Tourism Sustainability as Interconnection

This short paper presents the results of a research project focused on experiential tourism in the Calabria region, covering the period from 2020 to 2023. One particularly compelling aspect that has emerged is the interpretation of tourism sustainability through the lens of interconnection, grounded in traditional knowledge. The scientific debate surrounding tourism sustainability has primarily addressed the protection of the environment, natural resources, and wildlife. It has also included specific analyses of the socio-economic benefits for communities living in tourist destinations, as well as strategies for conserving cultural heritage and fostering authentic tourist experiences. These guiding values—environmental protection, cultural preservation, and community well-being—appear increasingly fragile in the current historical, socio-cultural, and economic context. As such, they require reinforcement and redefinition. In recent years, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism communities have been confronted with new challenges. Chief among them is the urgent need to rethink the concept of sustainability.