Determinants of Market Competitiveness in an Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Industry

This article introduces a detailed new model of competitiveness that focuses on environmental sustainability factors associated with travel destinations. The multiplicity of industries involved in destinations' planning and development requires the use of a competitiveness model that examines the relationships among all stakeholders involved in creating and integrating value-added products to sustain resources while maintaining market position relative to other competitors. The development of future destinations must be guided by effective and efficient management with a focus on sustainable customer base. Thus, destination management should focus on a systematic examination of unique comparative advantages that provide a special long-term appeal to the target travel customer segments. Therefore, sustaining the longevity of a given destination becomes a function of responding to market demand and competitive challenges. It is critical for future destination development plans to be compatible with market needs and environment integrity for the industry to maintain its economic viability.