A Content Analysis of Sustainable Development in the Tourism Literature

Abstract

This study examines what fundamental issues are addressed in the tourism literature for defining sustainable development. By adopting a descriptive approach with a content analysis, 221 articles with the keywords “sustainable development” in their titles are analyzed in the current study. This study argues that although developmental and environmental dynamics is crucial, however, organizational dynamics of sustainable development should also be emphasized in the tourism literature. This study also shows that sustainability for companies operating in the tourism sector has a legitimating effect both at the organizational level and within the organization. © 2020 selection and editorial matter, Ipek Kalemci Tüzün, Mehmet Ergül and Colin Johnson; individual chapters, the contributors.