Research Article

Why Renewable Energy Matters for Sustainable Tourism: A Conceptual and Literature-Based Review from a Tourism Competitiveness Perspective

Volume: 7 April 1, 2026
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Why Renewable Energy Matters for Sustainable Tourism: A Conceptual and Literature-Based Review from a Tourism Competitiveness Perspective

Abstract

This study examines the role of renewable energy in the context of sustainable tourism through a conceptual and literature-based framework from a tourism competitiveness perspective. Although renewable energy has predominantly been discussed within the axis of environmental sustainability and ethical responsibility, this study highlights its strategic and competition-oriented dimensions for tourism destinations and businesses. The aim is to discuss the position of renewable energy within the tourism competitiveness literature and to explore how it can be evaluated within existing theoretical approaches. Methodologically, the study is based on a structured literature review and a conceptual analysis approach. In this context, classical and contemporary tourism competitiveness models are reconsidered from a renewable energy perspective, and the conceptual intersections between these two strands of literature are also examined. The literature assessment indicates that while renewable energy occupies a significant place in the sustainable tourism literature, its systematic and comprehensive integration into competitiveness frameworks remains limited. Accordingly, the study seeks to contribute to the reconsideration of renewable energy as a strategic element within tourism competitiveness debates and to provide a conceptual foundation for future empirical and policy-oriented research.

Keywords

Renewable Energy, Sustainable Tourism, Tourism Competitiveness, Competitive Advantage

Supporting Institution

This research received no funding support from any public, commercial or non-profit agency or organization.

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval is not required for this study in accordance with the Ethical Principles and Publication Policy of the Journal of Academic Tourism Analysis (ATA Journal).

References

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APA
Demir, E., & Bahar, O. (2026). Why Renewable Energy Matters for Sustainable Tourism: A Conceptual and Literature-Based Review from a Tourism Competitiveness Perspective. Journal of Academic Tourism Analysis, 7, 1888698. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19367983
AMA
1.Demir E, Bahar O. Why Renewable Energy Matters for Sustainable Tourism: A Conceptual and Literature-Based Review from a Tourism Competitiveness Perspective. Journal ATA. 2026;7:1888698. doi:10.5281/zenodo.19367983
Chicago
Demir, Emre, and Ozan Bahar. 2026. “Why Renewable Energy Matters for Sustainable Tourism: A Conceptual and Literature-Based Review from a Tourism Competitiveness Perspective”. Journal of Academic Tourism Analysis 7 (April): 1888698. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19367983.
EndNote
Demir E, Bahar O (April 1, 2026) Why Renewable Energy Matters for Sustainable Tourism: A Conceptual and Literature-Based Review from a Tourism Competitiveness Perspective. Journal of Academic Tourism Analysis 7 1888698.
IEEE
[1]E. Demir and O. Bahar, “Why Renewable Energy Matters for Sustainable Tourism: A Conceptual and Literature-Based Review from a Tourism Competitiveness Perspective”, Journal ATA, vol. 7, p. 1888698, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.5281/zenodo.19367983.
ISNAD
Demir, Emre - Bahar, Ozan. “Why Renewable Energy Matters for Sustainable Tourism: A Conceptual and Literature-Based Review from a Tourism Competitiveness Perspective”. Journal of Academic Tourism Analysis 7 (April 1, 2026): 1888698. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19367983.
JAMA
1.Demir E, Bahar O. Why Renewable Energy Matters for Sustainable Tourism: A Conceptual and Literature-Based Review from a Tourism Competitiveness Perspective. Journal ATA. 2026;7:1888698.
MLA
Demir, Emre, and Ozan Bahar. “Why Renewable Energy Matters for Sustainable Tourism: A Conceptual and Literature-Based Review from a Tourism Competitiveness Perspective”. Journal of Academic Tourism Analysis, vol. 7, Apr. 2026, p. 1888698, doi:10.5281/zenodo.19367983.
Vancouver
1.Emre Demir, Ozan Bahar. Why Renewable Energy Matters for Sustainable Tourism: A Conceptual and Literature-Based Review from a Tourism Competitiveness Perspective. Journal ATA. 2026 Apr. 1;7:1888698. doi:10.5281/zenodo.19367983