KazNU and PolyU Continue Guest Lecture Series: Dr Nan Chen on Social Sustainability in Over-tourism Destinations

On 10 October 2025, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University hosted the second lecture of the online PolyU–KazNU Guest Lecture Series. The session was delivered by Dr Nan Chen, Assistant Professor at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with a highly engaging and insightful presentation on “Social Sustainability in Over-tourism Destinations.”

The event was jointly organised by the PolyU–KazNU Centre for Sustainable Development in Central Asia and the Department of Recreational Geography and Tourism of the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, KazNU. The session was moderated by the Centre’s Administrative Assistant and Senior Lecturer, Yeldar Nuruly, and drew participation from undergraduate and postgraduate students, doctoral candidates, and faculty members.

Focus of the Lecture

Dr Chen’s lecture explored the social dimensions of sustainability in destinations affected by over-tourism. She discussed how residents’ perceptions, emotions, and attitudes toward tourism development shape the long-term viability of destinations. Emphasising the importance of community well-being and mutual understanding between residents and tourists, Dr Chen introduced several research-based tools to measure and interpret public sentiment, including the Resident Sentiment Index, Ambivalence Barometer, and TOUROMETER - a data-driven platform that analyses online discourse and policy communication related to tourism.

She also presented her research on tourist stereotypes, explaining how perceptions of civility, travel behaviour, and economic power influence social harmony and residents’ support for tourism. Her studies, published in leading journals such as Annals of Tourism Research and Journal of Travel Research, utilised innovative video vignette methodology, where short, realistic video scenarios were used to capture genuine emotional and behavioural responses from participants.

Discussion and Q&A

During the Q&A session, students asked thoughtful and complex questions about the application of sentiment analysis and video vignette methods in tourism studies. Dr Chen provided clear and comprehensive answers, offering valuable insights into data interpretation, research design, and the practical use of these tools in managing tourism pressure and promoting social balance in destinations.

Relevance for KazNU and the Region

Dr Chen’s lecture provided students and faculty with a deeper understanding of how social sustainability can be studied and enhanced through interdisciplinary research. The themes presented are particularly relevant for Central Asia, where tourism growth increasingly intersects with local community well-being and destination management.

Dr Chen’s lecture closely reflected the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those addressing the social dimensions of tourism. The discussion of residents’ well-being, community resilience, and responsible visitor behaviour directly aligns with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The lecture highlighted how social sustainability serves as a foundation for inclusive and balanced tourism development in destinations facing visitor pressure.

Next Steps

Following Dr Chen’s lecture, the series will continue with upcoming sessions led by faculty from PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management, covering topics such as ecotourism and service learning, big data and tourist mobility, and gastronomic tourism.

Acknowledgements

KazNU extends its sincere appreciation to Dr Nan Chen for her informative and inspiring lecture, and to the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, for their ongoing academic collaboration and support within the PolyU–KazNU Guest Lecture Series.