Stakeholders’ perception of the sustainability of a tourism destination : a methodological framework to find out relationships and similarity of opinions

Purpose: This study aims to examine the similarity of opinions regarding the stakeholder’s perception about the importance of the different aspects considered when measuring the sustainability of a tourism destination (through the assignment of weights to a previously established system of indicators). Besides, the use of stakeholder analysis networks is validated as a means to understand the different perceptions. Design/methodology/approach: A combination of techniques is used. The stakeholders have been identified using a snowball sample. The network analysis examines the relationships. A power measure based on resource dependency theories is proposed. Possible tensions, as results of different perceptions among individual stakeholders in the context of the measurement of sustainability, are examined using a degree of similarity of opinions based on the Euclidean distance. Findings: Although a large number of stakeholders communicate quite frequently to carry out their activities and believe that they greatly share viewpoints regarding sustainability, the social network analysis reveals that there are significant diversities of opinion. The power indicator and the degree of similarity measure proposed are found to be useful tools for studying the similarities of opinions among the stakeholders. Practical implications: This approach is applied to sustainability governance conditions. Democratic processes are enhanced to measure sustainability. Directions to improve the sustainability of a tourist destination can be provided by achieving a consensus about sustainability policies. The conclusions about the similarities and differences among the perceptions of different stakeholders can be considered in decision-making processes about sustainability. Originality/value: No previous studies have identified and analyzed the stakeholder network from the perspectives of measurement of sustainability of a tourism destination and the degree of similarity of their opinions.