Optimizing Sustainable Tourism: A Multi-Objective Framework for Juneau and Beyond

Jing Pan, Haoran Yang, Zihao Wang, Bo Peng and Shaoning Li ()
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Jing Pan: School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Haoran Yang: School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Zihao Wang: School of Electronic Information and Communications, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Bo Peng: School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Shaoning Li: Institute of Forestry and Pomology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100093, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-19

Abstract: This study develops a multi-dimensional sustainable tourism optimization framework for Juneau, Alaska, integrating economic, social, and environmental dimensions to balance tourism-driven prosperity with ecological and socio-cultural integrity. Utilizing a hybrid Analytic Hierarchy Process and entropy weighting method, the model assigns robust indicator weights. Optimized via the NSGA-II algorithm, it identifies an optimal tourist threshold, achieved through a strategic tax adjustment. This policy not only sustains economic revenue at USD 325 million but also funds a critical feedback loop: revenue reinvestment into environmental conservation and social infrastructure, which stabilizes cost indices and enhances community well-being. The model’s projections show this approach significantly mitigates environmental degradation, notably glacier retreat, and alleviates social pressures such as infrastructure overload and resident dissatisfaction. A key contribution of this research is the framework’s adaptability, which was validated through its application to Barcelona, Spain. There, the framework was recalibrated with social indicators tailored to address urban overtourism, achieving substantial reductions in housing and congestion costs alongside environmental improvements, while economic recovery was maintained. Sensitivity analyses confirm the model’s stability, though data limitations and subjective weighting suggest future enhancements via real-time analytics and dynamic modeling. Key policy recommendations include dynamic tourist caps, diversified attractions, and community engagement platforms, offering scalable solutions for global tourism destinations. This framework advances sustainable tourism by providing a blueprint to decouple economic growth from ecological and social harm, ensuring the longevity of natural and cultural assets amidst climate challenges.

Keywords: sustainable tourism; multi-objective optimization; economic–environmental–social balance; AHP–entropy weighting; tourist carrying capacity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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