Reflections on the theme issue outcomes: What smart and sustainable strategies could be used to reduce the impact of overtourism?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to summarise the main outcomes of the collection of studies in this theme issue and to offer some key reflections based on the experiences of the theme editors and contributors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting point, the selection of the contributors and material and the editorial process.

Findings

This paper provides insights and practical suggestions in response to the theme issue question from different academic and professional backgrounds, namely, the hotel industry, the events industry, the technology sector, non-governmental organisations, government sectors, and the local community.

Practical implications

The theme issue outcomes provide lines of enquiry for others to explore and reinforce the value of worldwide hospitality and tourism theme’s approach to collaborative working and writing.

Originality/value

The collaborative study reported in this theme issue offers a unified but contrarian response to the theme’s strategic question. Taken together, the papers provide a range of options for destination marketing organisations in response to the issues highlighted.

Citation

Gowreesunkar, V., Seraphin, H. and Teare, R. (2019), "Reflections on the theme issue outcomes: What smart and sustainable strategies could be used to reduce the impact of overtourism?", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 11 No. 5, pp. 634-640. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-07-2019-0046