The purpose of this study was to compare the perceived benefits of users and non-users of the Lowveld National Botanical Garden (LNBG) in South Africa; more specifically, users and non-users who are residents living in proximity to the Garden. The study was quantitative, descriptive, and exploratory and employed a survey research design. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 500 residents (including users and non-users). The results of a principal components analysis for users and non-users revealed shared factors (i.e. benefits) between the two groups, including socio-cultural, mental well-being, leisure, and biodiversity benefits. The benefit of escapism was an additional factor elicited for the non-users. Understanding the perceived benefits has practical value in that it may serve as a foundation to develop the product offering of the LNBG and tailor the marketing communication. In this regard, repeat visitation is promoted for users, and non-users may be converted into active users. In turn, this promotes the sustainability of the Garden in an era where visitation needs to be maximized to generate tourist income to supplement limited government funds. The study is considered novel in that it has explored an under-researched population (i.e. residents as users and non-users of a botanical garden) and an under-researched topic in a specific context, i.e. perceived benefits of botanical garden visitation in South Africa.

Rutong Tourism Village in Ambon has rich cultural and natural tourism potential, but its management is traditional and pays little attention to sustainable ecotourism. Sustainability communication practices, which leverage social and cultural capital, are essential to building community involvement in sustainable ecotourism in Rutong tourism village. This research will examine community and culture-based sustainable tourism communications to build involvement in sustainable ecotourism practices in Rutong village. The study uses qualitative methods to analyze community-based and culturally sustainable tourism communication in Rutong. The results of the study show that Rutong tourist village development is based on customary and traditional values, with community participation through social networks, trust and cooperation. Traditional values are guidelines in community life and tourism development, such as the Sasi traditional system of managing seas and forests implementation of Saniri for joint decision-making. Masohi's value is to build togetherness and cooperation. Tourist activities showcase Rutong cultural authenticity, starting from staying in a homestay, traditional welcoming, cultural attractions in dance, music, and games, traditional sago processing, and traditional food and drink preparations. Sustainability efforts are carried out through community-based waste management, environmental education, Integrating environmental education into the school curriculum, alternative energy development, plastic reduction campaigns, and tumbler use. Communication is carried out in an informative, transparent, and persuasive manner through dialogue, training, awards, and cooperation with NGOs and universities. This Communication is effective in creating community awareness and participation in sustainable tourism development.

This paper examines the contribution of protected area-based tourism to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at Lake Malawi National Park in Malawi, focusing on environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Adopting a qualitative exploratory cross-sectional design within an interpretive paradigm, the research engaged diverse stakeholders to explore tourism’s contribution to SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land). The findings reveal that protected area-based tourism enhances local livelihoods by creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, facilitates biodiversity conservation through tourism operators and community-led initiatives, and supports the ecological health of Lake Malawi through sustainable tourism practices. Moreover, the study underscores the critical role of local community participation in tourism development and conservation, reinforcing the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental sustainability. By integrating these dimensions, Lake Malawi National Park serves as a model for leveraging tourism as a tool for sustainable development. The study calls for sustained investment in protected area-based tourism to maximize its benefits and ensure equitable distribution of tourism-generated resources, ultimately driving progress towards the SDGs and fostering long-term conservation and community resilience.

Amid rising consumer awareness and regulatory scrutiny of corporate sustainability claims, greenwashing has become a pressing concern in green marketing. This study investigates the impact of greenwashing on consumer perceptions by examining its influence on green perceived value, consumer confusion, and green perceived risk. Specifically, it explores the mediating roles of consumer confusion and green perceived risk in the relationship between greenwashing and green perceived value. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) and a dataset of 299 responses from green product consumers in China, the findings indicate that greenwashing significantly diminishes green perceived value. Notably, consumer confusion emerges as a critical mediator, amplifying the negative effect of greenwashing by leading to flawed purchasing decisions. However, contrary to expectations, green perceived risk does not mediate this relationship, suggesting the presence of cognitive biases or other unexamined factors influencing consumer decision-making. These findings contribute to the literature on green marketing by revealing the nuanced mechanisms through which greenwashing affects consumer evaluations. They also highlight the need for businesses to implement transparent and authentic green marketing strategies to preserve consumer trust and perceived value. Furthermore, this study provides novel insights into the complex interplay between green perceived risk and consumer judgment, paving the way for future research on sustainable marketing practices.

This article examines the impact of interconnected political, economic, and environmental crises on Sri Lanka's tourism sector, analyzing their effects on tourism strategies. Employing a qualitative research design, this study uses framework analysis to analyze data collected from semi-structured interviews with tourism stakeholders (for example, hotel managers, tour guides, and government officials) and secondary sources (for example, government reports and policy documents). The study highlights Sri Lanka's tourism industry's vulnerability to political instability, economic downturns, and environmental issues. It emphasizes the need for adaptive strategies like diversifying offerings and targeting new markets. The study underscores the importance of resilience and flexibility in the sector to mitigate future crises. This study fills a gap in literature by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the interconnected challenges confronting Sri Lanka's tourism sector, as well as providing context-specific resilience-building measures tailored to a multifaceted crisis environment. The findings indicate that policymakers should enact specific policies to promote sustainable tourist development, encompassing crisis management, infrastructure enhancement, and environmental preservation. Emphasizing legal systems and advancing sustainable practices will reinstate global confidence in the business.

The hospitality industry essentially provides accommodation and lodging facilities to its guests. This industry generates significant revenue for many countries. Sustainable development depicts the current generation’s responsible usage of valuable items, so that future generations can have access and explore the items. Data for this research was collected from Scopus repository. The time range for the data collected is between 2015-2025. It is notable that the search for the data on Scopus identified a total of 717 documents, but 710 documents were found to be eligible for this study, as shown in the Prisma flow chart. The data collected was analysed with biblioshiny package in R studio. The result revealed that the Journal of Sustainability (Switzerland) had done significantly well by leading other journals with respect to a number of publications on sustainable development. Na Na is the most prolific scholar with twenty-four articles. The scholarly output with the most influence vis-à-vis total citations is in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, published by Han H., 2021, with a total of 440 citations and a total of citations per year of 88.0. The result was underpinned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 and 12.

This paper explores the integration of environmental priorities into participatory budgeting (PB) processes in selected European cities, with a focus on Poland, Spain, and Portugal. Participatory budgeting enables citizens to directly influence how municipal funds are allocated, providing a democratic platform for the development of sustainable urban projects. Through a review of literature and case studies, the paper examines how PB contributes to environmental initiatives such as green infrastructure, waste management, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, and climate resilience. Case studies from Warsaw and Gdańsk in Poland, Barcelona and Valencia in Spain, and Lisbon and Porto in Portugal illustrate the diverse ways cities have used PB to fund projects like community gardens, green roofs, riverbank restoration, and bike infrastructure. These initiatives not only address local ecological challenges but also promote civic engagement, environmental justice, and long-term sustainability. The findings highlight the transformative potential of participatory budgeting as a tool for inclusive urban governance and environmental planning in selected European cities. The main objective is to examine how PB can serve as a democratic tool for environmental governance, promoting sustainability, resilience, and citizen engagement. The study adopts a qualitative case study approach supported by literature review and document analysis. It evaluates municipal participatory budgeting initiatives with a specific focus on green infrastructure, waste management, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, and climate adaptation. Academic sources, city budget reports, and environmental planning documents were analyzed to identify the environmental impact and governance models of PB in each city. Participatory budgeting in European cities increasingly funds environmental projects, such as green roofs, urban gardens, tree planting, sustainable transport, and flood prevention. The active involvement of citizens in decision-making ensures that environmental solutions are locally relevant, socially inclusive, and ecologically impactful. Results show that PB contributes to improved urban resilience, environmental justice, and long-term sustainability by aligning ecological goals with democratic processes. This study is among the first to comparatively examine environmental projects under PB frameworks in Eastern and Southern Europe. It offers new insights into how participatory governance mechanisms can shape urban environmental policy and increase community ownership of green transitions. Policymakers and city planners can use participatory budgeting as a strategic instrument for environmental planning, ensuring that public investments are both citizen-driven and environmentally sound. The paper provides examples and recommendations for replicating successful PB-based environmental initiatives across diverse urban contexts.

The health and safety of tourists are vital for a sustainable and positive tourism experience. In India, the growing tourism industry offers immense opportunities but also presents serious challenges in managing health and safety. This review paper examines the current situation by analyzing recent literature and official reports. It highlights improvements in health infrastructure and safety awareness but notes persistent risks such as infectious diseases like malaria and dengue, especially in rural areas. Many healthcare facilities are still under-equipped to meet tourist demands. Safety concerns also include crime, poor transportation infrastructure, and natural disasters. The study identifies key areas for improvement, such as stricter enforcement of health and safety regulations, better training for tourism professionals, and investment in emergency response systems. Additionally, greater public awareness and preparedness among tourists and local communities is essential. These findings contribute to sustainable tourism development in India by offering actionable insights to improve tourist well-being and safety.

In my paper, I explore the critical role of green financing in promoting sustainable development within Saudi Arabia. I begin by defining green financing and its significance in facilitating investments in projects that yield environmental benefits while driving economic growth. The paper highlights how green financing aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 agenda, essential for the nation’s economic diversification and ecological sustainability. I present a comprehensive analysis of the historical context and evolution of green financing, followed by an examination of its economic and environmental implications, including its capacity to create jobs and reduce carbon emissions. Case studies of successful initiatives, such as the Sakaka Solar Power Project and the Red Sea Project, illustrate the practical benefits of green financing in achieving sustainable development goals. Ultimately, I conclude that green financing is indispensable for Saudi Arabia’s future, advocating for enhanced collaboration between the public and private sectors to foster a sustainable and economically viable future.