Sustainable tourism paradigms across cultures: A continuum from Western to Eastern perspectives
Author Identifier
Songshan Huang: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4990-2788
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Journal of Sustainable Tourism
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
School
School of Business and Law
Funders
Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Endowed Professorship Fund / National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC 42071166)
Abstract
This special issue explores the cultural diversities in conceptualising and practising sustainable tourism in emerging destination societies. By examining both Western and Eastern paradigms through ontological, epistemological, and methodological lenses, this collection seeks to broaden the discourse on sustainable tourism. While Western frameworks have significantly shaped the field, an Eastern perspective—rooted in Confucianism and Taoism—offers complementary insights that emphasise the unity of nature and humanity, ethical thinking, self-cultivation, and humanistic approaches illustrated through concepts such as Guanxi and Mianzi. Rather than treating these paradigms as opposing forces, this special issue explores their potential synergies by placing them on a continuum—encouraging a more inclusive and context-sensitive approach to understanding sustainability. By encouraging dialogues between diverse cultural traditions, this study aspires to enrich sustainable tourism research and practice, offering valuable perspectives for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners navigating the complexities of global tourism development.
DOI
10.1080/09669582.2025.2508504
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Pang, Q., Wu, H., Xiao, H., Song, H., & Huang, S. (2025). Sustainable tourism paradigms across cultures: A continuum from Western to Eastern perspectives. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2025.2508504