The Institute for Tourism has made a significant contribution to the international publication Sustainability in Cruise Tourism: Balancing Growth, Oceans and Responsibility, edited by Carolin Lusby and Alexis Papathanassis and published by CABI.
The book brings together international academic and professional perspectives on the environmental, social, economic, and regulatory challenges of cruise tourism, representing a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion on the sustainable development of the sector.
Among the key conceptual contributions is the chapter Why Mega-cruise Tourism Demands the Precautionary Principle: A Socio-economic Perspective, authored by Dr. Hrvoje Carić of the Institute for Tourism.
The chapter argues that mega-cruise tourism should be viewed not only as an opportunity for tourism development but also as a matter of risk management. Particular attention is given to environmental degradation, public health risks, overtourism, economic leakage, lobbying pressures, and destination governance challenges.
One of the chapter’s most important contributions is the development of a matrix of negative environmental, social, and economic externalities, demonstrating how the benefits, costs, and risks associated with cruise tourism are often unevenly distributed among cruise companies, public institutions, and local communities.
The analysis is particularly relevant for coastal, island, and heritage destinations facing increasing pressures from cruise tourism while seeking to balance economic development with environmental protection, public health, residents’ quality of life, and long-term sustainability.
Through this contribution, the Institute for Tourism further reinforces its international recognition and expertise in the fields of sustainable tourism, cruise tourism impacts, overtourism, environmental governance, and evidence-based tourism policymaking.
More information is available at: CABI Digital Library.