IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/bstrat/v35y2026i3p4057-4082.html

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Factors for Sustainable Tourism Development: The Way Forward Toward Destination Resilience and Growth

Author

Listed:
  • Mark Anthony Camilleri

Abstract

Although environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance is increasingly gaining popularity in corporate and financial domains, its application in the tourism industry is still relatively underexplored. Hence, the objectives of this research are fivefold: (1) A systematic review appraises the extant literature on the intersection of the ESG dimensions and sustainable tourism; (2) It provides a synthesis of the content of the extracted articles and maps thematic intersections related to travel destinations' environmental stewardship, social equity and governance frameworks; (3) It assesses ESG‐aligned strategies that are intended to address the destinations' challenges including their carrying capacities and overtourism issues, climate risks, sociocultural tensions as well as institutional accountabilities; (4) It provides a holistic conceptual framework that guides policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders in integrating ESG into tourism planning and development, for sustainable and economically viable outcomes. In conclusion, (5) it advances theoretical and managerial implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Anthony Camilleri, 2026. "Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Factors for Sustainable Tourism Development: The Way Forward Toward Destination Resilience and Growth," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(3), pages 4057-4082, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:35:y:2026:i:3:p:4057-4082
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.70366
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70366
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/bse.70366?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ahmed Hassan Abdou & Thowayeb Hassan Hassan & Mohammed Moustafa El Dief, 2020. "A Description of Green Hotel Practices and Their Role in Achieving Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Chrysoula Matsali & Michalis Skordoulis & Aristidis Papagrigoriou & Petros Kalantonis, 2025. "ESG Scores as Indicators of Green Business Strategies and Their Impact on Financial Performance in Tourism Services: Evidence from Worldwide Listed Firms," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-22, May.
    3. Ubaldo Comite & Alba Maria Gallo & Francesco Albergo & Valentina Beretta, 2025. "Accounting for Climate Change: A Temporal Analysis of the Literature," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(7), pages 8213-8236, November.
    4. Toyo Amègnonna Marcel Dossou & Emmanuelle Ndomandji Kambaye & Festus Victor Bekun & Abalou Omar Eoulam, 2023. "Exploring the linkage between tourism, governance quality, and poverty reduction in Latin America," Tourism Economics, , vol. 29(1), pages 210-234, February.
    5. Oliver Mtapuri & Mark Anthony Camilleri & Anna Dłużewska, 2022. "Advancing community‐based tourism approaches for the sustainable development of destinations," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(3), pages 423-432, June.
    6. Ritika Mahajan & Satish Kumar & Weng Marc Lim & Monica Sareen, 2024. "The role of business and management in driving the sustainable development goals (SDGs): Current insights and future directions from a systematic review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 4493-4529, July.
    7. Jarkko Saarinen, 2021. "Is Being Responsible Sustainable in Tourism? Connections and Critical Differences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-14, June.
    8. Yeajin Joo & Hwayoon Seok & Yoonjae Nam, 2020. "The Moderating Effect of Social Media Use on Sustainable Rural Tourism: A Theory of Planned Behavior Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-14, May.
    9. Daniel Scott, 2021. "Sustainable Tourism and the Grand Challenge of Climate Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, February.
    10. Beata Hysa & Aneta Karasek & Iwona Zdonek, 2021. "Social Media Usage by Different Generations as a Tool for Sustainable Tourism Marketing in Society 5.0 Idea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-27, January.
    11. Grazia Chiara Elmo & Gabriella Arcese & Marco Valeri & Stefano Poponi & Francesco Pacchera, 2020. "Sustainability in Tourism as an Innovation Driver: An Analysis of Family Business Reality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-14, July.
    12. Roberta Sisto & Giulio Mario Cappelletti & Piervito Bianchi & Edgardo Sica, 2022. "Sustainable and accessible tourism in natural areas: a participatory approach," Current Issues in Tourism, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(8), pages 1307-1324, April.
    13. Asif Khan & Sughra Bibi & Lorenzo Ardito & Jiaying Lyu & Hizar Hayat & Anas Mahmud Arif, 2020. "Revisiting the Dynamics of Tourism, Economic Growth, and Environmental Pollutants in the Emerging Economies—Sustainable Tourism Policy Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-23, March.
    14. Mustafa Rehman Khan & Haseeb Ur Rehman Khan & Chen Kim Lim & Kian Lam Tan & Minhaz Farid Ahmed, 2021. "Sustainable Tourism Policy, Destination Management and Sustainable Tourism Development: A Moderated-Mediation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-22, November.
    15. Palazzo, Maria & Vollero, Agostino & Vitale, Pierluigi & Siano, Alfonso, 2021. "Urban and rural destinations on Instagram: Exploring the influencers’ role in #sustainabletourism," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    16. Huihui Wu & Ke Xu & Tao Hu & Biao He & Dengming Xie, 2024. "‘Instant Noodle Crisis’: understanding tourist and public sentiments towards collective tourist environmentally irresponsible behaviour in a tourist destination in China," Current Issues in Tourism, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(24), pages 4391-4409, December.
    17. Muhammad Ashraf Fauzi, 2025. "Sustainable tourism and sustainable development goals (SDGs): a state-of-the-art review of past, present, and future trends," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(2), pages 2841-2862, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Muhammad Ashraf Fauzi, 2025. "Sustainable tourism and sustainable development goals (SDGs): a state-of-the-art review of past, present, and future trends," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(2), pages 2841-2862, February.
    2. Chris Roberts & Joel Reynolds & Mary Jo Dolasinski, 2022. "Meta-Analysis of Tourism Sustainability Research: 2019–2021," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Muhammad Zada & Salman Khan & Shagufta Zada & Bablu Kumar Dhar & Ricardo Marcão, 2025. "Harnessing Social Media and NGO Collaboration for Advancing Sustainable Ecotourism Policy: A Pathway to Sustainable Tourism Development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(3), pages 4702-4717, June.
    4. Geng, Yuqing & Zhang, Xiaorui & Gao, Juan & Yan, Yan & Chen, Lingyan, 2024. "Bibliometric analysis of sustainable tourism using CiteSpace," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    5. Option Takunda Chiwaridzo & Reason Masengu, 2023. "The impact of social media branding and technology adoption on green tourism: the role of tourist behavior as a mediator in developing countries post-COVID-19—context of Zimbabwe," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-14, December.
    6. Pahrudin Pahrudin & Li-Wei Liu & Shao-Yu Li, 2022. "What Is the Role of Tourism Management and Marketing toward Sustainable Tourism? A Bibliometric Analysis Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, April.
    7. Sofia Gomes & João M. Lopes, 2023. "Insights for Pro-Sustainable Tourist Behavior: The Role of Sustainable Destination Information and Pro-Sustainable Tourist Habits," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-17, May.
    8. Option Takunda Chiwaridzo, 2024. "The extrication of complex dynamics and the impact of government policies on tourism supply chain behavior for sustainable tourism in Zimbabwe," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(4), pages 3021-3036, August.
    9. Alessia Acampora & Michele Preziosi & Maria Claudia Lucchetti & Roberto Merli, 2022. "The Role of Hotel Environmental Communication and Guests’ Environmental Concern in Determining Guests’ Behavioral Intentions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-23, September.
    10. Nuria Huete-Alcocer & Miguel Ángel Valero-Tévar, 2021. "Impact of Information Sources on Promoting Tourism in a Rural Region: The Case of the Roman Villa of Noheda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-23, July.
    11. Ricardo G. Jr. Gonzales, 2023. "Sustainability of accommodation business in Baler, Northern Philippines," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 10(3), pages 170-185, March.
    12. Rosiady Husaenie Sayuti, 2023. "Community Readiness in Implementing Sustainable Tourism on Small Islands: Evidence from Lombok, Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-20, June.
    13. Homeyra Khatami & Neda Abdolvand & Saeid Homayoun & Saeedeh Rajaei Harandi, 2025. "Sustainable Development and Corporate Profitability: Data Mining Approach," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 27(5), pages 1973-2000, October.
    14. Jiafeng Gu, 2021. "Spatial Dynamics between Firm Sales and Environmental Responsibility: The Mediating Role of Corporate Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-18, February.
    15. Mahmoud Alreahi & Zoltán Bujdosó & Lóránt Dénes Dávid & Balázs Gyenge, 2023. "Green Supply Chain Management in Hotel Industry: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-32, March.
    16. Izabela Jonek-Kowalska & Radosław Wolniak, 2022. "Sharing Economies’ Initiatives in Municipal Authorities’ Perspective: Research Evidence from Poland in the Context of Smart Cities’ Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-22, February.
    17. Ahmed Hassan Abdou & Majed Abdulaziz Al Abdulathim & Nadia Rebhi Hussni Hasan & Maha Hassan Ahmed Salah & Howayda Said Ahmed Mohamed Ali & Nancy J. Kamel, 2023. "From Green Inclusive Leadership to Green Organizational Citizenship: Exploring the Mediating Role of Green Work Engagement and Green Organizational Identification in the Hotel Industry Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-22, October.
    18. Marek Jóźwiak, 2025. "Managing Consumer Attention to Sustainability Cues in Tourism Advertising: Insights from Eye-Tracking Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-20, September.
    19. Carolina Aldao & Tanja A. Mihalic, 2020. "New Frontiers in Travel Motivation and Social Media: The Case of Longyearbyen, the High Arctic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-18, July.
    20. Mohammad Tipu Sultan & Farzana Sharmin & Alina Badulescu & Darie Gavrilut & Ke Xue, 2021. "Social Media-Based Content towards Image Formation: A New Approach to the Selection of Sustainable Destinations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-22, April.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:35:y:2026:i:3:p:4057-4082. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-0836 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.