The tourist industry, after a slow recovery following the pandemic events, is regaining positions in the ranking of the most profitable sectors worldwide. Indeed, considering its high environmental and social impact, the tourism sector cannot escape the challenge of sustainability, by embracing the circular economy approach. Currently, this challenge, although debated in the academic literature, is not yet sufficiently studied at the managerial level, so tourism enterprises do not have adequate tools to evaluate their circularity. This paper aims to provide an overview of existing circular economy frameworks in the tourism sector, both at academic literature and managerial level. The research is approached according to qualitative methodology, consisting of the literature review on the circular economy in the tourism sector, and the identification of best practices at international and Italian level. This study has a theoretical impact, providing a literature overview on the debated topic and the potential gaps to be filled, and a managerial impact, providing a set of guidelines deriving from the analysis of existing best practices.
Circular economy in the tourism sector: an overview of tourism enterprises and tourist behavior
Francesca Gennari;Francesca Rinaldi;Raffaella Cassano
2024-01-01
Abstract
The tourist industry, after a slow recovery following the pandemic events, is regaining positions in the ranking of the most profitable sectors worldwide. Indeed, considering its high environmental and social impact, the tourism sector cannot escape the challenge of sustainability, by embracing the circular economy approach. Currently, this challenge, although debated in the academic literature, is not yet sufficiently studied at the managerial level, so tourism enterprises do not have adequate tools to evaluate their circularity. This paper aims to provide an overview of existing circular economy frameworks in the tourism sector, both at academic literature and managerial level. The research is approached according to qualitative methodology, consisting of the literature review on the circular economy in the tourism sector, and the identification of best practices at international and Italian level. This study has a theoretical impact, providing a literature overview on the debated topic and the potential gaps to be filled, and a managerial impact, providing a set of guidelines deriving from the analysis of existing best practices.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.