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Balancing Tourism Development and Sustainability: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach in Tofino over 15 Years

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  • Rachel Dodds

    (Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

Abstract

The narrow conceptualization of capitalism is increasingly challenged as destinations recognize the need to integrate equity and resilience into tourism development. Increasingly, destinations have been using tourism to move away from extractive industries and there is no shortage of literature outlining the need for a more inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach to ensure that sustainability is at the forefront of tourism development considerations. Whether destinations are actually moving towards the more sustainable development of tourism is not always evident and rarely are studies of destinations undertaken over time. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine qualitative research spanning 15 years using a multi-stakeholder approach to understand impacts, issues, and solutions relating to tourism development in Tofino, Canada. Tofino has achieved notable advancements in financial, natural, and social capital but continues to face gaps in addressing other dimensions of the Community Capitals Framework (CCF). Insights from this research to focus on social, human, and built capital earlier on in tourism planning and development may help other destinations who partially or fully depend on tourism for their livelihood. This paper addresses real-world tourism development challenges and encompasses multiple stakeholder views on sustainable development, socio-political responsibilities, governance, leadership, destination management, policies, and other practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Dodds, 2025. "Balancing Tourism Development and Sustainability: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach in Tofino over 15 Years," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:2:p:609-:d:1566992
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Isabel Gutierrez-Montes & Mary Emery & Edith Fernandez-Baca, 2009. "The Sustainable Livelihoods Approach and the Community Capitals Framework: The Importance of System-Level Approaches to Community Change Efforts," Community Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(2), pages 106-113, June.
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