Evidence from several studies shows that small-scale sport events may have more positive repercussions for the host community than major ones in terms of both economic and social impacts. This study estimates the economic impacts on a small community derived from athletes’ expenditure at a specific small-scale sport tourism event, the Italo-Swiss mountain endurance trail CollonTrek. Even if this kind of event is considered a minor sport event, generating very limited economic activity, this study supports the hypothesis that the funds invested by the public administration are compensated for by revenue generated during the trail. In fact, according to the three analyzed scenarios (Conservative, Average and Liberal), for each euro invested by the public administration, an economic return between €17.62 and €18.92 has been estimated, and between €5.64 and €6.9 (32%–36.47%) represent the direct economic return for the local community. Furthermore, in addition to the direct economic benefits, in accordance with the feedback from a sample of participants at the event (n = 180), this kind of event has positive implications in terms of future tourism for the host valley, pointing out how this kind of tourist activities has positive repercussions in terms of economic and social sustainability.

Tourism in inner areas, especially in the mountains, is a complex phenomenon due to the different tourist’s needs and to the specific local features that vary considerably from one destination to another. Consequently, a unique tourism development strategy cannot be defined and adopted anywhere. When considering tourism-based territorial development in mountain areas, it is crucial to take the vision of local stakeholders into consideration. To drive different and/or unexpressed opinions towards shared tools, this study analyses the local stakeholder’s point of view using a mixed method consisting of a Delphi method followed by a Group Nominal Technique. The research was performed in Soana Valley, a small mountain community in the Northwestern Italian Alps. It involved 17 local stakeholders divided into three main groups—local administrators (n = 3), hospitality operators (9) and retailers (5). Results show how operators converge on three common aspects—local food product offering, territorial promotion and collaboration among operators, on which the community should focus to build a territorial integrated tourism offering.

The purpose of this perspective paper is to investigate the role of robots in tourism’s contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a deep analysis of the 17 SDGs and their 169 targets, the authors provide an interpretation on both the positive and negative impacts of robots in tourism towards the achievement of the SDG. For several SDGs, the positive impact of robots in tourism is evident, whereas for others, it can be debated as the adoption of robots can lead to both positive and negative impacts, mostly dependent on how robots will be used. In particular, robots can provide a decent work environment for tourism and hospitality (TH) employees (SDG 8) who perform dangerous tasks while decreasing the consumption of resources (SDGs 2, 6, 7, 12, 13) due to their contribution to a company’s effectiveness and efficiency. In the meantime, robots have some impacts on the environment, both in terms of the use of resources (their manufacturing relies on rare Earth materials and robots are energy demanding) and output, especially for the management of toxic waste (e.g. batteries). The main limitation of this perspective paper is the lack of empirical measurement of the effects of robots in tourism on the achievement of the SDGs. However, it is a necessary exploration as a foundation for future research. This perspective paper may be useful for robot manufacturers in identifying the positive and negative aspects of robots when designing sustainable robots (in terms of energy efficiency, management of the end-of-life of components, etc.) to conform to the expectations of the SDGs. It can be useful to TH companies when their managers evaluate whether to adopt robots in service operations or not. This contribution discusses the social implications in adopting robots in TH, specifically in terms of new opportunities for employment and in the substitution of humans in dirty, dull and dangerous tasks. It helps policymakers adopt the best policies for fostering the use of robots in TH with an eye to the environmental and social ramifications of robots. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this perspective paper is one of the first studies to investigate the role that robots can play in achieving the SDGs by TH companies. 旅游业中的机器人与永续发展目标：2030 年旅游议程观点文章 摘要 本文旨在研究机器人在旅游业对实现永续发展目标(SDGs)的贡献。 从 17 个 SDGs及其 169 个目标深入分析后, 本文从正反两面向解释机器人在旅游业中对实现SDGs的影响。 机器人总体对旅游是有正面影响的, 但对少数SDGs可能衍生负面影响。机器人可为执行高风险任务的员工(SDGs)提供安全的工作环境, 也能因其效率使公司减少资源消耗(SDGs 2、6、7、12、13)。但无论在资源使用(制造仰赖土料及能源)或废弃物 (例电池)的管理, 机器人对环境有一定的风险。 本文是少数研究机器人在旅游和酒店业实现SDGs所扮演的角色。 本文缺乏旅游机器人对实现SDGs的实证测量, 但本研究可为未来研究奠定基础。 据SDG设计机器人时, 本文从能源效率和组件报废等角度, 为制造商点出机器人的正反面影响。当经理需评估是否在服务中采用机器人时, 本文也可提供方向。 本文在促进旅游和酒店业使用机器人的同时, 也讨论它们的社会影响, 特别是提供就业机会, 及代替高风险工作的员工。 Robots en el turismo y objetivos de desarrollo sostenible: Artículo de perspectiva sobre la agenda turismo 2030 Resumen El propósito de este artículo de perspectiva es investigar el papel de los robots en la contribución del turismo al logro de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS). Los autores aportan una interpretación sobre los impactos, tanto positivos como negativos de los robots en el turismo hacia el logro de los ODS sobre un profundo análisis de los 17 ODS y sus 169 metas. Para varios ODS, el impacto positivo de los robots en el turismo es evidente, mientras que para otros puede debatirse, ya que la adopción de robots puede generar impactos tanto positivos como negativos, dependiendo principalmente de cómo se utilicen. En particular, los robots pueden proporcionar un entorno de trabajo digno para los empleados de turismo y hostelería (ODS 8) que realizan tareas peligrosas, al tiempo que reducen el consumo de recursos (ODS 2, 6, 7, 12, 13) debido a su contribución a la eficacia y eficiencia de una empresa turística. De igual forma, los robots tienen algunos impactos en el medio ambiente, tanto en términos de uso de recursos (su fabricación se basa en materiales de tierras raras y los robots demandan energía) como de producción, especialmente para la gestión de desechos tóxicos (p. ej., baterías). Este artículo de perspectiva es uno de los primeros estudios que investigan el papel que pueden desempeñar los robots en el logro de los ODS por parte de las empresas de turismo y hostelería. La principal limitación de este artículo de perspectiva es la falta de medición empírica de los efectos de los robots en el turismo en el logro de los ODS. Sin embargo, es una exploración necesaria como base para futuras investigaciones. Este artículo de perspectiva puede ser útil para que los fabricantes de robots identifiquen los aspectos positivos y negativos al diseñar robots sostenibles (en términos de eficiencia energética, gestión del final de la vida útil de los componentes, etc.) y así cumplir con las expectativas de los ODS. Puede ser útil para las empresas de turismo y hostelería cuando sus gerentes evalúan, si adoptar o no robots en las operaciones de servicio Esta contribución discute las implicaciones sociales en la adopción de robots en el turismo y la hostelería, específicamente en términos de nuevas oportunidades de empleo, y en la sustitución de humanos en tareas rutinarias, aburridas o peligrosas. Ayuda a los responsables políticos a adoptar mejores políticas para fomentar el uso de robots en el turismo y la hostelería teniendo en cuenta las ramificaciones ambientales y sociales de éstos.

Sustainability is increasing in importance in relation to the competitiveness of winter tourism, particularly when considering mountain destinations. Exploring in more detail winter tourism related to ski resorts, operators are especially concerned about environmental issues caused by climate change. Therefore, they have gradually become aware of the importance of finding adequate solutions to cope with such issues as well as being able to sensitize tourists. The main goal of this paper is to analyze the different sustainable tools that can be adopted by the ski industry. In this field there appear to be two main approaches. The first line is that of sustainable labels being applied to local ski resorts; whereas the second consists in operators—such as the managers of cable cars—making use of specific labels or management systems that are environmentally oriented.

This paper examines visitors' behaviors toward local food products when visiting a less favored mountain community in the Italian Alps. The aim of the study was to assess the role of local foodstuffs in fostering tourism in inner mountain areas. Primary data are based on 507 responses to an online questionnaire created with the Google Module platform. Participants' behaviors are analyzed with descriptive statistical tools, whereas their opinions on food services are analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis χ2 and Mann–Whitney tests. Our evidence shows that although tourists are willing to taste and purchase local food products, the revenue for the local community appears to be limited, with an average expenditure of € 22.80/person (US$ 27.29/person), under a liberal spending scenario. Our research findings give original insights that can help local policymakers better understand how they can develop tourism through local food production.

Purpose: This paper aims at assessing the role of authenticity of local food in contributing to tourism as an ecosystem service in a small mountain tourism destination, i.e. Alagna Valsesia (North-West of Italy).Design/methodology/approach: A mix method approach has been adopted. The research has been carried out by using both CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) and PAPI (Paper And Pen Interview) methodologies for surveys on the accommodation facilities managers and tourists. In addition, an analysis of electronic word-of-mouth platforms (TripAdvisor and Google) was implemented to understand more in-depth the local foodservice.Findings: Findings show that Alagna Valsesia embodies its authenticity with the tradition of the local culture, characterised by natural heritage and Walser uses. Some tools are identified to improve the attractiveness of the tourist destination.Research limitations/implications: The main limitation of this study can be found in the study' application to a rather limited and geographically restricted area.Practical implications: The results provided by this study can help local policy-makers in driving local policies and public funds in implementing ecotourism based practices.Originality/value: Although the role of local food has been much studied in relation to the tourism sector, to the knowledge of the authors, this contribution represents a first attempt to analyse local food's role in terms of local food's crossover contribution to supporting cultural tourism.