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"Sustainability"
research Vol. 4, No. 1 (2026) • pp. 1-17

ESG uncertainty, economic growth, and tourism performance in the United States: A wavelet quantile mediation and moderation analysis

Abdul Qudus Adeniyi Abdul Azeez

The United States tourism sector faces growing exposure to sustainability-related uncertainty and shifting macroeconomic conditions. This study examines the direct effect of ESG uncertainty (ESGU) on tourist arrivals (TOR) and investigates whether economic growth (ECOG) moderates or mediates this relationship. Using quarterly data for 2002–2025, the analysis applies a wavelet quantile regression framework extended to mediation and moderation, allowing effects to vary across distributional states and short-, medium-, and long-term horizons. The direct effect of ESGU on TOR is nonlinear and horizon-specific: in the short term, ESGU reduces arrivals at the extreme lower quantile (τ = 0.01) but is associated with higher arrivals at the upper tail (τ = 0.95). In the medium term, a positive ESGU effect persists at upper quantiles (τ = 0.60–0.80). Economic growth does not significantly moderate the ESGU-tourism relationship at any quantile or horizon. As a mediator, ESGU affects economic growth positively only at the lower tail in the short term, but negatively at selected quantiles in the medium and long term. Since economic growth supports tourism at medium- and long-term upper and lower tails, the indirect effect of ESGU on tourism through growth is negative and significant in the medium and long term at distributional extremes, though absent in the short term. These findings point to the importance of horizon- and state-specific policy design for managing sustainability-related uncertainty in the U.S. tourism sector.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20613666
research Vol. 4, No. 1 (2026) • pp. 65-85

Smart destination applications in Türkiye and global examples: A comparative analysis

Hasene Nur Gök, Şule Aydın

This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of smart city/destination applications in Türkiye and around the world and to identify areas where smart destination management can be further developed in Türkiye. The research was designed using a multiple-case study approach within the framework of qualitative research. Document review was utilized as the data collection technique, and secondary sources such as academic studies, institutional reports, municipal websites, strategy documents, project descriptions, and digital destination applications were evaluated. The study’s sample was determined using purposive sampling; a total of ten cities were included in the analysis: Benidorm, Singapore, Helsinki, Amsterdam, and Valencia from around the world, and Konya, Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, and Mugla from Türkiye. The global cities were treated as the global reference group, while the Turkish cities were treated as the local analysis group. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis method that combined deductive and inductive approaches. As a result of the analysis, nine main themes were identified: smart governance and institutional capacity; smart transportation and mobility; digital services and local resident/visitor experience; data-driven management and digital infrastructure; smart tourism and cultural heritage management; environmental sustainability and resource management; accessibility, inclusivity, and visitor convenience; innovation ecosystem and experimental applications; and security, risk, and resilience management. The findings indicate that cities in Türkiye have advanced examples, particularly in transportation integration, mobile municipal services, digital payment systems, geographic information system (GIS)-based mapping, and tourist information applications. In contrast, it was determined that in cities around the world, data-driven decision support systems, digital twin applications, environmental sensor infrastructures, capacity management, living lab applications, institutional certification, and inclusive accessibility solutions have developed in a more comprehensive and measurable manner. In conclusion, the study highlights that smart destination applications in Türkiye should not remain limited to the level of digital service delivery but must be transformed into data-driven, sustainable, inclusive, measurable, and integrated destination management systems.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21759169
Research Papers Vol. 3, No. 2 (2025) • pp. 53-65

The role of service orientation in shaping tourism students' willingness to work within the sector

Selda Güven, Berna Mazlum, Esra Cesur, Seda Şahin, Merve Aycan

A shortage of qualified personnel in the tourism sector adversely affects service quality, a problem exacerbated by insufficient tourism-trained staff and the tendency of tourism graduates to leave the industry. This study aims to examine the relationship between service orientation and the intention to work in the tourism sector, as well as to identify potential differences based on demographic and educational characteristics. Data were collected from 470 tourism students through convenience sampling and analyzed using SPSS and AMOS statistical software. The findings indicate that the type of degree program significantly influences service orientation. Moreover, the intention to work in the tourism sector varies according to the type of university attended, voluntary department choice, prior awareness of job requirements, and the decision to pursue tourism education despite knowledge of employment conditions. The results reveal a statistically significant and positive relationship between service orientation and the intention to work in the tourism sector. These findings suggest that alignment between individual personality traits and career choice enhances employee effectiveness and contributes to service quality and sectoral sustainability.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18106632
Research Papers Vol. 3, No. 2 (2025) • pp. 67-85

Socio-cultural, economic and environmental impacts of tourism from the perspective of local people: A field study in the context of sustainability

Gökhan Onat, Ramazan YAĞCI, Hümeyra KASAR, Ömer ERTAN, Hamza YILMAZ

The purpose of this study is to examine the environmental, socio-cultural, and economic perceptions of the local population living in the provinces of Rize and Trabzon in the Eastern Black Sea Region regarding sustainable tourism development within the framework of stakeholder theory and to reveal whether these perceptions differ according to demographic variables. A quantitative research design was adopted in the study; data were obtained from 360 participants reached through convenience sampling via a questionnaire prepared using a 5-point Likert scale. The construct validity of the scale was tested using exploratory factor analysis, and its reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. In addition to descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used in the analysis of the data. The research findings show that the local community's perceptions of the economic effects of tourism are highly positive, while they exhibit a more cautious attitude regarding environmental and socio-cultural effects. Furthermore, it was determined that perceptions of economic sustainability significantly strengthened with increasing education level and income; age, marital status, and monthly income variables created significant differences in some sustainability dimensions. In contrast, no significant differences in perceptions were found based on gender, income from tourism, and place of residence variables. The research highlights the decisive role of local community perceptions in the success of sustainable tourism policies; it contributes to the development of region-specific governance and planning strategies aimed at strengthening local participation within the stakeholder theory framework.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18115780
Research Papers Vol. 2, No. 1 (2024) • pp. 25-33

The Future Role of Edible Insects: A Study on Perception and Acceptance among Chefs in Mersin Province

Yunus Doğan, Cevat Ercik, Akın Akpur

The aim of this study is to determine the approaches regarding the incorporation of edible insects into Turkish cuisine in the event of a potential food crisis. In this context, data were collected using a semi-structured survey technique. The participants of the study consist of 15 professional chefs operating in the province of Mersin. The obtained data were analyzed through content analysis using MAXQDA software. The researchers tabulated and explained the coding of participants' responses and the frequency analyses of the words used. According to the research results, it was determined that the prevailing opinion among the chefs is that edible insects would currently be negatively received by customers. However, in a scarcity situation, they could be integrated into Turkish cuisine through blending and fusion cooking techniques.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13982774
Theoretical paper Vol. 2, No. 1 (2024) • pp. 1-12

The role of leadership and emotional intelligence in destination management: A conceptual review

Seçkin Kodal

This study examines the importance of leaders' emotional intelligence skills in the tourism sector and their impact on both employee performance and destination management. Emotional intelligence refers to the ability of leaders to understand and manage their own emotions and the emotions of others and to behave accordingly. In the management of tourism destinations, high levels of emotional intelligence in leaders can have positive effects not only on employee motivation and job satisfaction, but also on the sustainability and competitiveness of the destination. This article discusses the relationship between emotional intelligence and leadership within a theoretical framework and discusses the applications of these two concepts in the tourism sector and especially in destination management. By analyzing the research in the literature, the effects of emotional intelligence on leadership and its benefits in the context of destination management are emphasized and practical suggestions are presented in this framework.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13284064
Theoretical paper Vol. 2, No. 1 (2024) • pp. 35-42

Environmental, social and economic dilemmas of outdoor recreation and tourism: A conceptual research

Ayten Özçelik, İlker Gül

Tourism activities encompass a wide range of experiences. Industrialized tourism in our country is clustered in specific locations with hotels, restaurants and entertainment areas and is planned in the same way as industrial areas. Facilities and regulations are part of tourism development. On the other hand, tourism also manifests itself in open spaces and nature. Camping activities, caravan tourism activities, nature walks can be counted among common recreational activities. Unlike established tourism activities, such outdoor recreational activities are relatively unregulated by the legislator and have a high degree of mobility. While they bring the economic effects of tourism to areas where there is no facility, they also bring environmental, social and managerial impacts. At this point, such open space recreations, which can be spread over large areas, provide economic benefits throughout the country, while also presenting environmental and social dilemmas as a problem. This conceptual discussion aims to draw on the existing literature and research to identify the problems associated with open space activities and to provide implications for policy makers and tourists.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14253819
Theoretical paper Vol. 2, No. 1 (2024) • pp. 13-23

The role of destination carrying capacity within the framework of flow theory

Yusuf Karakuş, Eren Erkılıç

This study addresses the critical relationship between tourist destination carrying capacity and flow theory. In this way, a framework has been drawn by focusing on its complex impact on sustainable destination management. Tourism carrying capacity, defined as the maximum number of tourists that a destination can accommodate without compromising environmental integrity, the well-being of local people or visitor satisfaction, is of central importance in ensuring long-term sustainability. At the same time, flow theory, which defines the state of commitment and satisfaction experienced by individuals, provides an important framework for improving the quality of tourist experiences. This article argues that balancing the carrying capacity of a destination with the principles of flow theory is vital for both environmental sustainability and high-quality visitor experiences. Although issues related to carrying capacity are frequently studied, providing a perspective within the framework of flow theory can provide a better understanding of the existing realities of destination management mechanisms. In this context, the originality of this study is that the literature is examined from a theoretical perspective and the problems related to carrying capacity management are explained from different perspectives. As a result of the theoretical findings, managerial and theoretical suggestions are presented.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13331419
Theoretical paper Vol. 1, No. 1 (2023) • pp. 25-32

The role of contingency theory for tourist destinations management

Eda Kaya, Muhammet Caner Kaya

Contingency theory, known for its ability to adapt to dynamic conditions in an environment, has increasingly come to the fore as an agent of change in the ever-changing environment of the tourism industry. This study looks at the application of contingency theory in the tourism industry, with a particular focus on crisis management, community engagement, technological integration and the promotion of sustainable practices. The potential of the theory to be effective in managing uncertainties and promoting resilience in tourism destinations is presented in its ability to provide perspective. Furthermore, the paper recommends the application of the studies presented to investigate the enduring effects of contingency-oriented strategies on the long-term viability of tourism destinations. This paper emphasizes the interaction between contingency theory and new paradigms such as ecotourism, sustainable development and heritage conservation. It also suggests using contingency theory as a framework for understanding visitor behavior to increase the resilience, sustainability, and resilience of tourism destinations that are dynamic and complex.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10251165