Social Capital in the Sustainable Development of the Tourism Industry

Abstract

The continuous search for responsible and sustainable practices in the tourism industry paves the way for alternative approaches to tourism development. Tourists need a quality product, local communities need jobs, and business needs profit. To achieve these goals, as well as preserve the results for future generations, it is necessary to consider economic, social, environmental and ethical factors in a tourism planning. All these tasks can be met within the sustainable tourism development concept. The purpose of this study is to address a gap in knowledge by conceptualizing sustainable tourism development as a more holistic economic strategy. Using social capital as a theoretical lens, this paper explores the ways which facilitate sustainable tourism planning. The basic research approaches of social capital in tourism are described with respect to their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the specifics of use for the Russian tourism industry. The future research directions were suggested at the conclusion.