Bridging cultural heritage, sustainable tourism, and collectible design

The relationship between cultural heritage and sustainability has gained increasing attention in recent years (ONU, 2015; UNESCO, 2002). Researchers have explored various dimensions of sustainability in the context of cultural heritage management, including economic, social, and environmental (e.g., Eppich & Grinda, 2019; Foster, 2020; Li et al., 2022). Based on the assessment that sustainable tourism is heavily linked to cultural heritage (Du et al., 2024; Gocer et al., 2024; Madandola & Boussaa, 2023; Rachmawati et al., 2024), this study investigates how collectible design (CD) can be reframed within the sustainable tourism agenda. In fact, as for Codignola-Bo (2025), collectible design goods highly reflect cultural heritage. Initially explored via indepth interviews with CD experts, the concept of sustainability emerged only peripherally. A first-round Delphi survey then revealed more nuanced considerations of environmental, social, and economic sustainability, showing that emphasis on sustainability hinges on question framing. The findings highlight a research gap: CD has received little attention as a bridge between cultural heritage preservation and sustainable tourism. Yet, sustainable tourism aims to balance environmental, socio-cultural, and economic outcomes while conserving heritage values (Buckley, 2012; Guo et al., 2019; Hashemkhani Zolfani et al., 2015; Miller & Torres- Delgado, 2023; Weaver & Lawton, 2007). Cultural heritagebased souvenirs, as locally crafted objects, serve both as tangible expressions of identity and tools for sustainable tourism by promoting community livelihoods, cultural transmission, and reduced carbon footprints through localized production (Gupta & Kumar, 2023; Qiu et al., 2024; Wang & Chen, 2022; Wang et al., 2023). This study argues that cultural heritage- based collectible design items possess these same positive qualities. Building on cultural heritage management sustainability insights and CD literature, this paper develops a novel framework for CD in sustainable tourism contexts. The framework encompasses: 1. Holistic sustainability integration: aligning CD with environmental, social, and economic goals. 2. Lifecycle perspective: considering production, use, recycling, and end-of-life. 3. Authentic heritage content: anchored in local narratives and craftsmanship. 4. Stakeholder engagement: codesign with artisans, communities, tourists, and policymakers. 5. Impact assessment and innovation: evaluating sustainability outcomes and fostering responsible innovation. 6. Market mechanisms: leveraging CD to encourage sustainable consumption within tourism sectors. By conceptualising CD as heritage-driven, its objects can also be understood as sustainable tourism artifacts. With this idea in mind, this study enriches creative fields research and offers actionable insights for designers, marketers, and destination managers. This approach encourages collectible design to become a meaningful tool in fostering sustainable tourism by sustaining heritage, empowering local communities, and reshaping tourist consumption patterns.