Research Article
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Bigger and Complex Is Not Always Better. The Creation of Composite Sustainable Tourism Indicator to Compare Destination Development

Year 2022, , 188 - 205, 01.06.2022
https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.970292

Abstract

Destination managers need indicators for monitoring, comparing and decision-making purposes about sustainable tourism development. There have been several initiatives to set the sustainable tourism indicators, however, the indicators are either too complex, data collection is difficult, or the analysis requires expert statistical knowledge. Therefore, this article aims to propose a user-friendly method that allows destination managers and decision makers to process tourism data and integrate them into one composite indicator. To help destination managers in their work, this paper reviews the most used methods to create composite indicators, and with the help of the Delphi method among experienced tourism leaders, it proposes a tool that allows destination managers to compare sustainable tourism development of destinations. The results present the application of a simple composite sustainable tourism indicator on the example of eight destinations in Slovakia. The paper provides useful guidance in data collection, analysis and decision-making concerning sustainable tourism development.

Supporting Institution

Scientific Grant Agency VEGA

Project Number

VEGA 1/0237/20

Thanks

The research was supported by the research project VEGA 1/0237/20 Tourism 4.0: Smart and sustainable tourism development in a competitive environment

References

  • Agyeiwaah, E., McKercher, B., & Suntikul, W. (2017). Identifying core indicators of sustainable tourism: A path forward? Tourism Management Perspectives, 24, 26–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2017.07.005
  • Alfaro Navarro, J. L., Andrés Martínez, M. E., & Mondéjar Jiménez, J. A. (2020). An approach to measuring sustainable tourism at the local level in Europe. Current Issues in Tourism, 23(4), 423–437. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2019.1579174
  • Asmelash, A. G., & Kumar, S. (2019). Assessing progress of tourism sustainability: Developing and validating sustainability indicators. Tourism Management, 71, 67–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.09.020
  • Blancas, F. J., Lozano-Oyola, M., & González, M. (2015). A European Sustainable Tourism Labels proposal using a composite indicator. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 54, 39–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2015.05.001
  • Blancas, F. J., Lozano-Oyola, M., González, M., & Caballero, R. (2016). Sustainable tourism composite indicators: a dynamic evaluation to manage changes in sustainability. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 24(10), 1403–1424. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2015.1122014
  • Blancas, F. J., Lozano-Oyola, M., González, M., & Caballero, R. (2018). A dynamic sustainable tourism evaluation using multiple benchmarks. Journal of Cleaner Production, 174, 1190–1203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.10.295
  • Blancas, F. J., Lozano-Oyola, M., González, M., Guerrero, F. M., & Caballero, R. (2011). How to use sustainability indicators for tourism planning: The case of rural tourism in Andalusia (Spain). Science of the Total Environment, 412–413, 28–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.09.066
  • Butler, R. W. (1999). Sustainable tourism: A state-of-the-art review. Tourism Geographies, 1(1), 7–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616689908721291
  • Castellani, V., & Sala, S. (2010). Sustainable performance index for tourism policy development. Tourism Management, 31(6), 871–880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2009.10.001
  • Ceron, J. P., & Dubois, G. (2003). Tourism and sustainable development indicators: The gap between theoretical demands and practical achievements. Current Issues in Tourism, 6(1), 54–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500308667944
  • Choi, H. S. C., & Sirakaya, E. (2006). Sustainability indicators for managing community tourism. Tourism Management, 27(6), 1274–1289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2005.05.018
  • European Commission. (2016). European Tourism Indicators System for sustainable destination management. ETIS Toolkit for Sustainable Destination Management. Retrieved August 20, 2018, from https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/tourism/offer/sustainable/indicators_sk
  • Falatooni, E., Selen, W., & Kerr, D. (2016). A new framework for selecting composite indicators to assess sustainability of a destination. Athens Journal of Tourism, 3(1), 7–24. https://doi.org/10.30958/ajt.3-1-1
  • Fernández-Tabales, A., Foronda-Robles, C., Galindo-Pérez-de-Azpillaga, L., & García-López, A. (2017). Developing a system of territorial governance indicators for tourism destinations. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25(9), 1275–1305. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2016.1260136
  • Gúčik, M., & Marciš, M. (2018). Sustainable development of tourism: transition from global to local dimension. In T. Kliestik (Eds.), Proceedings of the 18th International Scientific Conference Globalization and Its Socio-Economic Consequences (pp. 2525-2531). University of Zilina, Slovakia. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://globalizacia.com/past-proceedings
  • Johnsen, J., Bieger, T., & Scherer, R. (2008). Indicator-based strategies for sustainable tourism development. Mountain Research and Development, 28(2), 116–121. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd.0973
  • Ko, T. G. (2005). Development of a tourism sustainability assessment procedure: A conceptual approach. Tourism Management, 26(3), 431–445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2003.12.003
  • Kožić, I., & Mikulić, J. (2014). Research note: Measuring tourism sustainability: An empirical comparison of different weighting procedures used in modelling composite indicators. Tourism Economics, 20(2), 429–437. https://doi.org/10.5367/te.2013.0283
  • Kristjánsdóttir, K. R., Ólafsdóttir, R., & Ragnarsdóttir, K. V. (2018). Reviewing integrated sustainability indicators for tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 26(4), 583–599. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2017.1364741
  • Kvasnová, D., Gajdošík, T., & Maráková, V. (2019). Are partnerships enhancing tourism destination competitiveness? Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 67(3), 811–821. https://doi.org/10.11118/actaun201967030811
  • Liu, Z. (2003). Sustainable tourism development: A critique. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 11(6), 459–475. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669580308667216
  • Lozano-Oyola, M., Blancas, F. J., González, M., & Caballero, R. (2012). Sustainable tourism indicators as planning tools in cultural destinations. Ecological Indicators, 18, 659–675. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.01.014
  • Mayer, A. L. (2008). Strengths and weaknesses of common sustainability indices for multidimensional systems. Environment International, 34(2), 277–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2007.09.004
  • Mikulić, J., Kožić, I., & Krešić, D. (2015). Weighting indicators of tourism sustainability: A critical note. Ecological Indicators, 48, 312–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.08.026
  • Miller, G., & Twining-Ward, L. (2005). Monitoring for a sustainable tourism transition: The challenge of developing and using indicators. Wallingford: CABI Publishing.
  • Mutana, S., & Mukwada, G. (2018). Mountain-route tourism and sustainability. A discourse analysis of literature and possible future research. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 24, 59–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2018.08.003
  • Nardo, M., Saisana, M., Saltelli, A., & Tarantola, A. (2005). Tools for Composite Indicators Building. EUR 21682 EN. 2005. JRC31473. Retrieved October 20, 2019 from https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/JRC31473/EUR%2021682%20EN.pdf
  • Niyazieva, S., & Zhechev, V. (2020). Could happiness be an assessment tool in sustainable tourism management? Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research, 8(2), 338–370. https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.749680
  • OECD. (2008). Handbook on Constructing Composite Indicators: Methodology and UserGuide. OECD. Paris.
  • Ocampo, L., Ebisa, J. A., Ombre, J., & Escoto, M. G. (2018). Sustainable ecotourism indicators with fuzzy Delphi method – A Philippine perspective. Ecological Indicators, 93, 874–888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.05.060
  • Önder, I., Wöber, K., & Zekan, B. (2017). Towards a sustainable urban tourism development in Europe. Tourism Economics, 23(2), 243–259. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354816616656247
  • Pérez, V., Guerrero, F., González, M., Pérez, F., & Caballero, R. (2013). Composite indicator for the assessment of sustainability: The case of Cuban nature-based tourism destinations. Ecological Indicators, 29, 316–324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.12.027
  • Pulido-Fernández, J. I., Andrades-Caldito, L., & Sánchez-Rivero, M. (2015). Is sustainable tourism an obstacle to the economic performance of the tourism industry? Evidence from an international empirical study. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 23(1), 47–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2014.909447
  • Pulido-Fernández, J. I., & Sánchez-Rivero, M. (2009). Measuring tourism sustainability: proposal for a composite index. Tourism Economics, 15(2), 277–296. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5367/000000009788254377
  • Saltelli, A. (2007). Composite indicators between analysis and advocacy. Social Indicators Research, 81(1), 65–77. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-006-0024-9
  • Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (2019). Sector statistics: Tourism. Retrieved September 15, 2019, from https://slovak.statistics.sk/
  • Tanguay, G. A., & Rajaonson, J. (2013). Selection and use of sustainable tourism indicators in the evaluation of projects and policies. Transfert, 1, 116–128.
  • Tej, J. (2008). Point method for the assessment of regional development – possibilities and practical application. Folia Geographica 12, 268–277.
  • Torres-Delgado, A., & López Palomeque, F. (2018). The ISOST index: A tool for studying sustainable tourism. Journal of Destination Marketing and Management, 8, 281–289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2017.05.005
  • Torres-Delgado, A., & Palomeque, F. L. (2014). Measuring sustainable tourism at the municipal level. Annals of Tourism Research, 49, 122–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2014.09.003
  • Torres-Delgado, A., & Saarinen, J. (2014). Using indicators to assess sustainable tourism development: a review. Tourism Geographies, 16(1), 31–47. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2013.867530
  • Tsaur, S. H., Lin, Y. C., & Lin, J. H. (2006). Evaluating ecotourism sustainability from the integrated perspective of resource, community and tourism. Tourism Managemnt, 27(4), 640–653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2005.02.006
  • Výrostová, E. (2010). Regionálna ekonomika a rozvoj. Bratislava: Wolters Kluwer (Iura Edition).
  • Wanner, A., Seier, G., & Pröbstl-Haider, U. (2020). Policies related to sustainable tourism – An assessment and comparison of European policies, frameworks and plans. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 29, 100275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2019.100275
  • Wheeller, B. (1993). Sustaining the ego. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 1(2), 121–129. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669589309450710
  • White, V., McCrum, G., Blackstock, K. L., & Scott, A. (2006). Indicators of Sustainability & Sustainable Tourism: Some Example Sets. The Macaulay Institute.
  • World Tourism Organization. (1996). What Tourism Managers need to know: A practical guide to the development and use of Indicators of Sustainable Tourism. https://doi.org/doi/abs/10.18111/9789284401505
  • World Tourism Organization. (2004). Indicators of sustainable development for tourism destinations: a guidebook. World Tourism Organization.
  • Ziaabadi, M., Malakootian, M., Zare Mehrjerdi, M. R., Jalaee, S. A., & Mehrabi Boshrabadi, H. (2017). How to use composite indicator and linear programming model for determine sustainable tourism. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40201-017-0271-5
Year 2022, , 188 - 205, 01.06.2022
https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.970292

Abstract

Project Number

VEGA 1/0237/20

References

  • Agyeiwaah, E., McKercher, B., & Suntikul, W. (2017). Identifying core indicators of sustainable tourism: A path forward? Tourism Management Perspectives, 24, 26–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2017.07.005
  • Alfaro Navarro, J. L., Andrés Martínez, M. E., & Mondéjar Jiménez, J. A. (2020). An approach to measuring sustainable tourism at the local level in Europe. Current Issues in Tourism, 23(4), 423–437. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2019.1579174
  • Asmelash, A. G., & Kumar, S. (2019). Assessing progress of tourism sustainability: Developing and validating sustainability indicators. Tourism Management, 71, 67–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.09.020
  • Blancas, F. J., Lozano-Oyola, M., & González, M. (2015). A European Sustainable Tourism Labels proposal using a composite indicator. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 54, 39–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2015.05.001
  • Blancas, F. J., Lozano-Oyola, M., González, M., & Caballero, R. (2016). Sustainable tourism composite indicators: a dynamic evaluation to manage changes in sustainability. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 24(10), 1403–1424. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2015.1122014
  • Blancas, F. J., Lozano-Oyola, M., González, M., & Caballero, R. (2018). A dynamic sustainable tourism evaluation using multiple benchmarks. Journal of Cleaner Production, 174, 1190–1203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.10.295
  • Blancas, F. J., Lozano-Oyola, M., González, M., Guerrero, F. M., & Caballero, R. (2011). How to use sustainability indicators for tourism planning: The case of rural tourism in Andalusia (Spain). Science of the Total Environment, 412–413, 28–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.09.066
  • Butler, R. W. (1999). Sustainable tourism: A state-of-the-art review. Tourism Geographies, 1(1), 7–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616689908721291
  • Castellani, V., & Sala, S. (2010). Sustainable performance index for tourism policy development. Tourism Management, 31(6), 871–880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2009.10.001
  • Ceron, J. P., & Dubois, G. (2003). Tourism and sustainable development indicators: The gap between theoretical demands and practical achievements. Current Issues in Tourism, 6(1), 54–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500308667944
  • Choi, H. S. C., & Sirakaya, E. (2006). Sustainability indicators for managing community tourism. Tourism Management, 27(6), 1274–1289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2005.05.018
  • European Commission. (2016). European Tourism Indicators System for sustainable destination management. ETIS Toolkit for Sustainable Destination Management. Retrieved August 20, 2018, from https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/tourism/offer/sustainable/indicators_sk
  • Falatooni, E., Selen, W., & Kerr, D. (2016). A new framework for selecting composite indicators to assess sustainability of a destination. Athens Journal of Tourism, 3(1), 7–24. https://doi.org/10.30958/ajt.3-1-1
  • Fernández-Tabales, A., Foronda-Robles, C., Galindo-Pérez-de-Azpillaga, L., & García-López, A. (2017). Developing a system of territorial governance indicators for tourism destinations. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25(9), 1275–1305. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2016.1260136
  • Gúčik, M., & Marciš, M. (2018). Sustainable development of tourism: transition from global to local dimension. In T. Kliestik (Eds.), Proceedings of the 18th International Scientific Conference Globalization and Its Socio-Economic Consequences (pp. 2525-2531). University of Zilina, Slovakia. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://globalizacia.com/past-proceedings
  • Johnsen, J., Bieger, T., & Scherer, R. (2008). Indicator-based strategies for sustainable tourism development. Mountain Research and Development, 28(2), 116–121. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd.0973
  • Ko, T. G. (2005). Development of a tourism sustainability assessment procedure: A conceptual approach. Tourism Management, 26(3), 431–445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2003.12.003
  • Kožić, I., & Mikulić, J. (2014). Research note: Measuring tourism sustainability: An empirical comparison of different weighting procedures used in modelling composite indicators. Tourism Economics, 20(2), 429–437. https://doi.org/10.5367/te.2013.0283
  • Kristjánsdóttir, K. R., Ólafsdóttir, R., & Ragnarsdóttir, K. V. (2018). Reviewing integrated sustainability indicators for tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 26(4), 583–599. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2017.1364741
  • Kvasnová, D., Gajdošík, T., & Maráková, V. (2019). Are partnerships enhancing tourism destination competitiveness? Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 67(3), 811–821. https://doi.org/10.11118/actaun201967030811
  • Liu, Z. (2003). Sustainable tourism development: A critique. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 11(6), 459–475. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669580308667216
  • Lozano-Oyola, M., Blancas, F. J., González, M., & Caballero, R. (2012). Sustainable tourism indicators as planning tools in cultural destinations. Ecological Indicators, 18, 659–675. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.01.014
  • Mayer, A. L. (2008). Strengths and weaknesses of common sustainability indices for multidimensional systems. Environment International, 34(2), 277–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2007.09.004
  • Mikulić, J., Kožić, I., & Krešić, D. (2015). Weighting indicators of tourism sustainability: A critical note. Ecological Indicators, 48, 312–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.08.026
  • Miller, G., & Twining-Ward, L. (2005). Monitoring for a sustainable tourism transition: The challenge of developing and using indicators. Wallingford: CABI Publishing.
  • Mutana, S., & Mukwada, G. (2018). Mountain-route tourism and sustainability. A discourse analysis of literature and possible future research. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 24, 59–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2018.08.003
  • Nardo, M., Saisana, M., Saltelli, A., & Tarantola, A. (2005). Tools for Composite Indicators Building. EUR 21682 EN. 2005. JRC31473. Retrieved October 20, 2019 from https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/JRC31473/EUR%2021682%20EN.pdf
  • Niyazieva, S., & Zhechev, V. (2020). Could happiness be an assessment tool in sustainable tourism management? Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research, 8(2), 338–370. https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.749680
  • OECD. (2008). Handbook on Constructing Composite Indicators: Methodology and UserGuide. OECD. Paris.
  • Ocampo, L., Ebisa, J. A., Ombre, J., & Escoto, M. G. (2018). Sustainable ecotourism indicators with fuzzy Delphi method – A Philippine perspective. Ecological Indicators, 93, 874–888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.05.060
  • Önder, I., Wöber, K., & Zekan, B. (2017). Towards a sustainable urban tourism development in Europe. Tourism Economics, 23(2), 243–259. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354816616656247
  • Pérez, V., Guerrero, F., González, M., Pérez, F., & Caballero, R. (2013). Composite indicator for the assessment of sustainability: The case of Cuban nature-based tourism destinations. Ecological Indicators, 29, 316–324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.12.027
  • Pulido-Fernández, J. I., Andrades-Caldito, L., & Sánchez-Rivero, M. (2015). Is sustainable tourism an obstacle to the economic performance of the tourism industry? Evidence from an international empirical study. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 23(1), 47–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2014.909447
  • Pulido-Fernández, J. I., & Sánchez-Rivero, M. (2009). Measuring tourism sustainability: proposal for a composite index. Tourism Economics, 15(2), 277–296. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5367/000000009788254377
  • Saltelli, A. (2007). Composite indicators between analysis and advocacy. Social Indicators Research, 81(1), 65–77. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-006-0024-9
  • Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (2019). Sector statistics: Tourism. Retrieved September 15, 2019, from https://slovak.statistics.sk/
  • Tanguay, G. A., & Rajaonson, J. (2013). Selection and use of sustainable tourism indicators in the evaluation of projects and policies. Transfert, 1, 116–128.
  • Tej, J. (2008). Point method for the assessment of regional development – possibilities and practical application. Folia Geographica 12, 268–277.
  • Torres-Delgado, A., & López Palomeque, F. (2018). The ISOST index: A tool for studying sustainable tourism. Journal of Destination Marketing and Management, 8, 281–289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2017.05.005
  • Torres-Delgado, A., & Palomeque, F. L. (2014). Measuring sustainable tourism at the municipal level. Annals of Tourism Research, 49, 122–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2014.09.003
  • Torres-Delgado, A., & Saarinen, J. (2014). Using indicators to assess sustainable tourism development: a review. Tourism Geographies, 16(1), 31–47. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2013.867530
  • Tsaur, S. H., Lin, Y. C., & Lin, J. H. (2006). Evaluating ecotourism sustainability from the integrated perspective of resource, community and tourism. Tourism Managemnt, 27(4), 640–653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2005.02.006
  • Výrostová, E. (2010). Regionálna ekonomika a rozvoj. Bratislava: Wolters Kluwer (Iura Edition).
  • Wanner, A., Seier, G., & Pröbstl-Haider, U. (2020). Policies related to sustainable tourism – An assessment and comparison of European policies, frameworks and plans. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 29, 100275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2019.100275
  • Wheeller, B. (1993). Sustaining the ego. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 1(2), 121–129. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669589309450710
  • White, V., McCrum, G., Blackstock, K. L., & Scott, A. (2006). Indicators of Sustainability & Sustainable Tourism: Some Example Sets. The Macaulay Institute.
  • World Tourism Organization. (1996). What Tourism Managers need to know: A practical guide to the development and use of Indicators of Sustainable Tourism. https://doi.org/doi/abs/10.18111/9789284401505
  • World Tourism Organization. (2004). Indicators of sustainable development for tourism destinations: a guidebook. World Tourism Organization.
  • Ziaabadi, M., Malakootian, M., Zare Mehrjerdi, M. R., Jalaee, S. A., & Mehrabi Boshrabadi, H. (2017). How to use composite indicator and linear programming model for determine sustainable tourism. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40201-017-0271-5
There are 49 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Tourism (Other)
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Matúš Marciš 0000-0002-4860-3105

Tomáš Gajdošík 0000-0002-2879-8005

Project Number VEGA 1/0237/20
Publication Date June 1, 2022
Submission Date July 12, 2021
Published in Issue Year 2022

Cite

APA Marciš, M., & Gajdošík, T. (2022). Bigger and Complex Is Not Always Better. The Creation of Composite Sustainable Tourism Indicator to Compare Destination Development. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), 10(2), 188-205. https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.970292


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