Sustainability in tourism destination development: ecotourism as a path forward (a systematic review)

Tourism destination development offers significant socio-economic benefits but often poses risks to the environment, society and local cultures. This systematic review examined the role of ecotourism and community-based ecotourism (CBET) in sustainable destination development through 33 studies using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and Context Intervention Mechanisms Outcomes (CIMO) framework. Studies published between January 2013 and April 2026 in English language, focusing on the sustainability of tourism destination development within an ecotourism context, from multiple academic databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect, employing thematic synthesis were selected. Integrating Tourism Area Life Cycle and carrying capacity models into a cohesive CIMO paradigm, this review reframes community participation and indigenous engagement from passive checklist items into a generative, integrated process. The findings revealed that local communities, critical stakeholders, were frequently marginalized in development processes. However, CBET mitigates ecological issues and fosters community involvement more effectively than traditional destination development models. The review highlights responsible tourism practices that balance environmental conservation with community empowerment, and implementing sustainability metrics. The study encouraged further research to explore the complex interrelationships between development, sustainability, and host populations. This synthesis provides valuable insights for stakeholders aiming to implement sustainable, community centered tourism strategies.