SOAR Framework as a New Model for the Strategic Planning of Sustainable Tourism

Abstract

Planning of sustainable tourism development actually concerns planning of the environment preservation, and it encompasses a variety of research and analysis before making a decision on determining the direction of any development. This concept involves balanced economic, social, and cultural developments without endangering the environment, which enables the development at the same or a higher level. On the other hand, the strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and results (SOAR) framework enhances strategic planning and implementation of processes by using a positive guiding approach to inquire into strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and measurable results. This study, with the aim of providing a suitable framework for sustainable tourism development, introduces the SOAR framework as a strategic model that is compatible with the different aspects of sustainable development including economic, social, cultural, and environmental aspects. Finally, as a new SOAR framework compatible with tourism studies, the model provides economic, social, cultural, and environmental points of view at each level that may be postulated in a SOAR framework (i.e. strengths, opportunities, apparitions, and results).