Handbook of Sustainable Development and Leisure Services

Is leisure still a ‘luxury’ in the globalizing world? On the one hand, the number of hours and days that can be allocated to non-compulsory sports, recreation, cultural or tourist activities increases. However, the issue of rationality and seriousness in managing leisure is still difficult to assess. On the other hand, due to socio-demographic and climate changes, people migrate massively (to large cities or other countries) in search of a better life and opportunities to improve their material status and thus often neglect leisure. Those who can afford it, transfer their own leisure models to new communities, while maintaining their cultural identity, customs and habits. However, numerous people adopt new patterns. The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) encompass the key social, environmental, and economic dimensions in sustainable development. SDG 3 focuses on ensuring health and promoting the well-being of all people, at all ages. It seems that the role and functions of leisure in people’s lives in many communities are important. We need to bear in mind not just the health of people, but also their integration, compensation and use of nature for serious leisure. The purpose of this chapter is to identify leading trends in the leisure market, including sustainable development. It is important to refer to the ongoing changes from the perspective of this issue’s key dimensions, i.e. social, business and environmental responsibility. The authors’ critical view is not an essential element of argument, but only a voice in the discussion on the need to promote and disseminate information on sustainable development in the scope of leisure management in communities, and the reactions of enterprises to the communities’ needs.

The commonly adopted approach to leisure studies emphasizes the impact of leisure time on health, well-being and the work-life balance in isolation from/without considering the external conditions of a more or less sustainable society. It focuses on what factors influence leisure time and the consequences of leisure activities on other areas of individual or group life. However, given the growing popularity and presence of new information and communication technologies and related algorithms (algorithmic automation), it is worth considering the area of overlapping dynamic relationships between the technological dimension and leisure time/activities. Hence, this chapter aims to signal (initiate) the impact of new technologies on the daily practices of leisure time in developed capitalist societies in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3. To this end, a social welfare perspective has been used, combining sociological studies of welfare with welfare economics, and a psychological approach emphasizing the subjective dimension of the phenomenon (positive psychology). Such an approach aims to answer the main research question, namely how algorithms based on new technologies change the subjective perception of leisure time and the daily practices implemented within its framework (e.g. work and formal non-work regimes).

This chapter attempts to present the concept of leisure time in the context of its balance with working time, consumption of goods and services, and the natural environment. The ways of spending leisure time that result from personal needs, availability, and people’s habits cannot be analysed in isolation from other activities that constitute their daily time budget (work, household duties), because the type of these activities and their duration directly affect the size and quality of the leisure time. The balance between professional life and leisure time consists in accepting the fact that both of these areas of life are important to each other. Labour and rest should be provided in an appropriate way. Goods and services that fill the leisure time should be arranged in such a way as to bring an improvement in the quality of life, while respecting nature and reducing the consumption of natural resources and energy, which will also be used by future generations.

The social conditions in which people live have been identified as an important indicator of the health status of communities and a critical determinant of health inequities. Thus, health policies are meant to recognise the interdependence of community health and these social conditions. This paper aims to conceptualise leisure activities and recreation facilities as valid social determinants of health variables, being veritable factors for promoting community health. The effects of physical activities, social interactions and environmental factors on communal health indices are examined by exploring the physical, health and tourism science literature to generate relevant insights. Application and implications for Nigerian communities are also conducted. Leisure activities and recreation facilities are identified as two major variables that are relevant to the social determinants of health framework. This paper recognises that health equity in communities is enhanced by the engagement of people in fun, activities, pleasure and entertainment. It establishes the critical link between leisure activities, recreation facilities and built environment on one hand and community health on the other hand. It emphasises that investments in infrastructure are a sustainable way of promoting community health and addressing health inequities. A strong case is made for Nigerian communities.

Using data from the German Socioeconomic Panel (SOEP) for the years 2013 and 2017 (in which the loneliness measure is only available), we investigate the contribution of different types of leisure activities (e.g. social gatherings, cultural events, taking part in sports, volunteer work, etc.) in reducing the levels of loneliness reported by people without disabilities and with moderate and severe disabilities. Overall, we find that the participation in leisure activities and a more intense frequency reduce the loneliness scores for all individuals (disabled or not). However, this reduction is quite different according to the leisure activity and disability status. For example, the participation in sports, meeting family and friends, and volunteer and cultural events has a strong positive contribution to reducing the levels of loneliness reported by people with disabilities, especially those who suffer from severe limitations in their daily activities. In addition, we also find significant differences by gender. These results may help policy makers, managers, the leisure industry, vocational rehabilitation professionals, and staff in general to promote specific strategies, actions and measures that eliminate barriers and create inclusive environments for reducing the loneliness scores of people with disabilities.

This paper aims to identify selected determinants and main areas of recreational and tourist activity of the inhabitants of rural communes of the Poznań Metropolis based on the results of a research study concerning their preferences, needs, and main areas of recreation. The following these were assumed: (1) the activity is mainly induced by the need for achieving well-being through active recreation, looking for peace, or improving health, and (2) the preferences and needs do not differ significantly, regardless of home location. A direct survey (with the technique of an interview with a questionnaire) of a group of people living in rural communes of the Poznań Metropolis was conducted. Results of the survey were subjected to statistical analysis using structure and correlation parameters and were then presented in tables, graphs, and in writing. The analysis of co-occurrence of the variables was conducted based on the Pearson’s r correlation coefficient. The inhabitants of rural communes indicated their needs concretely as looking for peace, quiet and rest, with physical recreation as the most important activity. In comparison to other inhabitants, they felt less need for physical recreation and learning about nature and culture and chose areas slightly further away from homes.

Community-based tourism, as an evolving approach to sustainable tourism planning, aims to provide economic, social, cultural and environmental advantages to community members while enhancing sustainable principles at the local level. Integrating tourism activities, sustainability mechanisms, and the well-being of rural communities provides the focus for our work. We use a Serbian case study to showcase the link between rural community welfare and sustainable tourism development. An empirically estimated Tourism Impact Attitude Scale (TIAS) is analysed using factor analysis. Results suggest that the TIAS can be grouped into four factors that include (1) personal and community benefits of tourism, (2) negative tourism effects, (3) support for local tourism development and (4) general tourism perceptions. These four factors explained just over 41% of the variance. Furthermore, ANOVA results suggest that rural resident perceptions of tourism development are significantly different depending on employment in tourism-related jobs, average monthly incomes, and perceptions of community growth. This chapter reinforces the idea that the sensitivity to local resident perceptions plays a vital role in connecting community well-being with sustainable tourism development.

In the last decades, the wellness industry has experienced a real economic boom worldwide. Wellness centres within hotel complexes have become one of the most important components in the development of the leisure industry. Aside from the standard offering that wellness centres include (hydrotherapy, cosmetic treatments, massage, fitness, meditation, nutritive balanced menus, etc.), one of the frequently neglected functions of wellness centres is certainly their educational nature—the spreading of the wellness philosophy with an accent on a healthy lifestyle. Such a holistic approach of applying the wellness concept can have a positive impact on the subjective feeling of well-being among the visitors of wellness centres. Wellness tourism, and wellness as a lifestyle, are certainly a part of modern trends that hotels have to adjust to for the sake of financial success and the achievement of competitive advantage in the market. Thus, a critical approach to the literature in this field would represent a useful theoretical base, both for the managers of hotels and for their customers. The results could be of interest to all stakeholders in the hotel and leisure businesses, since they could be applied when setting future standards in the fields of the leisure industry and wellness tourism.

City tourism is one of the most frequently chosen forms of tourism and consists of many motives. On the modern tourist market, there are many negative phenomena that significantly affect the functioning of urban tourist destinations but primarily have an impact on the decisions of potential tourists about choosing cities as a tourist destination. These phenomena pose a threat to the development of both cities and tourism. They are conditioned by endogenous factors, which result from the functioning of the city, and exogenous ones, i.e., those related to socio-economic relations of the city with the environment, including tourist traffic. Cities, as a destination or transit tourist destination, are characterized by high concentrations of tourist traffic; hence the negative phenomena often affect urban tourist space with great intensity. The aim of this study is to identify threats affecting the possibility of shaping sustainable tourism in urban destinations. In the following parts, theseissues will be presented: urban tourism, sustainable tourism, classification and characterization of threats related to the sustainable development of urban tourism, along with empirical illustration of selected phenomena, after presenting the concept of sustainable urban tourism development policy. The study is of a theoretical and conceptual nature, with elements of empirical research results. The following research methods will be used: critical analysis of the literature, methods of logical operations, case studies.

Leisure and tourist services in rural destinations are becoming popular activities that attract a heavy influx of visitors. Hence, the intended direction of tourism development at the rural destinations should be sustainable. The current chapter examines the village of Jyotisar in the Kurukshetra (Haryana) region of India with an aim to identify the role of rural tourism in sustainable development of the region. The chapter used both primary as well as secondary data sources. The secondary data was used to provide a theoretical framework, and the primary data was collected from self-administered questionnaires from 400respondents, consisting of residents and other stakeholders. The collected data was analysed through suitable statistical tools. The chapter noticed that the rural tourism at Jyotisar is in a growing stage with full potential to develop a well-known tourist destination. The study finds considerable benefits of rural tourism in Jyotisar, consisting of economic, socio-cultural and ecological enhancement of the area. The empirical investigation also noted the significant role of rural tourism in the attainment of sustainable development at the destination. However, some drawbacks-such as less community participation, poor cooperation among stakeholders, lack of tourism infrastructure and poor marketing strategies—were also found in the study area. The study provides implications to enhance the benefits of rural tourism and promote sustainable development.

The accelerated development of humanity, i.e., all areas of human activity and especially those that have a negative effect on the nature of man and the environment, leads people to return to a preserved and undamaged environment through various activities, especially through recreation. The largest number of tourists in the world is generated by cities, so tourism mainly occurs as a product of the urban environment. Rural settlements, by contrast, are very weak generators of tourist demand, but they emerge as receptive areas that are able to meet the recreational and other needs of the urban population. Accordingly, the aim of the research is to highlight the problems of sustainable development in tourist settlements located in underdeveloped rural areas of Serbia. This work highlights the issues of rural tourism and leisure activities in underdeveloped parts of Serbia, with an emphasis on a pro-poor tourism strategy as a factor in the sustainable development of rural tourist resorts in Serbia.

The present study draws on a typology of hosts in Manor Houses, which work as lodging facilities in the Portuguese countryside, known as Housing Tourism ‘Turismo de Habitação’ (HT). In accordance with the Portuguese legislation currently in force (Decree-Law no. 80/2017 of June 30th), HT enterprises are family-owned establishments installed in privately owned real estates, which, because of their architectural, historical or artistic value, are representative of a particular era. Namely palaces and manor houses, they can be located in both rural and urban spaces. Our general research goals aimed at: (1) understanding what is happening in manor houses that host tourists; (2) grasping the main concern of the owners of Manor Houses that host tourists; (3) identifying the main strategies used by the owners to solve the problems they face in HT activity. In order to understand what is happening in HT, we used the methodology of Grounded Theory as a research strategy. We have conducted 53 interviews with manor house owners and 5 participant observation sessions in four of these units of analysis.

The relationship between sustainable tourism and glamping is the most effective means for the correct sustainable development of a tourist destination. Sustainable tourism is a way to develop activities in the context of an environmental space, without harming natural resources. Sustainability is driven by the operationalization of a planning model that aims to privilege all its dimensions, joining the concept of Sustainable Development and Accessible Tourism. In short, these concepts function as a way of integrating tourist use, improving the living conditions of local communities and preserving the environment. Tourism plays an important role in the world economy due to the potential of territories (material and immaterial resources). With the natural evolution of tourism comes sustainable tourism and, within the concept of sustainable tourism, ecotourism. This tourism segment is increasingly important and one of the fastest-growing new types of tourism. In this context, glamping is a recent and yet unexplored concept that derives from nature tourism. It emerges as a new trend where glamour is combined with camping. As a result, holidaymakers want to experience memorable moments in which they are in contact with nature without losing their essential comfort and the luxury of higher quality accommodation. This manuscript is a preliminary, qualitative approach to the Portuguese context and some cases will be presented (five cases) that illustrate the importance of glamping for the development of sustainable tourism. In an interdisciplinary perspective, this research presents inputs for tourism, marketing and sustainable development. At the end, suggestions for future research will be presented.

Ecotourism, since it was introduced to tourism science through the definition created by Ceballos-Lascuráin in 1987, has developed (especially in the theoretical aspect) from the simple admiration for undisturbed natural spaces to the care for these areas as well as for local communities. This approach places it at the centre of sustainable tourism, ensuring even development in three pillars—environmental, social and economic. However, there are still difficulties in introducing its principles to the world of practice and business, despite the growing acceptance of the fact that only such an approach to the development of tourism will ensure success. On the basis of an in-depth literature review that analyses various approaches and definitions, as well as aspects of the phenomenon, such as the impact on natural resources and local communities (both positive and negative), along with the controversy arising in this context, this chapter presents the author’s attempt to show contemporary problems in the development of ecotourism as well as present some examples of good practices in this area.

This study examines the relationship between environmental attitudes and human value sets in forming an eco-tourist market segment within the European region. Different studies indicated that environmental attitudes reflected in general motivations were closely and positively related. Some findings showed that the examination of environmental attitudes that concern psychological factors (motivation) could be more powerful and meaningful than socio-demographic characteristics. The purpose of this study is to examine if human values that indicate basic motivational aspects, when inter-related with high environmental sensibility shared by different people from Europe, could be used for the creation of a specific market segmentation model. The findings identified three main factors that determine tourist values, while at the same time, the multiple discriminant analysis indicated the existence of several clusters, allowing for an identification of ‘eco-friendly’ tourist segments. By using data collections from the European Social Survey, the model also allowed comparability between surveyed countries by crosschecking multiple psycho-sociological and demographic factors, focusing on the environmentally sensitive groups, the so-called ‘eco-careful’ (hard) and ‘eco-sensible’ (soft) tourists. Furthermore, the study looked at potential demand markets that are interested in preserved nature, recreation, and adventure tours. The study confirmed that basic human values play an important role in explaining motivation aspects in tourism-related choices.

Sustainable Development is the prime global concern encompassing economic, social and environmental aspects. The attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries is pivotal to the cause. Leisure, including tourism, has a deep connection with the SDGs’ agenda. Tourism influences not only the well-being and quality of life of people, but also has a significant socio-economic and environmental impact. It is one of the fastest growing industries. Religious and spiritual tourism is a niche segment in the tourism industry. It has been prevalent around the world since ancient times. It plays a significant role in developing countries, such as India, which has a rich, multi-cultural and religious heritage. Religious tourism must be promoted in a manner that assists in sustainable development. A case for the North-Indian hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, popularly known as ‘Dev Bhoomi’—Abode of the Gods, is presented. The states have a significant share of the religious and spiritual tourism in India. A qualitative and descriptive study using primary and secondary sources discusses the impact of this niche segment on the sustainability aspects in these states. In addition, suggestions to promote religious tourism while maintaining socio-economic and ecological balance in such difficult terrains are presented.

The main purpose of the chapter is to identify the potential of big data analysis (BDA) as a tool to enhance the tourism experience by offering products/services that are more personalised to meet each visitor’s unique needs and preferences, as well as to counteract the negative effects of overtourism. The literature review was adapted to define and estimate the significance of data-based experience management. Some examples of big data (BD) application in travel and tourism were identified (e.g. a predictive tourism experience, Internet-based tourist involvement and co-creation, personalisation of the value proposal, effectiveness improvement and promotion enhancement).

Social media (SM) are increasingly changing the context in which businesses operate, and therefore the understanding of continuously changing trends in the context of digital marketing is critical for the development of enterprises in the leisure market. Amongst those trends figures the increasing importance of SM, the growth of user-generated content and its influence, not only on travellers’ decision making but also in tourism-related enterprises’ marketing strategies that might also take into account sustainability concerns and main issues. This research aims to analyse current and future use of SM in the promotion of tourism businesses and activities, with a particular focus on sustainable tourism practices. Semi-structured interviews were adopted to identify and analyse the perceptions of owners and/or managers of leisure-related enterprises who are operating within the geographic context of Viana do Castelo Littoral Geopark. The results indicate that, overall, SM are perceived as being very important in the promotion of the business, reaching customers and enhancing interaction. However, some owners/managers do recognise their use as being complementary with Google ads, considering the perceived impacts on their sales. Currently, Facebook and Instagram are the most used SM, and the enterprises’ owners and/or managers are aware of their different objectives and audiences. In the future, all of them want to enhance SM management and professional use, with Youtube being the privileged network. In general, the owners and/or managers of the leisure-related enterprises have concerns about sustainability, and some of them do implement and promote sustainable tourism practices. However, there is a general recognition that travellers are not willing to pay more money for what are considered ‘sustainable activities”/ “experiences’. This research will discuss practical and theoretical implications about the importance and usage of SM to digitally promote natural and cultural resources in the context of leisure-related enterprises within the framework of sustainable tourism development and marketing. Limitations and future directions are also discussed.