Integrating Research and Practice for Sustainable Tourism Development: Evidence from Spain

Given the tourism industry’s pivotal role in the global economy and its substantial environmental and socio-cultural impacts, advancing sustainable tourism development has become imperative. While existing research has largely focused on theoretical perspectives and sectoral organizations have issued best-practice guidelines, few studies have examined how industry professionals actively influence and implement sustainability measures. Consequently, research that bridges theoretical analysis with practical application remains scarce. This research addresses this gap by proposing a strategic action plan to guide Spain’s tourism sector toward a more sustainable model. Using a mixed-methods approach, it combines insights from a Delphi panel of experts with an in-depth review of scholarly and professional literature. The findings lead to a set of targeted initiatives aligned with the eight axes of Spain’s Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2030, aimed at strengthening the social, economic, environmental, and institutional dimensions of national tourism development. The expert panel emphasized the need for stronger regulatory standards and improved public–private collaboration as critical enablers of sustainability. This study also identifies key structural shortcomings within the sector and provides actionable policy recommendations to support stakeholders and policymakers in advancing sustainable tourism practices in Spain.