant Professor at Amity University, Mohali in the Faculty of International Business since September 2023, Jayati has established herself as an expert in subjects like International Business, Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources Management.

Sandhya H is currently working as an Assistant Professor at Christ (Deemed University), Bangalore, and is pursuing a PhD from the School of Business and Management at Christ University, Bangalore. She has successfully completed her MPhil in Tourism and Master’s in Tourism Administration (MTA) from Christ University, Bangalore, India, securing first rank. She has one year of industry experience, having worked with one of the leading multinational tour operations companies, Kuoni SOTC, Bangalore, and over seven years of teaching experience in various colleges and institutions in Kerala. She has also worked as a Research Associate on the Major Research Project on Strategic Intervention of Destination Management Organisations – State of Karnataka. Her research interests include tourism marketing, destination management, smart tourism and destination branding.

Ipseeta Satpathy has over 22 years of experience in teaching, research and administration at KIIT University. She has authored six textbooks such as ‘Environment Management’, ‘Business Communication & Personality Development’ published by Excel Books, New Delhi, Transnational Marketing Strategy, published by New Age International Publishers, Organizational Communication published by Lap Lambert, Mauritius, and Empowering Award Staff by Revamping Training System in Banks, published by Lap Lambert, Germany.

Sejana Jose V. is a scholar currently pursuing her PhD in Tourism Management at Christ University, Bangalore, India. She has successfully completed her MPhil and Master’s in Tourism Administration at the same institution. Sejana serves as a Lecturer at Mount Carmel College, Autonomous, Bangalore, where she has accumulated 5 years of valuable teaching experience. Her professional journey also encompasses a year of industry experience in a tour operation company, providing her with a holistic perspective of the field. Sejana's research interests are multifaceted, focusing on areas such as green transportation, sustainable tourism, organisational behaviour, bioeconomy and tourism logistics. Her comprehensive knowledge and passion for these subjects underscore her commitment to making a significant impact in the tourism industry.

Rajeev Semwal is an Assistant Professor at Amity Institute of Travel and Tourism, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh. He has over 12 years of industry and academic experience. As a consultant at DueNorth Eco Venture Pvt, Mr Semwal created a marketing plan for the community-based tourism village in Saur village, Tehri district, Uttarakhand. He worked with Himalayan Travellers, Nature Connect Outdoors, Ace Travels, Nepal and Greenwood Hotels. He specialises in rural, community-based and adventure tourism product planning and marketing. He has delivered papers at national and international conferences and written in reputable journals. Education Research and Development Association (ERDA) lifetime member and ATTA community member.

Astha D. Sharma is currently working as a Professor at the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Maharashtra. Before this, she worked as Principal and Dean at one of the premier business schools in Andhra Pradesh. She has around 18 years of experience in teaching and research. She has authored more than seven books in management and many national and international research papers, including SCOPUS, Web of Science, EBSCO and UGC Care. She has also presented research papers at IIM Trichy, Kozhikode, Sambalpur and Nirma University. She reviews various national and international journals from Web of Science, Publons and JSTOR. She is also a Hyderabad Management Association member, former AIMS Treasurer and the Secretary of Rotary International. She has been recognised as a Strong Women Academician by Pearson and Hello Mumbai. She has received awards from the Honourable Governor of Telangana and Puducherry and MHRD for her contributions to the management field.

Kiran Shashwat holds a PhD and an MTS in Tourism Management and is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the University Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Chandigarh University. She has 14 years of expertise in the diverse fields of tourism, hospitality and education and is a passionate and creative academician and researcher. She is committed to lifelong learning and has attended numerous seminars, conferences, courses, educational expos and seminars. As a speaker and resource person, she has participated in over 15 academic and research events on a national and international scale. She has worked with 10 different state, national and international tourism organisations to educate the travel industry's professionals across the country. In addition to her work as a review member for the IJRAR Journal, she is also working as a BOS member in the creation of curriculum for courses at the undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate and MBA levels.

Brij Mohan Singh is a doctoral candidate at the Department of Tourism Management, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, India. He holds a Junior Research Fellowship. His academic background includes a Master's degree in Tourism and Travel from the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, and he completed his undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, India. Mr Singh has had his research published in esteemed journals listed in UGC CARE and subjected to peer review. He has also presented his research at various conferences and seminars, both at the national and international levels. His research interests encompass a diverse range of topics, including homestay experiences, entrepreneurship, tourists' satisfaction, community-based tourism and sustainable tourism.

Hitesh Tripathi is pursuing a doctorate at the Department of Tourism Management, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, India. He holds a Master's degree in Tourism and Travel obtained from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. His research findings have been published in reputable journals that undergo rigorous peer review and are indexed in the UGC CARE list. Additionally, he has shared his research insights at multiple international and national conferences and seminars. Mr Tripathi's research interests encompass a diverse range of subjects, including ecotourism, entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism.

Bindi Varghese holds a doctorate in Commerce with a specialisation in Tourism and boasts over 18 years of academic experience, complemented by 1 year in the tourism industry. Currently serving as an Associate Professor at Christ University, she also fulfils the role of Research Coordinator at the School of Business Studies and Social Sciences. With a notable career in South Indian educational institutions, Bindi has established herself as a national and international expert over the past decade. She actively contributes to organisations such as the Indian Tourism Congress (ITC) and the Kerala Development Society (KDS) in New Delhi. Her research interests span impact assessment studies, medical tourism, destination management organisation and ecological studies. Noteworthy achievements include a research project funded by Christ University on ‘Strategic Intervention of Destination Management Organizations to Enhance Competitiveness of Tourism Destinations A Model for Karnataka’ and serving as a Section Editor for ATNA – Journal of Tourism Studies.

Foreword

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis

I strongly encourage you to delve into ‘Sustainable Tourism: A Comprehensive Multidimensional Perspective’, a meticulously curated volume that distinguishes itself in the academic discourse surrounding responsible tourism. Edited by a team of esteemed scholars, this book explores the intricate dimensions of sustainability within the tourism industry often with the contribution of innovative technologies. Each chapter offers valuable insights into the myriad challenges and opportunities linked to sustainable tourism. Expert contributors conduct thorough analyses on a range of topics, such as the socio-economic effects on local communities and the environmental considerations of tourist destinations. With its technological perspective, this book becomes indispensable for individuals interested in comprehending and championing responsible tourism practices.

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis

International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research, Bournemouth University

Editor in Chief, Tourism Review

Preface

Sustainable tourism is at the forefront of discussions in the contemporary travel industry, demanding a delicate balance between progress and conservation. The book ‘Sustainable Tourism: Balancing Conservation and Progress in a Dynamic Industry’ delves into various facets of this critical intersection, presenting a comprehensive exploration of sustainable entrepreneurship, behavioural factors, homestay establishments, economics, digital technologies, smart tourism, internet's role in ecotourism, electric vehicles and more. The collection of chapters brings together diverse perspectives, insightful research and practical implications for industry professionals, policymakers, scholars and enthusiasts seeking to navigate the complex landscape of sustainable tourism.

Chapter 1: Does AI have an Effective Role in Applying Sustainable Entrepreneurship in the Tourism Industry?

The opening chapter by Bassam Samir AL-Romeedy and Shaymaa Abdul-Wahab El-Sisi examines the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in promoting sustainable entrepreneurship within the tourism sector. By analysing current literature, the study offers valuable insights into utilising AI as a tool for driving sustainable practices and innovation, emphasising responsible and ethical AI implementation.

Chapter 2: Unveiling the Entrepreneurial Mindset: Behavioural Factors and Green Intentions among University Tourism Students

Viana Hassan's chapter delves into the behavioural determinants influencing university-level tourism students in developing economies, particularly India. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the study sheds light on the role of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control in shaping entrepreneurial intentions, with a focus on environmentally sustainable practices.

Chapter 3: Homestay Establishments as a Strategic Business Tool for Sustainable Tourism Practices and Community Development

Authored by Brij Mohan Singh, Hitesh Tripathi Gyanendra and B. S. Johri, this chapter explores the significance of homestays in India as a tool for sustainable tourism, community development and cultural immersion. The research emphasises the positive impact of homestays on local communities and advocates for strategic development, supportive policies and awareness campaigns.

Chapter 4: Striking a Balance: Economics and Sustainability for a Prosperous Planet

Suravi Chatterjee, Anand Chatterjee and Disha Sharma analyse the role of sustainable development for a healthy future. This chapter explores the environmental impact of human activities, the relationship between economic growth and sustainability and initiatives taken by the Indian government to promote sustainable development.

Chapter 5: New Opportunities for Sustainable Development in the Tourism Sector with the Use of Disruptive Digital Technologies

This chapter investigates the impact of digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and big data, on the tourism and hospitality industries. It emphasises the importance of these technologies in achieving sustainability and enhancing customer engagement in the digital realm.

Chapter 6: Smart Tourism and Sustainable Bioeconomy: Designing a Resilient Future

Authored by Sejana Jose V, Sandhya H and Bindi Varghese, this chapter explores the synergy between smart tourism and sustainable bio-economy. It emphasises the role of energy-efficient technologies, green initiatives, investment strategies and agile leadership in creating a resilient and sustainable future for the tourism industry.

Chapter 7: From Pixels to Paradises: The Tourism Industry's Digital Evolution

This chapter, titled ‘From Pixels to Paradise: The Tourism Industry's Digital Evolution’, explores the transformative impact of digital technology on the tourism industry. Researchers examine how emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence and data analytics are reshaping the tourism landscape.

Chapter 8: Role of Internet in Sustainable Growth of Ecotourism

Authored by Kiran Shashwat, this chapter explores the evolving relationship between ecotourism and the internet. It examines how the internet can be leveraged to promote sustainable practices, facilitate eco-friendly choices and enhance the overall ecotourism experience while addressing potential concerns.

Chapter 9: Factors Affecting the Adoption of Electric Vehicles – Prospects and Challenges – With Special Reference to Maharashtra

Astha Sharma's chapter delves into the factors influencing the adoption of electric vehicles in India, with a focus on Maharashtra. The study evaluates various aspects impacting customer preferences and highlights the challenges and prospects associated with the adoption of electric vehicles in the context of sustainable transportation.

Chapter 10: Sustainable Tourism Practices: Evidence from Global Perspectives to Achieve Development through Economic and Environmental Balance

Pramendra Singh, Disha Sharma and Hamid Abdullah contribute a chapter that explores the intricate relationship between sustainable tourism practices and the pursuit of balanced economic and environmental development on a global scale. The study utilises a mixed-methods approach to investigate the impact of sustainable tourism initiatives on local economies, cultural preservation, community engagement and environmental conservation.

Chapter 11: Exploring Sustainable Tourism Practices for Fostering Meaningful Travel Experiences: A Global Perspective

Sandeep Paatlan and Jayati Ranga present a qualitative study exploring the connection between sustainable tourism practices and meaningful travel experiences. The chapter delves into the importance of certification programs, environmental impact, community engagement and responsible traveller behaviour, emphasising the role of collaboration among decision-makers, destination managers, tour operators and tourists.

Chapter 12: The Impact of Destination Social Responsibility on Sustainable Development in Coastal Marine Tourism Destinations

Mona Fairuz Ramli, Azizan Marzuki and Nurwati Badarulzaman focus on the intersection of Destination Social Responsibility (DSR) and sustainable development in coastal marine tourism destinations. The chapter utilises qualitative interviews, content analysis of policy documents and quantitative surveys to examine how DSR practices influence environmental conservation efforts, community engagement and visitor satisfaction levels.

Chapter 13: Enhancing Cultural Sensitivity and Safeguarding Heritage Sites

This chapter underscores the significance of cultural sensitivity in heritage site management. It emphasises the need for a respectful approach to maintaining cultural authenticity while ensuring a high-quality traveller experience. Cultural sensitivity is portrayed as a cornerstone in heritage site management, guiding the balance between conservation and providing a memorable visitor experience.

Chapter 14: Reflecting the Unseen World – The Relationship of Photographs in Shaping Tourist Perceptions and Destination Choices

The concluding chapter investigates the components of photographs that shape tourists' perceptions of destinations. Utilising a quantitative approach, the study identifies key components influencing tourists' perceptions and provides insights for photographers and destination marketers to strategically use these components to increase tourism to specific destinations.

Acknowledgements

Dr Disha Sharma: I would like to expresses heartfelt gratitude to my parents, Mr Sharad Sharma and Mrs Bina Sharma, and my husband Dr Ashish Singh, for their unwavering support, understanding and motivation throughout the journey of this book. I would like to dedicate this book to my Head Prof (Dr) Sumita Dave for her constant guidance and motivation.

Dr Hamid Abdullah: I dedicate this book to my late father Mr Ghulam Hussain, my mother Mrs Hasim Bibi, my brother Abdul Rahim and my guide Prof. Sunil K. Kabia who have been the force behind me in all my endeavours.

Dr Pramendra Singh: I would like to dedicate this book to my family for their unwavering support and motivation during the creation of this book. I would also like to thank my colleagues and friends for their guidance throughout the editing process.