Chapter 13: Strategies for Sustainable Tourist Destination Benchmarking: Insights and Frameworks

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to give comprehensive strategies for developing sustainable tourism destinations by incorporating case studies, conceptual frameworks, and existing research. By addressing the lack of holistic approaches in sustainable tourism practices, this study seeks to provide insightful information that can guide stakeholders, policymakers, and destination managers in effective decision-making and planning.

Methodology/study design/approach: A comprehensive literature review has been conducted for analyzing peer-reviewed journal papers, case studies, and conceptual frameworks relevant to sustainable tourism benchmarking. Peer-reviewed journal papers, case studies, and conceptual frameworks pertaining to sustainable tourism benchmarking have all been examined through a thorough assessment of the literature. In this study, numerous information on sustainable tourism and benchmarking strategies allows for a meticulous understanding of benchmarking and its relevancy to sustainable tourist destination development.

Findings: The study distinguishes essential strategies for benchmarking sustainable tourist destinations, which include stakeholder engagement, integration of the triple bottom line framework, choosing appropriate indicators, promotion of certification and standards, and encouraging collaborations among destinations. The case studies highlight, the significance of having a long-term commitment, governance, and stakeholder involvement while implementing sustainable tourism policies.

Value: This study presents a combination of existing literature and frameworks to evolve comprehensive strategies for benchmarking sustainable tourist destinations. By incorporating perceptions from various sources, this study gives valuable direction for practitioners and researchers seeking to advance sustainable tourism practices.