Pappalepore, I., Inkson, C. and Dolezal, C. 2025. Tourism Degrowth and Postgrowth Transitions for European Urban Destinations. in: Salvador, E. and Pappalepore, I. (ed.) Responsible Consumption and Production in the Cultural and Creative Industries: Actions, Policies, and Strategies for a Sustainable Future London Routledge.
| Chapter title | Tourism Degrowth and Postgrowth Transitions for European Urban Destinations. |
|---|---|
| Authors | Pappalepore, I., Inkson, C. and Dolezal, C. |
| Editors | Salvador, E. and Pappalepore, I. |
| Abstract | Increasingly, academics and activists are calling for transformational solutions and a fundamental paradigm shift in the tourism industry to address the climate emergency and the problems associated with overtourism. Degrowth and post-growth paradigms, including Doughnut Economics and Regenerative Tourism models, have been earmarked as valuable, alternative approaches. The aim of this chapter is to consider the extent to which degrowth or post-growth principles are incorporated into European destination strategies. We present three case studies of European urban destinations: Vienna, Edinburgh and Amsterdam. Our case study cities have started to introduce policy and strategy objectives that prioritise residents’ wellbeing and quality of life over economic growth. Vienna’s and Edinburgh’s tourism strategies monitor offshoots to social impacts, and aim to prioritise residents’ wellbeing, while Amsterdam applies Doughnut Economics and tourism degrowth paradigms more explicitly. Our findings highlight that while Raworth’s Doughnut model is useful in understanding emerging tourism strategy approaches, it also requires adaptation to recognise the potential social overshoot that exists in a tourism context, and to identify how the visitor economy can contribute to a destination’s prosperity and wellbeing. |
| Keywords | sustainability |
| tourism | |
| policy | |
| sustainable development goals | |
| tourism de-growth | |
| urban tourism | |
| Amsterdam | |
| Edinburgh | |
| Vienna | |
| Book title | Responsible Consumption and Production in the Cultural and Creative Industries: Actions, Policies, and Strategies for a Sustainable Future |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | Routledge |
| Publication dates | |
| Published | 20 Jun 2025 |
| Place of publication | London |
| Series | Routledge Research in the Creative and Cultural Industries |
| ISBN | 9781032665696 |
| Web address (URL) | https://www.routledge.com/Responsible-Consumption-and-Production-in-the-Creative-and-Cultural-Industries-Actions-Policies-and-Strategies-for-a-Sustainable-Future/Salvador-Pappalepore/p/book/9781032665696 |