Sustainable tourism paradigms across cultures : a continuum from Western to Eastern perspectives

Abstract

This special issue explores the cultural diversities in conceptualising and practising sustainable tourism in emerging destination societies. By examining both Western and Eastern paradigms through ontological, epistemological, and methodological lenses, this collection seeks to broaden the discourse on sustainable tourism. While Western frameworks have significantly shaped the field, an Eastern perspective—rooted in Confucianism and Taoism—offers complementary insights that emphasise the unity of nature and humanity, ethical thinking, self-cultivation, and humanistic approaches illustrated through concepts such as Guanxi and Mianzi. Rather than treating these paradigms as opposing forces, this special issue explores their potential synergies by placing them on a continuum—encouraging a more inclusive and context-sensitive approach to understanding sustainability. By encouraging dialogues between diverse cultural traditions, this study aspires to enrich sustainable tourism research and practice, offering valuable perspectives for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners navigating the complexities of global tourism development.