According to our results – mainly through a cross-comparison of what academic literature highlights as important social subjects in tourism development, existing indicator frameworks and the tourism priorities – inclusive policies that explicitly address social indicators and ensure inclusive benefits for all community members have in many ways already been developed in the Nordic countries. Furthermore, the Nordic countries also have existing regulatory frameworks that to some extent protect certain cultural heritage, environments and promotes fair labour practices. In this sense, Nordic tourism policy framework accounts for all three dimensions of sustainable tourism – the economic, the environmental and the social dimension as well. However, further conceptualising and operationalisation of how the social dimension should be considered, measured, monitored and utilised in sustainable tourism development is generally lacking.
Social and cultural aspects play a pivotal role in shaping truly sustainable tourism. Socially sustainable tourism emphasises the preservation of cultural integrity and heritage, ensuring that tourism development does not erode the cultural fabric of local communities. It involves promoting heritage conservation and maintaining authenticity in tourist experiences and hosting communities which contributes to a more meaningful and sustainable tourism industry. The negative effects of over-tourism, such as community displacement and increased visitor pressure, highlight the need for impact assessments to manage tourism growth effectively. Ensuring equitable distribution of tourism benefits and access to opportunities for all community members is also crucial for positive social outcomes. These practices help maintain a balance between tourism development and local social and environmental concerns, fostering a socially responsible tourism industry.
In the context of Nordic tourism development specifically, social aspects are increasingly being considered in policy development alongside environmental and economic dimensions. National tourism policies in the Nordic countries reflect a strong commitment to sustainability, however with varying degrees of emphasis on social aspects. Community well-being, social equity, cultural preservation and possible local benefits are key social themes in these policies. There are discussions on benefits contributing back to the hosting community, that the benefits of tourism are distributed fairly among different community groups, including marginalised populations, and that tourism development aligns with the terms of the local community. However, the operationalisation of socially sustainable tourism varies, with some policies setting broad goals and others providing more detailed actions. Overall, there is a growing recognition of the importance of the social dimension in sustainable tourism development in the Nordic region. How to measure this systematically is however not conceptualised in depth and effective measurement resources are often lacking.
The main social indicators for measuring the impacts of tourism in the Nordic regions, at least at the policy level, include community well-being, social equity, and cultural preservation. Community well-being encompasses the overall quality of life for local residents, including access to public infrastructure and services like healthcare, education, and recreational facilities. Social equity focuses on the fair distribution of tourism benefits the community and different community groups. Cultural preservation involves tracking the conservation of cultural heritage sites and traditional practices. These indicators help capture the complex impacts of tourism on local communities and visitors, providing a better understanding of the social dynamics influenced by tourism. However, measuring social impacts can be challenging due to the complexity and evolving nature of social sustainability, as well as potential data gaps and inconsistencies.
Understanding social attitudes, wellbeing, tolerance and how communities generally view increased tourism activities is crucial, as they significantly influence the success and acceptance of tourism initiatives. Nordic countries and regions can learn from each other by sharing best practices and experiences in sustainable tourism development. There is a common understanding of the importance of community engagement, cultural integrity, equity, stakeholder collaboration, and the well-being of the local population in the context of sustainable tourism. By focusing on the key social indicators that have been addressed in this research and creating operational strategies to include social aspects in tourism development, the Nordic countries can ensure that tourism development is not only economically viable but also socially inclusive and culturally respectful, contributing to an increasing overall sustainability of the tourism development in the region.