The Sustainable Rhythm of Destination Popularity: A Song of Local Well-Being and Lasting Charm

Destination popularity has long-term effects on the local community’s quality of life and the destination’s attractiveness. This study examines the impact of environmental, economic, and social factors on destination popularity, while introducing a new sustainable tourism index as a novel approach to measuring sustainability in destinations. The study acknowledges that, although popular destinations generate high revenue, excessive popularity can have negative consequences for long-term destination appeal. Unlike the traditional country-level and qualitative approach, the proposed index relies on open-source data, allowing for frequent updates at the local level. By analyzing 2,164 U.S. counties, the study reveals a positive relationship between economic, environmental, and social factors and destination popularity, with variation in the magnitude of these effects. The study also presents examples of potential applications for the proposed index, offering valuable insights into the complex dynamics of destination popularity, and providing a practical tool for assessing sustainable tourism.