Sustainable tourism index for urban destination tourism in the Global South: A case study of Thailand
Author Identifier
S. Mostafa Rasoolimanesh : https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7138-0280
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Title
Tourism and Easternisation
Publisher
Springer
School
School of Business and Law
RAS ID
82135
Abstract
Tourism plays a central role in Thailand’s economy, especially within its urban landscapes, but the rapid expansion of urban tourism presents significant challenges. From the lens of Easternisation and the broader context of the Asian Century, this study addresses the growing concerns of environmental degradation, sociocultural impacts, and governance issues linked to tourism. In response, we propose a Sustainable Tourism Index (STI) tailored for urban areas in Thailand, developed through the Delphi method. A panel of 25 experts reviewed 143 initial indicators across four rounds, ultimately validating 32 indicators covering economic, sociocultural, environmental, political, and technological dimensions. This framework offers a vital tool for assessing and improving sustainable tourism practices in Thailand’s urban regions, reflecting both Thailand’s strategic objectives and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As Asia continues to rise, the STI serves as a model for Easternisation in tourism, equipping policymakers with essential insights to foster sustainable tourism development in urban settings.
DOI
10.1007/978-981-96-4124-6_11
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Salee, A., & Rasoolimanesh, S. M. (2025). Sustainable tourism index for urban destination tourism in the Global South: A case study of Thailand. In S. M. Rasoolimanesh & A. Salee (Eds.), Tourism and Easternisation: Uniting Asian philosophy, global events, and geopolitical forces (pp. 173–193). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4124-6_11