The impacts, legacies and social value of tourism: distinct concepts or overlapping realities?

Purpose This study examines the conceptual distinctions between the impacts, legacies and social value of tourism and develops a framework that illustrates their interrelationships and dynamics. Design/methodology/approach It is a conceptual article. We examine both the seminal works and the most cited studies concerning the impacts, legacies and social value of tourism and compare them with current literature. Findings The article highlights that although these constructs are interconnected, they represent distinct phenomena with different temporal and spatial characteristics. The social value of tourism encompasses both impact and legacies, but certain limits are necessary to avoid the host society experiencing the destruction of value. Findings reinforce the need to shift perspectives away from generalist theoretical models and monitoring systems to emphasise social value and better support the tourism development of a more context-sensitive approach. Research limitations/implications We addressed a theoretical and practical gap by delineating these concepts. The article brought greater clarity to scholars and provided a framework for understanding the dynamics of tourism's effects on sustainable, regenerative and transformative development. We presented a research agenda for the integrative dynamics of the social value of tourism, including different levels, namely, individual (residents and visitors), business, community and tourism destination. Social implications We presented a research agenda for the integrative dynamics of the social value of tourism, including different levels, namely, individual (residents and visitors), business, community and tourism destination. Originality/value We initiate a discussion with a new conceptual refinement with practical implications for destination managers, policymakers and researchers aiming to design tourism strategies that foster enduring social, economic and environmental benefits: the social value of tourism.