Assessing the Sustainability of Tourism in EAEU Countries: An Analysis of the Travel and Tourism Development Index

Sustainable tourism development is important for balancing tourists’ needs, the global environment, and the local communities. It minimizes environmental impact, promotes conservation and biodiversity, ensures economic stability by creating long-term employment opportunities, supports local economies, improves residents’ lives through improved infrastructure and services, encourages cultural exchange and understanding, and promotes peace and mutual respect between different communities. The sustainable development of tourism is crucial for enhancing the competitiveness of destinations. This research aims to evaluate the sustainability of tourism in the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) by analyzing the Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI). The EAEU, comprising Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, has recently experienced notable growth in tourism, both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, questions regarding the sustainability of this growth remain. Applying the TTDI, this research explores multiple dimensions of tourism. The findings reveal the main gaps and problems of the sustainability dimension of TTDI. The research concludes with recommendations for enhancing the sustainability of tourism in EAEU countries, aiming to foster long-term benefits for the industry and local communities. The authors proposed several recommendations to enhance energy sustainability and efficiency, reduce environmental pollution, improve the preservation of natural resources, and strengthen the socioeconomic impact of tourism. These suggestions also aim to address the challenges of seasonal tourism arrivals and promote the management of tourism flows to ensure a more geographically balanced distribution of visitors.