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Life Cycle-Based Sustainability and Circularity Indicators for the Tourism Industry: A Literature Review

Author

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  • Ioannis Arzoumanidis

    (Department of Economic Studies, University “G. d’Annunzio”, 65127 Pescara, Italy)

  • Anna M. Walker

    (Department of Economic Studies, University “G. d’Annunzio”, 65127 Pescara, Italy)

  • Luigia Petti

    (Department of Economic Studies, University “G. d’Annunzio”, 65127 Pescara, Italy)

  • Andrea Raggi

    (Department of Economic Studies, University “G. d’Annunzio”, 65127 Pescara, Italy)

Abstract

The tourism industry is one of the fastest growing sectors, even though in the last couple of years there has been a negative effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth has led to an increase in environmental, economic and social impacts. Furthermore, the transition towards a circular economy has become one of the priorities of the European Union given its orientation towards sustainable development. However, the concept of circular tourism has been poorly analysed until now. This paper aims at identifying a set of life cycle-based sustainability- and circularity-related indicators for the hospitality sector by means of a literature review and a content analysis. It presents an overview of the most relevant themes and indicators in the tourism sector, showing that carbon footprint and resource-related indicators are especially relevant. Given the complexity of the measurement of circularity and the fact that life cycle-based indicators have started to be considered in this field, the paper also proposes some criteria for indicator selection to make their application more feasible for hospitality actors.

Suggested Citation

  • Ioannis Arzoumanidis & Anna M. Walker & Luigia Petti & Andrea Raggi, 2021. "Life Cycle-Based Sustainability and Circularity Indicators for the Tourism Industry: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-11, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:21:p:11853-:d:665558
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Millar, Neal & McLaughlin, Eoin & Börger, Tobias, 2019. "The Circular Economy: Swings and Roundabouts?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 11-19.
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    1. Ioannis Arzoumanidis & Manuela D’Eusanio, 2023. "Tourism Sector: The Supply Chain Social Footprint of an Italian Accommodation Facility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-12, June.
    2. Kan Li & Giulia Cipolletta & Corinne Andreola & Anna Laura Eusebi & Barbara Kulaga & Silvio Cardinali & Francesco Fatone, 2024. "Circular economy and sustainability in the tourism industry: critical analysis of integrated solutions and good practices in European and Chinese case studies," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(7), pages 16461-16482, July.

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