Establishing a benchmarking approach in tourism organizations and destinations

In our modern world, the intensity of economic activities dominates the linkages between the natural environment and the economic system. By nature, organizations and entrepreneurs strive to gain more and advance their position in terms of competitiveness, frequently, within volatile market conditions and uncertainty. In this generic situation, specific sectors have a crucial role. Tourism is a sector with a well-acknowledged potential, and its interaction with the natural environment has been discussed thoroughly in the process of tourism expansion and development. To this effort, environmental performance levels should be an issue of high importance to avoid degradation, depletion of resources, and low-quality rates. As a direct consequence, environmental benchmarking should remain at the top of the agenda to avoid market failure phenomena and negative externalities, underscoring the significant role each of us plays in sustainable tourism development. The aim of this study is to present a theoretical point of view at the interface of the tourism economy and environmental quality concerns. In parallel, this study discusses key determinants that affect sustainable tourism development and proposes its inclusion in relevant environmental management and marketing plans, promising a brighter future for the tourism industry and the environment.