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Although the sustainable development philosophy has been widely recognized, it is still necessary to weigh the economic, environmental and social implications of tourism development. The decision is often difficult involving typically complex multi-criteria decision making problems. This study aims to contribute a theoretical framework and approach for the determination of top priorities in tourism development and making decisions based upon that approach. Taking Xizang as a case, this study explores the means to weigh and realize tourism development goals during the ‘13th Five-Year Plan’ period, using the analytic network process within a goal programming model. Results show that there are 10 criteria and nine decision variables determined in Xizang's sustainable tourism development and the priorities in Xizang's tourism development should be: 1) economic goals, 2) social goals, and 3) environmental goals. In addition, using the analytic network process-goal programming model, this paper provides the solution of the decision problem for two years, namely 2016 and 2020, and discusses the significance of the results. This study concludes that in a newly-emerging tourism but otherwise economically and socially backward region like Xizang, considering the economy first and the environment last is both appropriate and practicable. It is suggested that Xizang's tourism managers should implement specific strategies to raise the GDP, encourage higher levels of consumption by tourists and appropriately restrict the growth in the number of tourist coming to the area. Other goals should be to improve tourism research and the treatment of tourism employees and provide more support for tourism enterprises. The interdisciplinary approach from a systems perspective used in this study can be used to judge, queen and select numerous goals and criteria to make decisions in sustainable tourism development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change problems have become a worldwide concern. In response to containing global climate change, there has been a proliferation of theories and policies aimed at driving tourism towards 'low-carbon tourism'. The problem becomes even greater if turning to cities. Constructing a low-carbon tourism city requires a comprehensive understanding of urban low-carbon tourism development rather than solely focusing on targets limited to CO 2 emissions and energy reduction. However, much of the focus of research to date has not been on this key issue. Here this study constructed indicators to evaluate low-carbon tourism development in a tourism-based urban destination. A total of 33 indicators were identified using the fuzzy Delphi method. Then, the weights of these indicators were determined using the analytic network process. The evaluation model made it possible to convert the subjective qualitative characteristics of low-carbon tourism, the implied mutual influences between the numerous indicators, and development demands into integrated quantitative values to guide actual low-carbon tourism development. The presented research process and results could provide a reference for relevant policy making in tourism-based urban destinations worldwide. • This study evaluated the low-carbon development level in the TBUDs. • This study selected a total of 33 indicators through the FDM approach. • The weights of these indicators were determined using the ANP method. • This study took Lhasa and Guilin as the case study regions. • The evaluation model can be applicable for all the TBUDs worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]