Transcending beyond sustainable tourism through a 'well-being' perspective: The 'BEST' sustainability framework for the new normal

Abstract

This chapter aims to redefine sustainable tourism by providing a sustainability framework the BEST (Beyond Sustainable Tourism) which highlights the evolution of sustainable tourism through the Covid-19 pandemic to the post-pandemic new normal. The BEST focuses on the shift in mindset that goes beyond the concept of 'sustainable tourism' and uses a model with two axes: The vertical axis is built on managing tourism demand and supply with an economic concern while simultaneously creating value through well-being concerns initiated by the pandemic. The horizontal axis looks at tourism development in terms of quantity and growth while considering quality of tourism as a requirement for transcending beyond sustainable tourism. The four quadrants of the sustainability framework distinguish between 'Overtourism' 'Green Tourism' 'Responsible Tourism' and 'Regenerative Tourism' each of which represents evolving phases of sustainable tourism based on changing tourism behaviour and new forms of tourism. The BEST is an analytical tool for understanding sustainable tourism in terms of changing tourism behaviour towards quality of tourism and well-being concerns. Further empirical research and tourism case studies could build upon this framework to explore perceptions of various tourism stakeholders regarding other forms of tourism behaviour that contribute to going 'beyond sustainable tourism'. © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.