Competitiveness and sustainability of tourist destinations

Abstract

Research in recent years has shown that for a tourist destination to be competitive, it has to be sustainable in economic, environmental, and social terms. Currently, models that analyze the competitiveness of tourist destinations emphasize the importance of the last two aspects. This study aims to analyze the main models that have been developed for measuring sustainability in the tourism sector. The analysis of these models highlights a number of shortcomings which this study delves more deeply into. Additionally, initiatives that are being developed in both mature and emerging destinations in terms of sustainability for competitiveness are analyzed. Finally, this study concludes that the models have to be applicable to any tourist destination. The importance of intangible and social networks as potential promoters of sustainability and the need for integration of stakeholders and the public administration in planning sustainability are highlighted.