Sustainable and Responsible Management in Tourism (Distinction Criteria)

This report discusses the concepts, theories and principles of sustainable and responsible management in tourism. It covers the treatment of destinations versus tourism and hospitality organisations, as well as the processes and practices of these concepts in the tourism and hospitality industry. The report also highlights the importance of maintaining cultural heritage and diversity, and generating employment opportunities for local communities.

Sustainable and
Responsible Management
in Tourism

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Approaches that considers the cultural, economical and environmental effect of tourism
activities on current and future generations are termed as sustainable tourism. In modern era, it is
considered essential to keep environment healthy, preserve local culture and maintain harmony
between local societies and wildlife. Sustainable management of tourism addresses needs of
tourists, sectors, nature and host societies while taking into account impact of activities on
environment (Camilleri, ed., 2019). It assists in socio economic advantages to communities who
live in tourists destinations by preserving heritage of culture. Similarly, responsible management
practices helps in improving quality of life and conserve culture as well as environment of places
that are mostly travelled. It results in reducing negative environmental, economical, social
impacts and creates greater economic advantages for local communities as well as enhances
working conditions of tourism sector. While sustainable tourism is a approach of travelling and
exploring a place as tourist with respecting people, their culture as well as environment of
destination. Responsible tourism emphasis more on creating better places to reside and to visit
while aiming at changes in short term.
This report covers the concepts, theories and principles of sustainable and responsible
management and how are these linked to each other. It highlights treatment of destinations
versus tourism and hospitality organisations as well as process and practices of concepts applied
in tourism and hospitality industry.
MAIN BODY
Sustainable management of tourism is type of tourism that addresses needs of tourists, it
industry, host societies without negatively impacting future generations. It is associated with
tourism that is viable economically and do not destroy or waste resources on which upcoming
generations are depend. It is imitative of general concept of sustainable development that strives
to put on less impact on local culture and environment (Dube, Nhamo and Chikodzi, 2020). It is
seen a both culturally and ecologically sensitive. Sustainable tourism's concept gives broad
concept for development of ecotourism initiatives. Making optimum utilisation of environmental
resources which are scarce in nature which forms a key factor in tourism development while
keeping essential ecological processes and assisting to conserve biodiversity and natural heritage.
It esteems socio cultural authenticity of host societies, preserves their living and built cultural
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heritage as well as values of traditions. It also bestows to inter cultural comprehending and
endurance.
It ensures viable, long term economic activities which provides socio economic
advantages to all stakeholders which are reasonably apportioned comprising stable employment
and income earning opportunities as well as social services to host societies. It strives to see
pursuit of of sustainable tourism development as comprising of social, environmental and
economic objectives. Its aim is to address the threats which may transform into unmanaged
tourism. Sustainable tourism maintains relationship between host community, their habitat,
people and holidaymakers and tourism industry (Goodwin, 2019). Sustainable tourism focuses
on reconciling tensions between parties involved in tourism and maintain equilibrium in long
run. In addition to that, it takes steps to eliminate environmental and cultural damage, enhance
tourists satisfaction and maximise economic growth for certain region in long run. Concept of
sustainable tourism serves as robust element to counter negative influence of tourism industry.
Principles of sustainable tourism ensures sustainability in tourism industry as it
allows to jointly agree on sustainability principles. These principles highlights improvement of
commitment of sites and their activities to sustainable operations. In recent times, the need for
growing recognition of value of traditional urban management which includes transportation,
land, economic development etc. with need to sustainably plan for tourism. The preservation,
sustainable and optimum utilisation natural, social and cultural resources is important as it helps
in making long term business profitability (Hall, 2019). This also lays emphasis on facilitating
tourists on how to effectively handle available resources. It puts undue force on eliminating over
consumption and waste which aids in avoiding costs of restoring environmental harm in long
term that further contributes in standard quality of tourism. Sustaining and boosting natural,
social and cultural diversity is crucial for sustainable tourism for long time and makes a
adaptable base for tourism industry.
Tourism development which is embedded in local and national strategic planning and
which take on environmental influence evaluation helps in maximising long term viability of
tourism. Tourism that assist broad range of local economic activities and which addresses
environmental costs and values protects these economies and obviate damage of environment.
The full engagement of local societies in tourism industry profits them and environment and also
enhances quality of experience and satisfaction of tourists. Research between tourism sector and
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local societies, enterprises and institutions are important when they work in unison to figure out
potential misunderstanding of interest. It is also important to consult the sustainable tourism
practices with public and stakeholders to maintain harmony. Training of workforce in tourism
industry which facilitates sustainable tourism to transform into practices along with hiring of
individuals at all stages resulted in enhancing quality of tourism industry products and services.
Advertising that gives tourists full, detailed and responsible information can lead to increase
respect and value for natural, social and cultural environment of destination places and improves
tourists satisfaction (Higgins-Desbiolles, 2020). Current research and tracking of tourism
industry by adopting effective data procurement and analysis to aid solve challenges and to
bring efficient benefits to destinations, sector and tourists. Establishment between local
businesses and tourism helps in providing quality employment opportunities to local residents
which increases chances of economic development.
With respect to concept and principles, sustainable tourism also have three dimensions
which helps in increasing positive effects and reducing negative. Environmental Dimension
attribute broadly comprises of natural resources, natural environment, farmed environment,
wildlife and build environment. Tourism utilises variety of natural resources and main attraction
of destination's products is on fresh air, water, land etc (Jamal and Camargo, 2018). Natural
landscapes highlights center of tourism products in several areas involving forests, mountains
and regions which pulls in tourists because of rivers and lakes. Wildlife has also range of
dimensions namely land based mammals, flora, fish etc. Tourism can result in being harmful to
wildlife by demolition of habitat, impacting feeding patterns, intervene in breeding habits and
tourist plucking rare plants.
Economic Dimension of tourism is economically variable as it is major sector which
earns foreign currency. It provides basis for growth of several international corporations. It
contributes significant amount in annual disposition income. Sustainable tourism adds to
economy by job creation, injection of income into local societies by applying multiplier effect
and aids in keeping local businesses viable. Social Dimension covers socio cultural impact of
tourism which takes place in long time and can not be seen immediately (Kim, Whitford and
Arcodia, 2019). The social effect of tourism is permanent in nature with low chances to rearward
changes once they take place. Factors which can decide the impact of sustainable tourism
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considers strength and connection of local society and culture. It also considers degree of
economic and social development of host residents in terms of tourists.
The global risk of climate change, reduction in natural resources and significant socio
economic inequalities are encouraging organisation and individuals to examine effects they are
putting on natural economic and social environment. As tourism sectors depends heavily on
sustained beauty and hospitality of destinations and societies it operates in, it has the
responsibility of maintaining positive and negative impacts. The concept of responsible tourism
is concerned with creating better places for individuals to reside in and excellent destinations for
people to visit. It needed to take in operators, government, hoteliers, locals and tourists to take on
full responsibility of making tourism more sustainable (Mandić, 2020). Characteristics of
responsible tourism comprises reducing negative economic, social and environmental impact and
produces maximum benefits for local communities as well as improves their well being. It
facilitates affirmative contributions to preservation of natural and cultural heritage and maintains
world's diversity. Travelling responsibly not only impact positively destinations but also
provides tourists with better experiences. It involves various activities on tourists part like
utilising reusable bags, save electricity, do not use plastics, conserve water and not litter waste.
Principles of responsible tourism are associated with increasing benefits of tourism
while reducing issues and challenges it may create. The coalition between tourism and local
communities is undertaking a shared global mission which is to place destinations requirements
at core of tourism's future. Several principles gives a clear and moral business vision for creating
responsible tourism industry while simultaneously safe guarding place and people in depends on.
Recognising that tourism industry includes destinations as whole including its ecosystems,
natural resources, cultural assets and traditions of societies and helps them in maintaining their
infrastructure. Utilising sustainability standards and valuing the publicly available,
transactionally approved least criteria for responsible tourism practices for industry, tourists and
destinations (Moneva, Bonilla-Priego and Ortas, 2020). It must strives to develop all tourism
activities by collaborative management structure with equivalent engagement by government,
private sector and civil society enterprises that highlights diversity in societies. Choosing quality
over quantity can manage tourism development and improve travel experience while responsibly
handling destination and benefiting local societies.
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Tourism sector tends to follow out laid scientific consensus on required reductions in
greenhouse gas emissions. Responsible tourism should contributes in investing green
infrastructure and quick decrease in transport emission includes in tourism activities. It should
take steps to turn away from using disposable plastics by tourism industry practices and
transform into more circular resources. Encouraging resilient domestic tourism and makes it
more robust to counter challenges and drives perceived importance of citizens of their own
cultural and natural heritage. Responsible tourism involves promoting tourism policies and
practices which protects natural and scenic assets (Musavengane, 2019). It allows to retain and
improving identity and distinctiveness of destination. Incentives tourism businesses to support
responsible tourism businesses by actions and creates robust local supply chain which facilitates
higher quality experiences and products. It ensures that tourism support facilitates are compatible
with environment so that it do not harm or damage in longer run.
Responsible tourism practices involves leaving no ecological trace behind and keep a destination
as it was before visiting.
Tourism and hospitality organisation follows concepts of sustainable and responsible
tourism to contribute in making it more impactful. Tourism organisation end goal is to minimise
impact of tourism activities on local societies and environment. For this purpose, organisations
optimally utilise resources to avoid over consumption and helps to responsibly provides services
to tourists. For instance, Hays Travel which is an independent travel agent in England, provides
package holidays to customers considering in focus the concept of sustainability and responsible
tourism (Hays Travel, 2022). The organisation makes necessary steps in making travelling more
eco friendly. The company collaborate with many amazing hotels, spectacular cruise ships and
airlines all around world to contribute in action of go green. They emphasis more on resorts and
hotels which are paving their way by going green while keeping holiday luxuries. It allows
tourists with incredible beaches, diverse culture, exotic wildlife and food so that they can enjoy
local products and services as well as contribute in their economic development. Hays Travel
strives to provide accommodation nestled among tree tops and jungle camps which are built from
bamboo and renewable materials in luxury tree house which provides sustainability at its core.
The organisation have implemented be green policy across their business activities.
Tourism activities relies on natural and cultural resources which attracts visitors and
poses as main element of growth and development in tourism industry. Organisation that adopts
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sustainable and responsible tourism practices stand out from others. In recent era, tourists,
restaurants, shoppers etc. puts due emphasis on sustainability facilitating hospitality organisation
to adopts to sustainability principles. Hotels plays a big role in sustainable tourism as when
demand for tourism grows, demand for hotels also drives up. Sustainable tourism practices and
ethical development of hotels for long term preservation of culture and economic factors.
Hospitality organisations also plays significant role in creating viable operational principles and
educating customers about sustainable behaviours. For instance, Hyatt Hotel collaborates with
several owners and developers to design, renovate and build more efficient and lower impact
hotels to address sustainable tourism (Banerji, 2021). The organisation is engaged in food waste
prevention program and zero waste to landfill as well as introduced new plant forward to
establish itself as responsible tourism provider. Hyatt Hotel takes steps towards identifying areas
of important functions of departments such as housekeeping, sales, marketing etc. in terms with
sustainable ways that can impact sustainability development goals. The organisation is involved
in judicious utilisation of energy by transforming into clean energy. It also implemented timer
switches and thermostatic radiator valves to control output system of heating and opts for low
energy lightings. Water recycling methods adopted by Hyatt Hotel has proven to be core of
sustainability efforts with initiatives like rainwater harvesting. As tourism is major contributor in
boosting country's economy, these adaptions helps Hyatt Hotel to promote sustainable practices
across all its hotels. The hotel also tries to serve local and seasonal food options to tourists and
focuses on treating all equally, community engagement and responsible marketing. Hyatt Hotel
management encourages their guests to donate to local conservatives groups as well as provide
information to tourists about conservation efforts and local community to promote responsible
tourism.
Travel, tourism and hospitality organisation all plays significant part in maintaining
sustainability of tourism and establish themselves as responsible tourism sectors. Travel and
tourism organisations strive to provide services to tourists by providing them full and detailed
information about destination they are travelling (Saarinen, 2018). Tourists who have full
knowledge of destinations proves to be more responsible tourists than who do not investigate in
prior about destinations. For instance, Hays Travel provides all data about attractions for visitors
to provides them with extensive knowledge about social and culture surroundings of destination
and how they can help in contributing sustainable tourism. Tourism companies should make
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steps in direction of creating better better places for tourists and better places for residents to
live. They tried to make harmony among visitors and local communities by establishing
relationship between them. They positively contributes in maintaining cultural heritage of
destinations diversity. Sustainable tourism firms generates large number of employment
opportunities for local people resulting in driving their economy. They take necessary steps to
mitigate environment negative impact from tourism activities as well as improve satisfaction and
experience of tourists.
Travel organisation are responsible to encourage low emission travelling and follows all
rules and regulations created in terms of sustainable and responsible tourism. For example, Hays
Travel provides travel facilitates via rail and air both at competitive prices. The company adopts
creative ticketing system with advance market technologies. They provide services which are
fast in nature and resulted in low negative impact on environment. Also, the rail system is
another flexible way to use in tourism which assists organisation to establish themselves as
environment friendly firm. Hays Travel adopts corporate travel in policy controlled environment
as delivers significant environmental benefits. It also results in saving fares and allowing tourists
to travel responsibly. The firm provides car rental to its customers too which are operated on
electricity resulting in not leading to negatively contributing in environmental impact. Airlines
associated with Hays Travel pledges to reduce its carbon emission low and share their part in
sustainable and responsible tourism. Tourism organisation can provide visitors with the
opportunity to book trips in remote areas to promote their social and cultural attributes
(Saarinen, 2019). They can also recruit local people for car services, accommodation, site seeing
guide etc. to boost employment of those areas.
Hospitality organisation plays a vital part in maintaining tourism sustainable by
undertaking ways to maintain environment impact of tourism activities. These organisation must
treat destinations responsibly which can be done by providing its customers on the specified
rules and regulations about certain places and the accepted set of behaviours. For example, Hyatt
Hotel encourage its customers to eliminate single use plastics and adopts more renewable
options. The firm encourages customers to leave no ecological footprints behind and engage in
more responsible tourism. The management source its raw materials from sustainable suppliers
and adopts green cleaning suppliers. Hyatt Hotel also develops various recycling programmes to
aware its guest about sustainable tourism. Organisations that takes into full view of existing and
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future economic, environmental and social influence as well as efficiently address requirements
of visitors and tourism industry helps in sustaining tourism. They also takes necessary steps in
minimising water wastage and reducing water consumption with aim to diminish destructive
impact on environment. Adopting sustainable principles puts affirmative impact on visitors
experience and their chances of returning. Implementing green energy results in better loyalty
and great customer satisfaction (Sharpley, 2020). It assists in enhancing brand image which
provides them competitive advantage that further maximise its recognition in tourists mind.
Sustainable and responsible tourism principles also aids in maximising productivity of
hospitality organisations and reduce its costs.
CONCLUSION
As per the information presented above, it has been concluded that sustainable and
responsible tourism are major factors in protecting the environment, wildlife, natural habitat and
resources. It provides socio economic advantages to societies who reside in tourists destination
as well as increases job opportunities for them. Sustainable tourism helps in conserving cultural
heritage and generates authentic experiences for visitors. The main focus of responsible tourism
is to maximise benefits and minimises negative influence caused by tourism in certain
destinations. It also provides bases for engagement of tourists, residents and organisations with
destination. Benefits of sustainable tourism is that it results in lower ecological impact and
allows wildlife the freedom they deserve. It aids in making environment clean and facilitate
tourists to become more responsible and conscious of their choices.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Camilleri, M. A. ed., 2019. Tourism planning and destination marketing. Bingley: Emerald
Publishing.
Dube, K., Nhamo, G. and Chikodzi, D., 2020. Climate change-induced droughts and tourism:
Impacts and responses of Western Cape province, South Africa. Journal of Outdoor
Recreation and Tourism, p.100319.
Goodwin, H., 2019. Barcelona-crowding out the locals: a model for tourism
management. Overtourism: Issues, realities and solutions. 1. pp.125-38.
Hall, C. M., 2019. Constructing sustainable tourism development: The 2030 agenda and the
managerial ecology of sustainable tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 27(7).
pp.1044-1060.
Higgins-Desbiolles, F., 2020. The “war over tourism”: Challenges to sustainable tourism in the
tourism academy after COVID-19. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 29(4). pp.551-569.
Jamal, T. and Camargo, B. A., 2018. Tourism governance and policy: Whither justice?. Tourism
management perspectives. 25. pp.205-208.
Kim, S., Whitford, M. and Arcodia, C., 2019. Development of intangible cultural heritage as a
sustainable tourism resource: the intangible cultural heritage practitioners’
perspectives. Journal of Heritage Tourism. 14(5-6). pp.422-435.
Mandić, A., 2020. Structuring challenges of sustainable tourism development in protected
natural areas with driving force–pressure–state–impact–response (DPSIR)
framework. Environment Systems and Decisions. 40(4). pp.560-576.
Moneva, J. M., Bonilla-Priego, M. J. and Ortas, E., 2020. Corporate social responsibility and
organisational performance in the tourism sector. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 28(6).
pp.853-872.
Musavengane, R., 2019. Small hotels and responsible tourism practice: Hoteliers’
perspectives. Journal of cleaner production. 220. pp.786-799.
Saarinen, J., 2018. Beyond growth thinking: the need to revisit sustainable development in
tourism. Tourism Geographies. 20(2). pp.337-340.
Saarinen, J., 2019. Communities and sustainable tourism development: Community impacts and
local benefit creation in tourism. In A research agenda for sustainable tourism. Edward
Elgar Publishing.
Sharpley, R., 2020. Tourism, sustainable development and the theoretical divide: 20 years
on. Journal of sustainable tourism. 28(11). pp.1932-1946.
Tölkes, C., 2018. Sustainability communication in tourism–A literature review. Tourism
Management Perspectives. 27. pp.10-21.
Yu, L., Wang, G. and Marcouiller, D. W., 2019. A scientometric review of pro-poor tourism
research: Visualization and analysis. Tourism Management Perspectives. 30. pp.75-88.
Online:
Hays Travel. 2022. HAPPY EARTH DAY: GO GREEN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!. 2022
[Online]. Available through: <https://www.haystravel.co.uk/blog/city-breaks/happy-earth-day-
go-green-this-holiday-season>
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Banerji. G. 2021. Hyatt Launches Environmental, Social, Governance Platform, "World of
Care". 2021 [Online]. Available through: <https://www.travelagentcentral.com/hotels/hyatt-
launches-world-care>
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