Sustainable Tourism Practices: A Comprehensive Review of Environmental and Social Impact Mitigation Strategies

Authors

  • Kashif Lodhi Department of Management, Economics and Quantitative Methods Università degli Studi di Bergamo via dei Caniana 2, 24127 Bergamo (BG), Italy
  • Dr. Atif khan Assistant professor, Faculty of Education, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  • Gianfranco Rusconi Emeritus Professor of the University of Bergamo (Italy), Department of Management Visiting Professor of Etica d'impresa Department of Law
  • Sohail Ahmad (Corresponding Author) M.Phil. English Linguistics. SSE English School Education Department (SED), Govt. of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

This comprehensive review examines sustainable tourism practices with a focus on environmental and social impact mitigation strategies within the modern travel industry. The study adopts an interdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from environmental science, sociology, and tourism management to analyze the complex challenges facing sustainable tourism development. The research explores various dimensions of sustainability including green building design and energy efficiency initiatives in accommodation sectors, ecological footprint assessment covering carbon emissions and resource consumption patterns, wildlife tourism conservation efforts emphasizing ethical considerations and responsible viewing practices, and community-based tourism initiatives promoting local empowerment and cultural preservation. The analysis extends to policy frameworks for sustainable tourism governance, examining national and international cooperation standards, certification programs and quality standards that influence business practices and consumer trust, and stakeholder engagement strategies in multi-level governance systems. Key challenges identified include environmental impacts from over-tourism, balancing economic growth with social equity, industry-wide adoption barriers, and crisis management resilience. The review reveals opportunities through technological advancements, public awareness campaigns, and collaborative governance models. This synthesis demonstrates that sustainable tourism requires collective engagement and continuous improvement, positioning sustainability practices as essential tools for preserving natural environments, strengthening communities, and fostering harmony between tourism development and environmental conservation.

Keywords: Sustainable Tourism, Environmental Impact Mitigation, Community-Based Tourism, Wildlife Conservation, Certification Programs, Stakeholder Engagement, Responsible Tourism

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Published

2026-01-16

How to Cite

Kashif Lodhi, Dr. Atif khan, Gianfranco Rusconi, & Sohail Ahmad (Corresponding Author). (2026). Sustainable Tourism Practices: A Comprehensive Review of Environmental and Social Impact Mitigation Strategies. Sociology &Amp; Cultural Research Review, 5(01), 145–159. Retrieved from https://scrrjournal.com/index.php/14/article/view/568

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 01 (2026): Sociology & Cultural Research Review

Section

Articles