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Despite indicators being regarded as ideal tools to help achieve sustainability in tourism, their application within Ireland remains under researched. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to advance the knowledge base in the hospitality and tourism field by presenting baseline research from the first application of all 43 of the indicators that make up the European tourism indicator system (ETIS) in county Clare, Ireland.

This study used the pre-existing visitor, enterprise and resident surveys that accompany the ETIS indicator system in a number of honey pot destinations within county Clare. This approach was complemented further through desk research to gather the necessary data on all 43 core indicators of the ETIS.

While the application of the ETIS in county Clare constitutes a significant advancement towards evidence informed planning for tourism. There does exist a number of information gaps relating to specific core indicators of the ETIS. Which, if not monitored and benchmarked over time, could have serious ramifications for the future sustainability of tourism in Ireland.

This paper not only discuss the findings from the application of all 43 core indicators of the ETIS in one specific destination but also develops new knowledge on the use of tourism indicators and the move towards evidence informed planning for tourism. Furthermore, this study contributes significantly to the theoretical development of our field, as the ETIS has not been applied in its entirety throughout Europe.

Events are a significant component of Ireland’s tourism offering. They are an important source of economic activity and an incremental driver of social change and development throughout the country. However, the visual and physical impacts often created by event activities to the environmental and social resource base upon which, events depend, have begun to draw attention to the way events are planned and managed. Although the concept of sustainability has become the topic of much discussion and debate in event management literature, there exist many gaps in relation to its practical application in event management planning in Ireland. This is despite the statutory obligation of local authorities in Ireland to license events and to facilitate the process of planning for large-scale outdoor public events in Ireland. Yet, with the continued expansion of Ireland’s event industry, there is a fundamental need for an evidence-informed approach to planning for event management. Through the application of the European tourism indicator system (ETIS), the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the national event industry in Ireland could be secured. This paper aims to examine and discuss the application of the ETIS as a possible tool to facilitate greater levels of sustainability and accountability within the events industry in Ireland.

This study used a quantitative content analysis approach involving a complete population sample of local authorities in the Republic of Ireland to determine the application of the ETIS within the legal process of planning for event management in Ireland.

While the findings have identified a basic provision for event management within a number of local authority legally required County Development Plans, none, however, were using the ETIS to monitor the impacts of events at the local level. This lack of data collection and benchmarking highlights the need for greater levels of sustainability and accountability within the legal process of planning for event management in Ireland.

This study suggests the ETIS as an easy, cost effective and viable solution to facilitate an evidence-informed approach to planning for event management at the local level. However, the lessons learned from this study may also have implications for destination planners and event managers outside of Ireland.

A synthetic indicator (SI) is developed to measure the sustainability of tourist destinations according to four proposed dimensions of sustainable development: social, economic, environmental and political. Its purpose is to determine the most appropriate indicators for each type of tourist destination, i.e. which variables should be considered in each territory according to its typology (environmental, social, economic and tourism). To test the usefulness and employability of the SI, it has been applied in the Algarve (Portugal). Three destinations were analysed in this region: Albufeira, Faro and Lagos, all three good examples of the well-known sun and beach tourism model.

The SI is the result of a system of indicators. To reach the final result, a multi-criteria calculation has been used in which the most important variables that fit the territorial reality analysed have been included, based on an exhaustive analysis of more than 2,000 indicators proposed by various scientific studies and international organisations such as the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The results of this analysis have been weighted according to the opinion of the population. A survey of more than 1,800 questionnaires was carried out in tourist destinations with high seasonality and dependence on tourism in the Algarve, Portugal. Finally, the SI has been aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The level of sustainability and the level of social concern regarding tourism activity were defined. In the Algarve, tourism is transforming the landscape and the local economy, and overcrowding is perceived as an economic activity that negatively affects sustainability. The concerns of the resident population about the impacts of tourism have served to identify priority strategies to improve the level of sustainability of the destinations. The three territories analysed present different problems and therefore require different strategies for action, mainly of a local public nature. The final result indicates the level of sustainability of the destination, which allows specific actions for improvement in the short, medium and long term to be generated.

The results made it possible to develop lines of action aimed at improving the sustainable management of each tourist destination analysed. Involving the local population allows the residents of the destination to be part of tourism policies, assuming a bottom-up strategy. This research provides answers to destinations seeking to implement sustainable tourism, offering tourism sector managers tools for correct decision-making.

This research presents a SI based on a system of indicators adjusted to the needs of the territory to be analysed, takes into account the opinion of the local population as a weighting factor and is in line with the 17 SDGs.

本文根据为可持续发展提出的四个方面：社会、经济、环境和政治, 开发了一个综合指标（SI）来衡量旅游目的地的可持续性。其目的是为每一类旅游目的地确定最合适的指标, 即根据每个地区的类型 (环境、社会、经济和旅游), 应考虑哪些变量。为了测试IS的有用性和可用性, 它被应用于阿尔加维 (葡萄牙) 。在这个地区, 有三个目的地。阿尔布费拉 (Albufeira)、法鲁 (Faro) 和拉各斯 (Lagos), 这三个地方都是著名的阳光和海滩旅游模式的例子。

SI 是一个指标体系的结果。为了得出最终结果, 我们采用了多标准计算, 在对各种科学研究和国际组织（如世贸组织）提出的两千多个指标进行详尽分析的基础上, 将符合所分析的领土现实的最重要变量纳入其中。这一分析的结果已经根据民众的意见进行了加权处理。在葡萄牙阿尔加维（Algarve）季节性强且依赖旅游业的旅游目的地进行了1800多份问卷调查。最后, SI与可持续发展目标保持一致。

本文定义了可持续发展水平和社会对旅游活动的关注程度。在阿尔加维, 旅游业正在改变景观和当地经济, 过度拥挤被认为是一种对可持续性产生负面影响的经济活动。居民对旅游业影响的关注有助于确定优先战略, 以提高目的地的可持续性水平。所分析的三个地区出现了不同的问题, 主要是地方公共属性方面的, 因此需要不同的行动策略。最终的结果表明了目的地的可持续发展水平, 并为短期、中期和长期的具体改进行动提供依据。

这些结果帮助我们制定行动方针, 以改善所分析的每个旅游目的地的可持续管理。让当地居民参与进来这一种自下而上的战略, 可以让目的地的居民成为旅游政策的一部分。这项研究为寻求实施可持续旅游的目的地提供了答案, 为旅游管理者提供了正确决策的工具。

这项研究提出了一个合成指标, 其基础是根据要分析的区域的需要而调整指标系统, 考虑到当地居民的意见作为加权因素, 并且与17项可持续发展目标一致。

Se desarrolla un indicador sintético (IS) para medir la sostenibilidad de los destinos turísticos según las cuatro dimensiones propuestas para el desarrollo sostenible: social, económica, medioambiental y política. Su objetivo es determinar los indicadores más adecuados para cada tipo de destino turístico, es decir, qué variables deben considerarse en cada territorio según su tipología (ambiental, social, económica y turística). Para comprobar la utilidad y empleabilidad del IS, se ha aplicado en el Algarve (Portugal). En esta región se analizaron tres destinos: Albufeira, Faro y Lagos, los tres buenos ejemplos del conocido modelo de turismo de sol y playa.

El IS es el resultado de un sistema de indicadores. Para llegar al resultado final se ha utilizado un cálculo multicriterio en el que se han incluido las variables más importantes que se ajustan a la realidad territorial analizada, a partir de un análisis exhaustivo de más de dos mil indicadores propuestos por diversos estudios científicos y organismos internacionales como la OMC. Los resultados de este análisis se han ponderado según la opinión de la población. Se ha realizado una encuesta de más de 1.800 cuestionarios en destinos turísticos con alta estacionalidad y dependencia del turismo en el Algarve – Portugal. Por último, el IS se ha alineado con los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible.

Se definió el nivel de sostenibilidad y el nivel de preocupación social respecto a la actividad turística. En el Algarve, el turismo está transformando el paisaje y la economía local, y la masificación se percibe como una actividad económica que afecta negativamente a la sostenibilidad. La preocupación de la población residente por los impactos del turismo ha servido para identificar las estrategias prioritarias para mejorar el nivel de sostenibilidad de los destinos. Los tres territorios analizados presentan problemas diferentes y, por tanto, requieren estrategias de actuación distintas, principalmente de carácter público local. El resultado final indica el nivel de sostenibilidad del destino, lo que permite generar acciones específicas de mejora a corto, medio y largo plazo.

Los resultados permitieron desarrollar líneas de actuación dirigidas a mejorar la gestión sostenible de cada destino turístico analizado. Involucrar a la población local permite que los residentes del destino formen parte de las políticas turísticas, asumiendo una estrategia ascendente. Esta investigación aporta respuestas a los destinos que buscan implementar un turismo sostenible, ofreciendo a los gestores del sector turístico herramientas para una correcta toma de decisiones.

sta investigación presenta un indicador sintético basado en un sistema de indicadores ajustado a las necesidades del territorio a analizar, tiene en cuenta la opinión de la población local como factor de ponderación y se ajusta a los 17 ODS.

The purpose of this study is to provide a series of indicators to determine the limits to urban tourism growth, tourism gentrification and overtourism. The study addresses overtourism within the frame of urban liveability through a proxy analysis of tourism-relevant indicators for major European tourist cities.

Based on the various indicators, a composite overtourism indicator is derived. The following dimensions are considered for the composite indicator: total number of overnight stays per relevant tourist area in km²; number of museum visitors per population; average annual change in total nights between 2009 and 2017; and foreign nights per population.

Based on the results, Venice is the city with the highest degree of overtourism, followed by Florence, Seville and Lisbon. The remaining cities have a lower than average overtourism potential as indicated by the negative z-score.

This study and the composite overtourism indicators are only a starting point that can lead to further research in the field. Recommendations for further studies include the assessment of visitor flow and overtourism at different times of the year and to expand the study to other European urban destinations.

The paper suggests that policymakers should use these indicators when managing urban tourism development and monitoring visitor growth. Furthermore, they can be a starting point from which to assess the impact of tourism on the quality of life of local residents.

This study provides a starting point from which to assess the causes for social unrest tied to overtourism. If the city under study is found to have a lower than average overtourism potential, this indicates that there may be other social or psychological issues at play apart from sheer overcrowding.

To date, there has been no composite indicator that considered the different numerical aspects of overtourism altogether. This study provides a set of key indicators and a composite overtourism indicator to provide a preliminary appraisal of overtourism as a demand-side phenomenon with evidence from a range of established European urban destinations.

The global energy transition is a process without historical experience that affects all participants in the technological chain of energy management, citizens and business entities. This increasingly dynamic process is aimed at decarbonisation of the entire economy, social stability and human well-being. We are witnessing the rapid development of more energy-efficient technologies, clean energy sources and stricter rules regarding the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The data clearly show changes in the Earth’s climate system. Their consequences represent the most urgent threat to the longevity of tourism, which is one of the five most threatened economic sectors. At the same time, tourism continues to have a significant contribution to climate change due to growing GHG emissions, primarily from transport and accommodation facilities.

This chapter seeks to provide an overview of the drivers of GHG emissions and societal responses aimed at addressing tourism-related carbon emissions. It also offers an overview of climate and energy public policies and possible solutions towards a net-zero carbon future for the tourism industry. The purpose of this review is to empower tourism practitioners with current knowledge funded in global and European decarbonisation strategies and encourage them to reflect and create a new and more effective solution.

The evolution of tourism must be framed into policies that aim a development model perspective for the destinations, based on the analysis of economic, political, and social indicators. Therefore, emerging destinations, located in territories with low population density, should be a target of a careful strategy policy, considering the characteristics of the region. In particular, the disaster caused by the pandemic context (i.e., COVID-19) implied profound changes in tourism thinking, planning, and development of regions in Portugal and throughout the world. The present chapter proposes the creation of a tourism monitoring system for Arouca (Portugal), a territory classified as Low-Density Territory, with specific characteristics. The monitoring will involve the planning and management of database, at the disposal of all stakeholders, ensuring that the tourism flows in analysis do not get overwhelmed, allowing the discussion of opportunities and threats for the territory, based on the partnership between the population, public and private sector, adjusted to the social, cultural, economic, and environment perception. Will also be considered the perspective of the local community from Arouca's region, the main actors from the territory such as Geopark Association of Arouca and the City Council, according to the surveys used as data basis of this study, along with statistics analysis.

The development of the tourism industry is closely linked to its sustainability. The need to reconcile economic growth and sustainable development is imperative and cannot be delayed.

Long-term sustainability requires a balance between three different dimensions: economic, socio-cultural and environmental sustainability. The competitiveness and sustainability of the tourism industry is, in turn, extensively dependent on the proper and efficient functioning of the transport system. There is no tourism without travel and transport or mobility. The tourism industry benefits when public transport is widely used by tourists.

The need of a well-functioning sustainable transport system rises in the maritime transport sector before the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment (1972) that for the first time has paid attention on the durable long-term preservation of the ecological balance, taking account of the interests of future generations. In fact, at international level, the Civil Liability Convention was adopted in 1969 to ensure an adequate compensation for oil pollution damage (including loss profit of the seaside tourism), resulting from maritime casualties involving oil carriers.

The European Commission works on a number of legislative initiatives in this area for a long time, before the Single European Act of 1986 recognised the European Community competence in the field of environment. In the same year, the ‘official’ definition of sustainable development was developed for the first time in the Brundtland Report in 1987. According to this definition, sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In spite of the quick evolution in this field, the Brundtland definition remains still valid, but it has been supplemented by an integration with the aim to make it less anthropocentric and more ecocentric. According to the Lisbon Treaty, in force today, one of the main objectives of EU is to operate and co-operate to ensure sustainable development in Europe, maintaining a high level of environment protection. This Treaty considers sustainable development, regarded as economic prosperity, security and social justice, an objective pursued both in Europe and in external relations with third States. It demands that environmental protection requirements are integrated into the definition and implementation of the community policies and activities, with a view to promoting sustainable development. Therefore, one of the fundamental objectives of the EU is to promote sustainable tourism development in Europe.

Tourism sustainability is a challenge for 21st-century destinations – this paper aims to analyse smart destinations' sustainability through a case study of Benidorm, the first world destination to be certified under the UNE 178501 standard as smart tourism destination (STD).

The methodological component has been divided into developing a framework for measuring sustainability through economic, social and environmental open data. Moreover, studying the plan's contribution “Benidorm, Destino Turístico Inteligente y Sostenible” to the city's sustainability through a time series analysis.

The main contribution shows that Benidorm's transformation into an STD leads to more sustainable cities. Thus, the conversion of Benidorm into an STD has a sustained effect in the medium and long term, contributing to the sustainability of the city.

An open question as a limitation is the subjectivity of the distribution of the relative weight of each indicator. However, statistical analyses are developed to explore the relationship between indicators and global sustainability.

The debate to contextualise this paper is bridging the gap between sustainability and tourism intelligence, giving an original framework for measuring destination sustainability that provides a reasonable starting point for comparing tourism sustainability in different destinations.

Tourists in the 21st century prefer environmentally friendly tourism. Marketing campaigns based on destination sustainability must be based on data rather than mere slogans.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the originality of this paper provides a flexible framework for measuring sustainability from open data sources, being one of the first empirical analyses to study the effects on the sustainability of converting a mature destination into an STD.