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The current study is designed to investigate the factors that foster the framing of destination competitiveness and establish the factors that drive the contribution of tourism innovations to economic growth in smart tourism destinations.

A four-year panel data were extracted from the World Economic Forum's travel and tourism competitiveness index and data were analysed using Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood regression model.

The findings demonstrate that both the enabling environment and airport infrastructure significantly affect tourism's impact on the economy of the selected smart European tourism destinations. Conversely, human resources and general infrastructure display a negative correlation with tourism's contribution to the economy. However, no data in the sample support the idea that tourism policies, government prioritization or readiness of tourism information and communication technologies impact tourism's contribution to the economy. Additionally, the marginal effects indicate that improving the enabling environment and airport infrastructure can generate additional benefits for the economy through tourism.

The uniqueness of this study is the integration of smart tourism destinations with the measure of destination competitiveness to provide an empirical bridge that links tourism competitiveness to economic growth.

This study aims to find a dynamic model in an effort to optimize tourism performance in ecotourism destinations. The model structure is built based on competitive performance in geographic areas and the application of ecotourism elements that are integrated with big data innovation through artificial intelligence technology.

Data analysis is performed through dynamic system modeling. Simulations are carried out in three models: First, existing simulation models. Second, Scenario 1 is carried out by utilizing a causal loop through innovation of big data-based artificial intelligence technology to ecotourism elements. Third, Scenario 2 is carried out by utilizing a causal loop through big data-based artificial intelligence technology on aspects of ecotourism elements and destination competitiveness.

This study provides empirical insight into the competitiveness performance of destinations and the performance of implementing ecotourism elements if integrated with big data innovations that will be able to massively demonstrate the growth of sustainable tourism performance.

This study does not use a primary database, but uses secondary data from official sources that can be accessed by the public.

The paper includes implications for the development of intelligent technology based on big data and also requires policy innovation.

Sustainable tourism development.

This study finds the expansion of new theory competitiveness of ecotourism destinations.

Much has been speculated about the role that Generation Z will play in achieving more sustainable development. The tourism sector gains a special role in this discussion. On the one hand, tourism, due to its growing importance, has had a significant impact on environmental sustainability. On the other hand, Generation Z will be the largest group of travellers ever in the future. In this context, the objective of the present study is to explore the interest of young Portuguese generation Z in sustainable development goals (SDGs), tourism sustainability (TS) and their pro-environmental habits and how these categories influence the choice of sustainable tourism destination.

An online questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 305 young Portuguese. The quantitative analysis was performed with the application of the partial least square (PLS) model.

Overall, the authors found that despite our respondents showing an interest in the SDGs the same interest is not true for tourism. Although most respondents are concerned about choosing a sustainable destination, they do not care about keeping destinations sustainable, nor do they have pro-environmental habits.

This study presents the first evidence of the attitudes, beliefs and pro-environmental habits of Portuguese Gen Zers and their potential contribution to TS.

This paper aims to address the novel phenomenon of tourism in the metaverse and analyse possible scenarios that could influence the resilience of a sustainable tourism paradigm in response to this new phenomenon.

Based on Kuhn’s paradigmatic framework, this paper offers an innovative perspective for the integration of new theories and practise-relevant phenomena. It emphasises the relevance and commensurability of different paradigmatic dimensions and outlines the scenarios for the integration of metaversal sustainability.

The phenomenon of tourism in the metaverse of the 21st century poses a new challenge to the existing paradigm of sustainable tourism, which traditionally focuses on the economic and ecological sustainability of planet Earth’s physical environment. The adoption of a metaversal sustainability scenario for the virtual and mixed reality is key to a responsible implementation of the paradigm of sustainable tourism development that considers all its environments, whether fantastic or realistic.

This study has its limitations, as metaversal tourism is still in the experimental phase. A more comprehensive understanding of the metaverse and its terminology is still evolving. There is potential to adapt the sustainable tourism paradigm to new technological environments if the metaverse is recognized as one in the future.

There are practical implications for tourism policy and practise. Tourism stakeholders need to adapt to the changing tourism landscape by recognising the metaverse as a viable environment committed to sustainable development. This will enable innovative strategies to govern, lead, promote and manage metaversal tourism and ensure that it is in line with the long-term goal of sustainability.

The metaverse holds considerable potential for transforming social perception and behaviour. Integrating the metaverse into the sustainability pillars of the sustainable development paradigm implies a forward-looking approach that takes into account the dynamics of people’s evolving desires and preferences. This inclusion advocates for sustainable development in all environments in which people live and explore.

This research stands out for its pioneering role in advancing a sustainable tourism paradigm that goes beyond the traditional planetary dimensions. By examining the impact of tourism in the metaverse, it proposes a path towards a more holistic and future-oriented paradigm of sustainable tourism in both the physical and virtual worlds. The coining of the term “metaversal sustainability” contributes to the lexicon of paradigms for both tourism and societal sustainable development.

本文阐述了旅游在元宇宙中的新现象, 并分析了可能影响可持续旅游范式应对这一新现象的弹性的可能情景。

传统的可持续旅游范式侧重于地球物理环境的经济和生态可持续性, 而21世纪的旅游现象对现有的可持续旅游范式提出了新的挑战。采用虚拟和混合现实的元宇宙可持续性情景是负责任地实施可持续旅游发展范式的关键, 该范式考虑了所有环境, 无论是梦幻还是现实环境。

由于跨时空旅游还处于实验阶段, 本研究存在一定的局限性。对元宇宙及其术语的更全面的理解仍在不断发展。如果未来的元宇宙环境被视为一种新的技术环境, 那么就有可能发现新的创新的、意想不到的实际解决方案, 使可持续旅游模式适应新的技术环境。

这对旅游政策和实践具有实际启发。旅游利益相关者需要通过认识到元宇宙是一个致力于可持续发展的可行环境, 以适应不断变化的旅游景观。这将使治理、领导、促进和管理元宇宙旅游的创新战略成为可能, 并确保元宇宙旅游符合可持续发展的长期目标。

元宇宙在改变社会认知和行为方面具有相当大的潜力。将元宇宙纳入可持续发展范式的可持续性支柱意味着一种考虑到人们不断变化的欲望和偏好的动态的前瞻性方法。这种包容提倡在人们生活和探索的所有环境中实现可持续发展。

独创性：这项研究在推动超越传统地球维度的可持续旅游范式方面发挥了开创性的作用。通过探究旅游在虚拟世界中的影响, 它提出了一条在现实世界和虚拟世界中实现更全面和面向未来的可持续旅游范式的途径。“元宇宙可持续性”一词的创造有助于增加旅游业和社会可持续发展的范式词典。

Basado en el marco paradigmático de Kuhn, este artículo ofrece una perspectiva innovadora sobre la integración de nuevas teorías y fenómenos relevantes para la práctica. Se destaca la relevancia y conmensurabilidad de las diferentes dimensiones paradigmáticas y esboza escenarios para la integración de la sostenibilidad del metaverso. Esta conceptualización se presenta visualmente en una ilustración que combina entornos de sostenibilidad virtuales y físicos. La visualización se complementa con una imagen que muestra a un turista en el metaverso, creada con el generador de imágenes DALL-E OpenAI.

Este trabajo de perspectiva aborda el novedoso fenómeno del turismo en el metaverso y analiza posibles escenarios que podrían influir en la resiliencia de un paradigma de turismo sostenible en respuesta a este nuevo fenómeno.

El fenómeno del turismo en el metaverso del siglo XXI plantea un nuevo reto al paradigma existente del turismo sostenible, que tradicionalmente se centra en la sostenibilidad económica y ecológica del entorno físico del planeta Tierra. La adopción de un escenario de sostenibilidad metaversal para la realidad virtual y mixta es clave para una aplicación responsable del paradigma de desarrollo turístico sostenible que tenga en cuenta todos sus entornos, ya sean ficticios o realistas.

Este estudio presenta limitaciones dado que el turismo metaversal se encuentra todavía en fase experimental. Una comprensión más completa del metaverso y su terminología está aún en evolución. Existe potencial para descubrir nuevas soluciones prácticas innovadoras e imprevistas para adaptar el paradigma del turismo sostenible a los nuevos entornos tecnológicos, si es que el entorno del metaverso se considera como tal en el futuro.

Existen implicaciones prácticas para la política y la práctica del turismo. Los agentes del turismo deben adaptarse al cambiante panorama turístico reconociendo el metaverso como un entorno viable y comprometido con el desarrollo sostenible. Esto permitirá aplicar estrategias innovadoras para gobernar, liderar, promover y gestionar el turismo del metaverso, así como garantizar que esté en consonancia con el objetivo a largo plazo de la sostenibilidad.

El metaverso encierra un potencial considerable para transformar la percepción y el comportamiento social. La integración del metaverso en los pilares de sostenibilidad del paradigma del desarrollo sostenible implica un enfoque prospectivo que tenga en cuenta la dinámica de los deseos y preferencias cambiantes de las personas. Esta inclusión aboga por el desarrollo sostenible en todos los entornos en los que viven y exploran las personas.

Esta investigación destaca por su papel pionero en el avance de un paradigma de turismo sostenible que va más allá de las dimensiones planetarias tradicionales. Al examinar el impacto del turismo en el metaverso, se propone un camino hacia un paradigma de turismo sostenible más holístico y orientado al futuro, tanto en el mundo físico como en el virtual. La acuñación del término “sostenibilidad metaversal” contribuye al léxico del paradigma tanto del turismo como del desarrollo sostenible de la sociedad.

Scuba diving tourism is reputed to be a potential low-impact recreational activity that allow environmental conservation and socioeconomic benefits for local communities. Few studies have addressed the issue of sustainability of scuba diving tourism through the simultaneously investigation on the economic and socio-cultural aspects and its implications for tourism development. This study aims to examine the scuba diving tourism in three under-explored North African tourism destinations with high ecotourist potential. The authors present an exploratory picture of scuba diving tourist demand, divers' preferences, motivations for recreational diving experiences and their propensity towards conservation.

The authors developed a case study research strategy collecting profile data on 123 divers. Furthermore, regression analysis was performed to investigate the divers' preferences, motivations and propensity towards conservation.

The divers' limited number, the presence of mainly local seasonal tourists and a moderate propensity towards conservation influence the potential of the diving tourism segment to generate significant socioeconomic benefits for local sustainable development in these destinations. However, establishing a marine protected area (MPA) could foster the development of a long-term strategy for scuba diving tourism, improve conservation awareness and increase divers' satisfaction.

Diverse profiles, preferences and motivations can provide tools to sustainably manage and preserve coastal and marine biodiversity, while also maximising the quality of the recreational experience. One of the most effective site-based strategies to orient the diving sector towards sustainability involves the design and strengthening of MPAs.

The research provides an original contribution to the debate on sustainable tourism strategies by demonstrating how the study of economic and socio-cultural aspects of scuba diving could provide guidelines to orient the tourism development of marine and coastal areas towards the principles of sustainability (also through the establishment of MPAs). The findings present an overview of the sustainability of the scuba diving tourism segment by investigating the preferences, motivations and inclination towards conservation among tourists for whom the diving experience is not a core holiday activity.

This study aims to apply the appreciative inquiry approach (AI) to develop a tourism strategy for poverty alleviation in marginalised communities. The focus is to provide practical insights for leveraging tourism to drive positive socio-economic change for the impoverished, using Rosetta, a port city in Egypt with cultural and historical significance, as a case study.

This qualitative applied study uses the four-D phases of AI and thematic analysis to strategise tourism development in Rosetta. Through interviews, focus groups and field visits, the study identifies tourism potential, stakeholder aspirations and actionable strategies for sustainable development. The approach prioritises a bottom-up, community-centric and stakeholder-involved process, aiming for inclusive and equitable growth.

The study revealed Rosetta’s underutilised tourism potential, emphasising heritage tourism. Although tourism offers some economic benefits, its impact on alleviating poverty in Rosetta remains limited. A holistic strategy for tourism development in Rosetta is proposed for economic growth and poverty reduction, focusing on sustainable management, local empowerment, enhanced marketing, improved infrastructure and diversified tourism offerings.

While AI is not new in qualitative studies, the novelty of this study lies in its application to tourism planning for poverty alleviation in a marginalised community like Rosetta, introducing a comprehensive tourism strategy with an original framework applicable to comparable destinations. The study’s significance is emphasised by providing actionable strategies for policymakers, valuable insights for practitioners and enriching the discourse and methodology on pro-poor tourism for academics, representing a step towards filling the gap between theoretical concepts and practical strategies.

Over recent years, the multi-stakeholder role in sustainable ecotourism within Asia has emerged as a crucial narrative for sustainable ecotourism management across countries on the continent. This trend is perhaps due to the fact that ecotourism is one of the most rapidly growing sectors within the tourism industry. However, to date, no reviews have provided a comprehensive analysis related to the role of multi-stakeholders in the achievement of ecotourism sustainability, particularly in the Asian context. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by examining the current knowledge regarding multi-stakeholder involvement in sustainable ecotourism within Asia.

A systematic review procedure was followed. 320 articles were finalized, from which 34 related pieces of research were selected from the Scopus and Web of Science databases.

Three themes emerged from this paper. Recommendations were highlighted to enhance sustainable ecotourism. The study concluded that a more enabling research environment should be provided to improve discourse and encourage policy interventions.

No previous studies have explored the multi-stakeholder's role in achieving Asian sustainable ecotourism, indicating a critical gap to be fulfilled. This paper uniquely contributes to the field by providing a comprehensive review of the roles and challenges of multiple stakeholders in sustainable ecotourism across Asia and proposing innovative policy solutions tailored to the region's unique socio-economic and cultural context. Moreover, it puts forward potential solutions to bolster sustainable ecotourism within Asia, benefiting both stakeholders and the destination.

This paper discusses plausible future scenarios for small and medium tourism enterprises (SMTEs) in the “sun, sea and sand” destination of the Canary Islands (Spain) and assesses to what extent they are prepared to adjust to market changes and technological developments in the light of both sudden disruptions and long-term shocks.

A scenario analysis was made based upon expert interviews, leading to a 2 × 2 scenario matrix.

Although regional, national and European strategies advocate digital transformation as a step towards building resilience and towards a more sustainable future, this study identifies two major uncertainties that can put that transformation at risk: a change of the traditional “sun, sand and sea” visitor to a more conscious, individual and inquisitive traveller or “Promad”, and the business culture of SMTEs.

Resilience for sudden and for slow-paced disruptions poses different challenges for SMTEs. Their next step in the digital transformation must take them form marketing and sales-oriented e-business to growing interconnectivity and innovation across supply chains.

A market change towards the “Promad” type of traveller causes at least a temporary mismatch of demand and supply. As many SMTEs miss either the knowledge or the resources to invest in digital transformation, the process will depend on support and coordination at destination level.

The study identifies, with the example of the Canary Islands, the difficulties for destinations and individual businesses in making the envisioned transition of mass tourism to more competitive forms of tourism with a smaller ecological footprint.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the recovery and resilience tourism strategies and possible future development of four main Chinese tourism cities.

The authors collected data from the official accounts of tourism administrations of these cities, tourist attractions and opinions from media and newspapers in Sina Weibo platform. The authors adopted an inductive approach in observing relevant social media posts and applied content analysis to identify main China’s tourism prevention and recovery strategies.

During the mass pandemic infection period, top-down prevention and control measures were implemented by the Chinese central and local governments, with feasible and regional recovery policies and protocols being adapted according to local situations. Measures related to tourism industrial re-employment, improvement of international images and governmental financial supports to re-boost local tourism in Chinese cities were paid great attention. Digitalization, close-to-nature and cultural heritages became important factors in the future development of China’s tourism. Dark tourism, as a potential tourism recovery strategy, also obtained huge emergence, for the memory of people deceased in the pandemic and for the inheritance of national patriotism.

This study enriches the current literature in urban tourism recovery studies analyzing the specific case of Chinese tourism cities and fulfill some voids of previous research mostly focused on the first wave of the pandemic and the recovery strategies mainly of Western cities. It also provides valuable suggestions to tourism practitioners, destinations and urban cities in dealing with regional tourism recession and finding possible solutions for the scenario associated to the COVID-19 and other similar health crisis.

This study investigates the effect of COVID-19 pandemic perceived health risk on traveller's post-pandemic perception and future travel intention. The study aims to provide insight into the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and its potential influence on tourist behaviour.

Two hundred and forty-four responses were gathered quantitatively through an online survey. The research hypotheses were analysed using the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

This study found that COVID-19 affects tourists' travel behaviour. Key findings found that perceived health risk discourages travel attitudes and eventually lessens their future travel intentions. Results also suggest future strategies/directions for restarting the tourism industry.

The study outcome assists tourism stakeholders in understanding the changes in tourist behaviour amid the heightened perceived health risk of COVID-19. Tourism policymakers and industry players should consider exploring how to mitigate similar health crises in the future.

By extending the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this study establishes a theoretical framework in exploring the interrelationships between perceived risk, post-pandemic perception and future travel intention. This study sets a significant research agenda for future tourism research in understanding the mechanism behind health risk perceptions and tourist behaviour.