Achieving Sustainable Transformation in Tourism and Hospitality Sectors

In the sector of global tourism, a critical challenge has taken center stage — the imperative for sustainable transformation. The World Tourism Organization has declared the theme for World Tourism Day 2025 as "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation," shedding light on the urgency to address multifaceted challenges that transcend conventional paradigms. The discourse has evolved beyond the traditional bounds of environmental sustainability, extending its reach to encompass social equality, cultural preservation, and economic viability. The tourism sector's pivotal role in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 underscores the intricate interplay between tourism and pressing global issues such as poverty, gender inequality, and environmental degradation. Against this backdrop of urgency and complexity, the book titled Achieving Sustainable Transformation in Tourism and Hospitality Sectors offers a comprehensive exploration into viable practices necessary for inclusive, equitable, and responsible tourism. This book serves as a vital contribution to the ongoing dialogue surrounding sustainable tourism. With a focus on inclusivity, equity, and responsibility, it delves into the intricate relationship between tourism and sustainable transformation. It goes beyond mere rhetoric, providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie at the intersection of tourism and global sustainability goals. As the global community grapples with disparities, this book becomes a timely and indispensable resource. Policymakers, academicians, researchers, and industry practitioners are invited to contribute to this collective effort, laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and responsible future within the realms of tourism and hospitality. With a diverse array of recommended topics spanning community-based tourism, ecotourism, inclusive development, sustainable employment, and aviation, this book positions itself as an essential guide for those committed to addressing the challenges of our time. By presenting case studies, policy research, and insights into responsible tourism practices, it equips readers with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of sustainable transformation. As the global community strives for a more equitable future, this book offers a roadmap for shaping responsible and inclusive growth within the tourism and hospitality sectors.

Pankaj Kumar, (Ph.D) is an Assistant Professor at Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Mizoram University (A Central University), Mizoram, India. He is an academician, researcher and consultant in the area of travel, tourism and hospitality management with over 8 years (Post Ph.D.) of teaching and research experience. Dr. Kumar has formerly worked with Amity University Noida, India, Himgiri ZEE University, Dehradun, India and Arba Minch University, Ethiopia, Africa. Dr. Pankaj kumar completed his 'Master of Arts in Tourism Management' from prestigious Indian university 'Banaras Hindu University' Varanasi, India. He pursued his Ph.D from 'Centre for Mountain Tourism & Hospitality Studies', HNB Garhwal University (A Central University), Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India. He has published over a dozen research papers in Journals, 8 book chapters and edited five books. His research expertise encompasses diverse areas of tourism and hospitality such as Sustainable Tourism, Ecotourism, Community-based Tourism, Heritage Tourism, Rural Tourism and Tourism Business.S. K. Gupta, (Ph.D) is a Professor in Tourism and Director at 'Centre for Mountain Tourism and Hospitality Studies' CMTHS, HNB Garhwal University (A Central University), Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India. He is committed in imparting knowledge through research and innovation in the field of Tourism and Hospitality since last 29 years. His expertise in areas of Pilgrimage Tourism planning, Travel Trade, Community based Tourism promotion and technological innovation in tourism and hospitality industry is widely acclaimed. Prof. Gupta has published Ten books both as author and editor, several research papers in national and international journals and edited books and has also developed study materials for distance learning programs for various universities and MOOCs. He has guided fourteen doctoral research scholars to his credit. He has participated in a number of national and international conferences in India and abroad and has organized several national and international conferences. He is the Editor in Chief of Journal of Tourism (JoT), an international journal and Associate Editor of, Ecoforum Journal and Revista de Turism- Studi si Cercetari in turism, International Journals, from Romania and member of Editorial Board of European Journal of Management Issues. He is reviewer of various Journal like Tourism Management and Geographia Technica. Prof. Gupta is also the Coordinator, European Union Erasmus+ programme for Inter-institutional collaboration between Dimitrie Cantemir University, Romania and HNBG University, India. He is the holding several administrative responsibilities along with his teaching and research responsibilities. He has successfully completed several research projects sponsored by Government agencies to deal regional and national issues of tourism development and promotion. Currently, he is also serving as a member of National Executive of Indian Tourism and Hos