From Spectrum to Multiverse: A New Perspective on the Diversity of Quality Control Tools for Sustainable Tourism Theory and Practice

Abstract

Sustainable tourism quality control tools (QCTs) are voluntary mechanisms that translate sustainable tourism concepts into practice. While essential to sustainable tourism practice, the most recent depiction of their diversity occurred in the early 2000s and identified just four types and one variability parameter. Reviewing and synthesizing the extant literature, this study identifies 15 types of QCTs, each possessing numerous variations, and seven critical variability parameters. Together these constitute the new “QCT multiverse.” This contemporary perspective on QCT diversity facilitates engagement with sustainable tourism by indicating the more comprehensive array of practices available for destination practitioners and managers.