Sustainability in Action: Management Strategies for Sustainable Tourism in Low Density Territories

Tourism enterprises operating in low‐density territories face distinctive sustainability challenges arising from limited resources, demographic constraints and the need to preserve endogenous natural and cultural assets. This study examines how sustainability is integrated into the strategic management of tourism enterprises in Mondim de Basto, an officially classified low‐density territory in Portugal. A qualitative multiple‐case study was conducted through semi‐structured e‐mail interviews with 18 owners and managers of tourism enterprises, and the resulting data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Six main thematic patterns emerged: conceptions of sustainability; sustainable practices; motivations and barriers; community involvement and local identity; strategic management and market adaptation; and sustainability and competitiveness. The findings show that sustainability is increasingly recognized by managers as a multidimensional and strategic concern, although its implementation remains predominantly informal and uneven. Resource efficiency, local sourcing, renewable energy, community engagement and preservation of territorial identity were among the main practices identified, while financial constraints, limited technical knowledge and insufficient institutional support emerged as important barriers. Managers also perceive sustainability as contributing to differentiation, reputation and customer loyalty, although these effects are not systematically measured through performance indicators. The study contributes to the sustainable tourism literature by integrating strategic, territorial and managerial dimensions within a low‐density context and provides practical implications for tourism enterprises and policymakers seeking to strengthen sustainable and resilient local tourism development.