The aim of this book is to foster a reflection on the analysis of current realities and future opportunities for a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable tourism model, through contributions from scholars across various disciplines.

Scope

In today’s increasingly competitive landscape, driven by globalization, socio-economic systems must develop models of development based on the valorization of territorial resources. Competitiveness now relies on a territory’s ability to act as a driver of local development by diversifying economic initiatives, leveraging local potential, and fostering synergies rather than fragmentation. This approach ensures the conservation, maintenance, and sustainable exploitation of local heritage.

The territorial context is not merely the physical setting where entrepreneurial activities take place; it is an integral part of economic activity and can contribute to its success. Territorial identity is a key element to be leveraged, forming the basis for innovative offerings and providing a competitive advantage in the market. The combination of natural, anthropological, economic, social, and cultural elements defines a tourist area, collectively forming the stage where economic activities unfold, either enhancing or degrading the territory (Salazar, 2005). In this context, people and their territory are at the heart of the system, together representing both territorial identity and a unique expression of place.

Tourism represents a significant opportunity for territorial redevelopment and greater economic and employment prospects. It has considerable potential to contribute to various aspects of sustainability. For this reason, the United Nations has declared 2027 the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism.

Social, territorial, and economic cohesion thus form the paradigm on which to organize tourism models that effectively integrate identity, sustainability, and resilience, while adapting to new market requirements. Consequently, tourism assumes a pivotal role as an instrument for territorial awareness, protection, and enhancement.

The aim of this book is to foster a reflection on the analysis of current realities and future opportunities for a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable tourism model, through contributions from scholars across various disciplines.

Suggested topics include, but are not limited to:

1. Tourism, territory, and sustainable development;
2. Best practices in tourism;
3. Assessment of socio-economic and environmental sustainability;
4. Strategies and projects for tourism development;
5. Sustainable tourism vs. overtourism;
6. Eco-tourism and the circular economy;
7. Food, agriculture, and tourism;
8. SDGs and tourism;
9. Tourism and local communities;
10. Accessible and inclusive tourism

Submission Procedure

Interested authors should submit their proposals (max 500 words) explaining the main topic and the objectives of the chapter

by May 15, 2025.

The manuscript proposals (Word or PDF) must be sent to the following address: geographiesofanthropocene@gmail.com

• Acceptance/Rejection notification will be sent to the authors by May 31, 2025.
• After the acceptance notification, authors should submit full accepted chapters by October 30, 2025 formatting their manuscripts following the Editor’s guidelines.
• The manuscript word count must be between 4500 – 6000 words. This includes tables, illustrations, references, etc.
• All submissions will be reviewed in a double-blind manner.

Important dates

• May 15, 2025: Book Chapter Proposal deadline;
• May 31, 2025: Acceptance/Rejection Notification;
• July 31, 2025: Full Chapter Submission;
• September 30, 2025: Review notification;
• October 30, 2025: Final version chapter submission;
• December 2025: Final e-book version available.

Editors

• Grazia Calabrò (Department of Economics, University of Messina, Italy)
• Sonia Gambino (Department COSPECS; University of Messina, Italy)
• Olimpia State (Department of Tourism and Geography, Faculty of Business and Tourism, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania)

The book will be published as part of the Geographies of the Anthropocene book series.

References

Calabro, G., Vieri, S. (2014). The environmental certification of tourism: A tool to enhance the unicity of a territory. Calitatea, 15(S5), 44.

Cooke, P.; Parrilli, M.D.; Curbelo, J.L. (2012), Innovation, Global Change and Territorial Resilience; Edward Elgar Publishing: Cheltenham, UK, 2012.

Cucari, N., Wankowicz, E., & De Falco, S. E. (2019). Rural tourism and Albergo Diffuso: A case study for sustainable land-use planning. Land use policy, 82, 105-119.

De Rubertis, S. (2022). Turismo, crescita economica e sviluppo territoriale: una prospettiva geografica. Pàtron editore, Bologna.

Dell’Agnese, E. (2018). Bon voyage. Per una geografia critica del turismo , UTET università, Torino. Gambino, S. (2022). Sulla valorizzazione turistica dei piccoli borghi: Casalvecchio Siculo e le sue opportunità. Annali del turismo, 11, 85-92.

Meini, M., Ciliberti, D. (2024). Sustainable Attractiveness in the Italian Apennines. A Review and Advancement Proposal. In INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM: New Metropolitan Perspectives (pp. 424-433). Springer Nature Switzerland, Cham.

Pollice F., Rinaldi C., (2015), “Patrimonio archeologico, comunità locali e sviluppo territoriale nel bacino del Mediterraneo”, in Cusimano G. (Ed.), “Il turismo nelle/delle destinazioni”, Patron, Bologna, 137-150.

Ritchie, B., Crouch, I., (2003), The Competitive Destination: A Sustainable Tourism Perspective, CABI Publishing Series, Wallingford, UK.

Scheyvens, R., Biddulph, R. (2018). Inclusive tourism development. Tourism Geographies, 20(4), 589-609.

State O., Bulin D. (2016) Aspects of responsible tourism–a quantitative approach. Amfiteatru Economic Journal 18, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies [Place:] Bucharest 781-797.