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Community-Led Sustainable Tourism in Rural Areas: Enhancing Wine Tourism Destination Competitiveness and Local Empowerment

Author

Listed:
  • Milena Turčinović

    (Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Singidunum University, 11000 Beograd, Serbia)

  • Aleksandra Vujko

    (Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Singidunum University, 11000 Beograd, Serbia)

  • Nemanja Stanišić

    (Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Singidunum University, 11000 Beograd, Serbia)

Abstract

Community-led sustainable tourism represents a paradigm shift that emphasizes the role of local residents in shaping tourism initiatives that not only promote environmental stewardship but also enhance local economies and preserve cultural heritage. The research focused on two rural wine destinations, Banoštor in Serbia and Radda in Chianti, Italy, utilizing a constructivist epistemological approach to understand community-led tourism. The study aimed to assess how community involvement enhances the competitiveness of rural destinations, evaluates the social, cultural, and economic empowerment of local communities, and examines the role of community participation in sustainable tourism development. The factor analysis identified three key factors—destination competitiveness, local empowerment, and community participation—that collectively account for 86.25% of the variance in sustainable community-led tourism. This model highlights how community-led initiatives can enhance the competitiveness of rural destinations by attracting eco-conscious travelers and ensuring that economic benefits remain within the community, thus preserving local culture and traditions. Furthermore, active community participation in tourism planning is crucial for sustainability, as it fosters a sense of ownership and aligns tourism development with local values, ultimately leading to long-term benefits for both the community and the destination. To enhance competitiveness, Banoštor must improve wine offerings, invest in marketing, and develop infrastructure while empowering local communities through tourism initiatives, ensuring that local voices are heard and tourism revenues benefit residents.

Suggested Citation

  • Milena Turčinović & Aleksandra Vujko & Nemanja Stanišić, 2025. "Community-Led Sustainable Tourism in Rural Areas: Enhancing Wine Tourism Destination Competitiveness and Local Empowerment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:7:p:2878-:d:1619317
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eduardo Sánchez-García & Javier Martínez-Falcó & Bartolomé Marco-Lajara & Leonardo Santoni & Javier Vidal-Olivares & Alejandro Gennari, 2025. "Exploring the economic, social, and environmental impact of wine tourism in the region of Mendoza," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 45(3), pages 1-18, September.
    2. Malwina Michalik-Śnieżek & Halina Lipińska & Ilona Woźniak-Kostecka & Agnieszka Komor & Agnieszka Kępkowicz & Kamila Adamczyk-Mucha & Ewelina Krukow & Agnieszka Duniewicz, 2025. "Cultural Ecosystem Services in Rural Areas: Assessing Demand and Supply for Ecologically Functional Areas (EFA)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-25, October.
    3. Miroslav Knežević & Aleksandra Vujko & Dušan Borovčanin, 2025. "Community-Centered Farm-Based Hospitality in Agriculture: Fostering Rural Tourism, Well-Being, and Sustainability," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-24, July.
    4. Aleksandra Vujko & Martina Arsić & Radmila Bojović, 2025. "From Local Product to Destination Identity: Leveraging Cave-Aged Cheese for Sustainable Rural Tourism Development," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-28, May.
    5. Drago Cvijanović & Darjan Karabašević & Aleksandra Vujko & Svetlana Vukotić & Gabrijela Popović & Vuk Mirčetić, 2025. "The Future Is Community-Led: Rethinking Rural Tourism Sustainability Through the Bregenzerwald Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-24, June.
    6. Aleksandra Vujko & Dušan Mandić & Aleksa Panić & Maja Obradović & Ana Obradović & Ilija Savić & Ivana Brdar, 2025. "Beyond the Guestroom: Financial and Promotional Dimensions of Eco-Friendly Rural Hospitality in Agricultural Landscapes," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-32, July.

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