Beyond growth: rethinking sustainable tourism through social, economic, and environmental dimensions

Abstract

The study explores the complex relationship between urban tourism and sustainable development, emphasizing the balance between economic growth, social equity, and environmental responsibility. The subject of this research is the evolving governance models for sustainable tourism in urban environments, where overtourism, short-term rentals, and changes in resident-tourist dynamics pose new challenges for policymakers. The objective of the study is to analyze theoretical approaches to sustainable tourism management, assess the social impacts of tourism expansion, and propose governance strategies that integrate tourism into broader urban planning frameworks while maintaining sustainability principles. The study identifies a paradigm shift from minimizing negative tourism impacts to actively maximizing positive contributions, such as infrastructure improvements, economic diversification, and cultural revitalization.