Eco-friendly and net-zero emission implementation strategies for sustainable urban tourism

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The tourism sector is confronted with an increasing number of challenges that are associated with the reduction of carbon emissions and climate change. The tourism sector is a substantial contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, strategies are required to attain the sustainable development goals and net-zero emissions. Nevertheless, relationships between sustainable tourism, destination management, resilience, and the attainment of net-zero emissions are still unexplored. The objectives of this study were to assess destination initiatives in urban tourism by employing a resilience-based framework to facilitate the attainment of net-zero emissions.METHODS: The study was conducted at six heritage tourism destinations in Medan City, Indonesia, namely Al-Mashun Grand Mosque, Maimun Palace, Tjong A Fie House, Velangkani Temple, Medan Zoo, and the Crocodile Breeding Center. A systematic questionnaire was provided to ۲۰۰ visitors of the cultural heritage area to obtain insights into their perspectives on developed and implemented resilience initiatives. The study using evaluation strategy (internal and external strategy, performance measurement, and corrective action), the resilience-based framework as an intervening variable, and net zero emission. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling–partial least squares.FINDINGS: The measurement model met the required validity and reliability criteria. Structural model analysis revealed that internal and external strategies significantly influenced net zero emissions (β = ۰.۲۱۵; p = ۰.۰۰۵) and destination resilience (β = ۰.۳۳۱; p < ۰.۰۰۱). Performance measurement positively affected net zero emissions (β = ۰.۲۳۹; p = ۰.۰۰۱) but showed no significant effect on resilience. The resilience-based framework exerted the strongest influence on net zero emissions (β = ۰.۴۰۰; p < ۰.۰۰۱) and significantly mediated the relationship between strategy and net zero emissions achievement. In contrast, corrective action did not significantly affect net zero emissions. The model explained ۴۴.۹ percent of the variance in net zero emissions (R² = ۰.۴۴۹).CONCLUSION: The findings offer practical recommendations for the management of cultural heritage sites, governments, and tourism stakeholders to improve resilience, promote social cohesion, and guarantee the economic sustainability of cultural heritage tourism in a dynamic environment.

کلیدواژه ها:

Net zero emission (NZE) ، Resilience-based framework ، Strategy evaluation ، Structural equation modeling&ndash ، partial least squares (SEM-PLS) ، Tourism destination.