A modular modelling framework of tourism sustainability: the case of eco-efficiency

Environmental evaluations in tourism research are often irregular and incomplete, and tourism ecolabels lack international standardisation and scientific validation. Due to the complexity of the tourism system, various evaluation scopes are needed based on specific contexts. For this purpose, a modular approach is proposed to improve the standardisation and robustness of sustainability evaluation and measurement in tourism. This paper introduces a systemic, multiperspective modular modelling framework to support multidimensional sustainability assessment in tourism. In this paper, the framework is demonstrated for the environmental dimension only through the principles of eco-efficiency. The modularity concept deconstructs system complexity from various perspectives, enabling a flexible and standardised method for measuring tourism eco-efficiency impacts using the IPAT equation. This approach enhances the evaluation process and paves the way for standardised ecolabels in the tourism industry.