The role of tourism in boosting circular transition: a measurement system based on a participatory approach

Abstract

The growing interest in the circular economy poses a pivotal challenge for the tourism sector. A measurement framework is crucial for guiding the actors of the tourism sector in the development of a long-term strategy for a circular transition. Based on action research, where researchers and practitioners collaborate with each other, a co-created measurement framework was developed based on four types of capital and five circular economy principles. An assessment tool based on 54 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) was then developed and tested in nine tourism destinations in the Mediterranean region. The framework was further fine-tuned through expert feedback and practitioners support, leading to the final Circular Measurement System for tourism destinations. This represents a solid and stakeholder-based measurement system to assess the circularity of tourism destinations, tangibly promoting the transition of the sector towards a circular economy.

Keywords:

• Tourism
• sustainability
• circular economy
• performance measurement
• stakeholders engagement

Acknowledgments

We thank the INCIRCLE (Support INsular and low density areas in the transition towards a more CIRCuLar tourism Economy) Project, co-financed by the EU and the Interreg MED 2014-2020 Territorial Cooperation Programme.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Natalia Marzia Gusmerotti

Natalia Marzia Gusmerotti is an Assistant Professor of Sustainability Management at the Department of Management and Law of the School of Economics, Tor Vergata University of Rome. Previously she coordinated the Research Team on Circular Economy and Natural Capital Management at the Sustainability Management Laboratory, Institute of Management, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies.

Serena Carlesi

Serena Carlesi is currently Sustainability Account in a multinational company specialized in the production of Tissue and airlaid hygiene paper products. She has also worked for several years as Research Fellow at the Institute of Management of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, within the research group that deals with Circular Economy and Natural Capital.

Tiziana Iannuzzi

Tiziana Iannuzzi is a PhD student in Sustainability Management at the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa. She works within the research group that deals with Circular Economy and Natural Capital. This research area operates within the broader Laboratory of Sustainability Management of the same Institute.

Francesco Testa

Francesco Testa is Full Professor of Sustainable Management at the Institute of Management, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies. He coordinates the Research Team on Life Cycle Management at the Sustainability Management Laboratory.