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Measuring sustainability in tourism destinations

Adaptation of indicator sets to local conditions illustrated by the example of Windhoek, Namibia
  • Elena Eckert

    Elena Eckert arbeitet als wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin an der Leuphana Universität Lüneburg. Dort ist sie im Bereich Tourismusmanagement tätig und beschäftigt sich mit der Beurteilung von Nachhaltigkeit in der Reisebranche. Ihr Studium mit den Schwerpunkten Nachhaltigkeit und Destinationsmanagement absolvierte sie an der Hochschule Bremen.

    and Rainer Hartmann

    Prof. Dr. Rainer Hartmann lehrt und forscht an der Hochschule Bremen. Thematische Schwerpunkte sind das Marketing-Management von Tourismus und Freizeit, der nachhaltige Städte- und Kulturtourismus sowie der Tourismus in Afrika. Er übte verschiedene Tätigkeiten in Forschung und Lehre (Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg und International School of Management in Dortmund) so wie in der Unternehmensberatung (CIMA Beratung + Management GmbH) aus.

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Published/Copyright: November 20, 2020

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine how the sustainability assessment of a tourism destination can be carried out while taking local conditions into account. The fact that every destination has its own features is often disregarded and a general set of sustainability indicators is used to measure sustainability in all tourism destinations. The question is, if imposing a universal system on destinations with particular features will inevitably result in a superficial analysis that disregards the specific local circumstances. The focus of this paper therefore lies in discussing approaches, opportunities, risks and challenges for the addition of contextual features into the destination assessment process. The paper is based on a case study conducted in Windhoek, Namibia. Central findings are, that the extent to which the indicator set needs to be adapted depends on the purpose of the assessment and on the characteristics of the destination. Recommendations and a refinement of the assessment methodology for the evaluation of sustainability in destinations with different local conditions are provided.

About the authors

Elena Eckert

Elena Eckert arbeitet als wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin an der Leuphana Universität Lüneburg. Dort ist sie im Bereich Tourismusmanagement tätig und beschäftigt sich mit der Beurteilung von Nachhaltigkeit in der Reisebranche. Ihr Studium mit den Schwerpunkten Nachhaltigkeit und Destinationsmanagement absolvierte sie an der Hochschule Bremen.

Prof. Dr. Rainer Hartmann

Prof. Dr. Rainer Hartmann lehrt und forscht an der Hochschule Bremen. Thematische Schwerpunkte sind das Marketing-Management von Tourismus und Freizeit, der nachhaltige Städte- und Kulturtourismus sowie der Tourismus in Afrika. Er übte verschiedene Tätigkeiten in Forschung und Lehre (Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg und International School of Management in Dortmund) so wie in der Unternehmensberatung (CIMA Beratung + Management GmbH) aus.

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Published Online: 2020-11-20
Published in Print: 2020-11-25

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