Rethinking sustainable business models in tourism, cultural and creative sectors

This introductory chapter positions the edited volume at the forefront of current scholarly debates on sustainable business models in tourism, cultural, and creative industries. It critically examines the conceptual fragmentation and sector-specific challenges that have limited the effectiveness of existing SBM frameworks in these fields. In response, the chapter introduces the volume’s multidimensional, context-sensitive, and participatory approach, which challenges conventional models that prioritize economic outcomes at the expense of social and environmental value. Building on recent advances in sustainability, innovation, and cultural entrepreneurship research, the chapter presents four interrelated thematic pillars - circular economy and inclusivity, art-based interventions and authenticity, participatory value creation, and regenerative place-making - that collectively inform a more nuanced, empirically grounded, and actionable understanding of sustainable business models. Ultimately, the chapter establishes the volume as a timely resource for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to foster innovation, resilience, and inclusive development within tourism, cultural, and creative ecosystems.