INTRODUCTION TO

CHAPTER 9

SUSTAINABILITY

Definition: Is an appealing concept in tourism development but

it has been criticized for being impractical.
Main Deficiency: failure to identify the specific tasks that each
stakeholder group must do to attain it.
2
3
“ The UNWTO adopted the Global Code of Ethics
for Tourism in 1999, which is comprehensive set
of principles designed to guide the actions of
“
government, the private sector, communities, and
tourists alike in order to maximize tourism’s
benefits and minimize its cost on destinations.
Promoting Responsible Tourism at the International Level: Global Code of
Ethics
Article 1: Tourism’s
contribution to
mutual understanding
and respect between
people and societies
 Underscores the necessity of ethical values,
tolerance, and respect for diversity as the
foundation for responsible tourism.
 It advocates mutual respect for each other’s
practices and customs by tourists and host
communities.
 Emphasizes the responsibility of public
authorities to provide security for tourists
and visitors and their belongings.
Article 2: Tourism as a
vehicle for individual
and collective
fulfillment
 Recognizes the value of tourism for
self-education, mutual tolerance,
and learning about human and
cultural diversity.
 This article states that tourism
should respect the equality of men
and women and promote human
rights.
 It also forbids the sexual
exploitation of human beings.
Article 3: Tourism, a
factor of sustainable
development
 Stresses the role of all stakeholders in
sustainable tourism development,
and the prioritization of forms of
tourism development that helps
conserve the environment.
 To minimize the negative impacts of
tourism, tourism flows must be
programmed in both time and space,
tourism infrastructure be
appropriately designed, and carrying
capacity of sites be observed.
Promoting Responsible Tourism at the International Level: Global Code of
Ethics
Article 4: Tourism, a
user of the cultural
heritage of mankind
and contributor to its
enhancement
 underscores the need to craft
policies and activities that will
preserves artistic, archaeological,
historical, and cultural sites for the
benefit of present and future
generations
Article 5: Tourism, a Article 6: Obligations
beneficial activity for of stakeholders in
host countries and tourism
communities development
 Highlights the importance of
enabling local populations to share
equitably in the benefits of tourism  Discusses the
they generate, especially in terms of
direct and indirect jobs resulting
responsibilities of tourism
from them. professionals, public
authorities, and the media.
 Tourism policies should help raise
their standard of living, and tourism
planning and development should
integrate them to the local
economic and social fabric.
Promoting Responsible Tourism at the International Level: Global Code of
Ethics
Article 7: Right to
Tourism
 This article emphasizes the right to
tourism for all people which should
be promoted.
 Social tourism, family, youth,
student and senior tourism, and
tourism for people with disabilities
should be encouraged and
facilitated.
Article 8: Liberty of Article 9: Rights of the
tourist movements workers and
entrepreneurs in the
tourism industry
 According to the article, people
should have the liberty to travel
within their countries and to other
countries.  This article talks about the
rights and duties of tourism
 Tourists must be allowed to go to workers and entrepreneurs,
places to transit and stay free from including multinational
excessive formalities or
discrimination.
companies.
 The confidentiality of tourists'
personal data and information must
be protected.
Promoting Responsible Tourism at the International Level: Global Code of
Ethics

Article 10:
Implementation of
the principles of
the Global Code of
Ethics for Tourism
 This involves cooperation between
the public and private stakeholders
in tourism development.

 This includes the need for

stakeholders to demonstrate their
intention to refer any disputes
concerning the application or
interpretation of the Global Code of
Ethics for Tourism to the World
Committee on Tourism Ethics.
9
CORE
1. Site Protection
INDICATORS 2. Stress
OF 3. Use Intensity
SUSTAINABLE 4. Social Impact
5. Development Control
TOURISM
6. Waste Management
From the book: 7. Planning Process
“A Practical Guide for the 8. Critical Ecosystems
Development and Application of
Indicators of Sustainable 9. Consumer Satisfaction
Tourism”
10.Local Satisfaction
Published by UNWTO on 1996
 The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for Destinations of the
Global Sustainable Council covers the following:

Section C:
Section B:
Maximize Benefits to
Maximize Economic Benefits to Communities, Visitors, and
the Host Community and Culture; Minimize Negative
Minimize Negative Impacts Impacts
Section D:
Section A:
Maximize Benefits to the
Demonstrate Sustainable Environment and Minimize
Destination Managements Negative Impacts
12
 The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for Hotel and Tour
Operators:

Section A: Section B: Section C: Section D:

Demonstrate Effective Maximize Social and Maximize Benefits to Maximize Benefits to
Sustainable Economic Benefits to the Cultural Heritage and the Environment and
Management Local Community and Minimize Negative Minimize Negative
Minimize Negative Impacts Impacts
Impacts

13
Indicators which may be used for Monitoring
Sustainable Tourism Development:
Economic Indicators
Tourism revenues; Average tourist expenditure; Tax from tourism; Number of registered tourism
business; Inflation/ price index tourist area; Profitability of tourism establishment; Stability and
diversity of market; Tourism employment

Environmental Indicators
Presence of infrastructure to manage and minimize solid and liquid waste; Water
quality index for fresh water and marine/beach water; Air quality index; Percent of
popular exposed to noise and light pollution

Socio-Cultural Indicators
Numbers of locals selling products to tourist or supplying store; Number of
tourism business operated and manage by local people’s organizations and
cooperatives; Number of private tourism business employing local people

Institutional Indicators
Presence of tourism master plans which incorporate sustainable principles;
Number of sites with sustainable tourism master plan; presence of inter-agency
coordination and cooperation; Presence of land use and zoning plans
15
The UN Global Compact

Get a modern PowerPoint

It is a set of principles that enable companies to Presentation that is
beautifully designed.
operate within a culture of integrity, enabling them
to uphold their environmental and social
responsibilities and attain long-term viability.

It is a comprehensive approach to corporate

sustainability.
 There are 10 UN Global Compact
Principles
These principles were derived from: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at
Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the United Nations
Convention Against Corruption.
10 UN Global Compact Principles
Human Rights
1. Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed
human rights;
2. Make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Labor
3. Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition
of the right to collective bargaining;
4. The elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labor;
5. The effective abolition of child labor; and
6. The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Environment
7. Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
8. Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
9. Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-Corruption
10. Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and
bribery.
19
Aspects of sustainability that have been adopted by
the national tourism organizations in the ASEAN:

Integrating the principles of Promoting domestic tourism, which is

sustainability into the national effective at spreading tourism income
tourism planning in rural areas

Developing tourism products that are Incorporating sustainable principles

generally environment friendly, and into accreditation standards for
pro-poor, such as ecotourism and tourism establishments
agri-tourism

Promoting “holiday economics” which Supporting the upgrading of tourism

is the practice of celebrating a public education through the ASEAN Mutual
holiday on the nearest Friday or Recognition Arrangements for
Monday, thereby inducing travel on Tourism Professionals
the long weekends;
Aspects of sustainability that have been adopted by
the national tourism organizations in the ASEAN:

Maximizing the use of local financial, Collecting environmental fees (e.g.,

human, and material resources Boracay)

Promoting local ownership, livelihood

opportunities, individual initiatives, Historical site conservation
and self-reliance (e.g., local guides)

Imposing carrying capacity limits at Zoning for camping, cooking, and

tourist sites parking
22
23
 CONDUCT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT ASSESMENT
• It is part of the sustainable
tourism efforts which is about
the construction of tourism
establishments.

DENR-DOT Memorandum
Circular 98-02 (Guidelines
for Ecotourism Development
in the Philippines)
• It provides for the regulation and
accreditation of developers and
investors in ecotourism projects.
 Hotel inns and similar accommodation within
or near urban centers or built-up areas with
Tourism projects less than 20 rooms with eating facilities
falling under the
following Hotel , Cottages, motels, and lodging
categories require houses with ten to 15 rooms with minimum
Initial facilities/ amenities for resting and eating
Environmental and some recreation activities located in rural
Evaluation (IEE) areas, small islands, beaches and mountain
prior to the areas with high scenic or outstanding and
issuance of an cultural features.
Environmental
Compliance Ecotourism in unique areas/historical-
Certificate by the cultural sites or protected areas under National
DENR: Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act.
Protected areas include strict nature reserves,
natural parks, natural monument, wildlife
sanctuaries, protected landscapes and
seascapes, resource reserves, among others.
26
Voluntary Initiatives and Certification
It is another aspect of sustainable tourism practices which covers:

codes of conduct
ecolabels and certifications schemes

charters for sustainable tourism

prizes & awards
self-commitments

environmental management system self-declaration

 VISTs (Voluntary Initiatives for Sustainable Tourism)

IT AIMS TO:

1 4
3
Raise awareness Raise standards of
2 Identify, stimulate, performance in
of problems and replicate good
Willingness to tourism
practices
improve
• Are not profit-oriented & promote open ECOLABELS
access
• They provide a review and update of
environmental criteria & categories
• Codes of conduct – refer to guidelines
outlining ethics, philosophies, principles,
& practices for the tourism industry
Some of the  Global Sustainable Tourism Council
popular (GSTC)
VISTs in the • Aims to increase sustainable tourism
world knowledge and practices among public
and private stakeholders.

Two sets of GSTC Criteria

• Destination Criteria (GSTC-D)
• Hotel & Tour Operator Criteria(GSTC-
H&TO)
Some of the
popular PATA Green Leaf Program / APEC-
VISTs in the PATA Code for Sustainable Tourism
world
• Started certifying in 1995 but originally
implemented in 1992
• An ecolabel for all types of tourism
companies
• Later on, it merged with Green Globe 21
Some of the PATA Green Leaf Program / APEC-
popular PATA Code for Sustainable Tourism
VISTs in the
world • The Green Leaf certification process
begins with a self-evaluation survey,
followed by a Green Leaf assessment and
verification. Hotels earn from one to five
Green Leaves based upon the hotel's
commitment to energy saving, waste
reduction, water and resource
conservation, and pollution prevention
Some of the
popular Green Globe
VISTs in the • established in 1994 by the World Travel
world and Tourism Council.
• Green Globe looks at behavioral facility
and product issues at the hotel
• Green Globe Certified businesses have to
be re-assessed and re-certified yearly, as
additional requirements must be met
Some of the
popular Green Globe
VISTs in the • The Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at
world Ravinia is Green Globe-certified.
It has sustainable features, such as
Green Meetings, a linen reuse program,
low-flow showerheads and sink faucets in
all guest rooms, and biodegradable
cleaning chemicals.
 The Code of Conduct for the Protection
Some of the
popular of Children from Sexual Exploitation in
VISTs in the Travel and Tourism
world • initiated in 1998 by ECPAT Sweden and
further developed starting 1999 by other
ECPAT national organizations
• In Thailand, TAT supports ECPAT and
AccorHotels poster campaign to educate
guests to protecting children from
prostitution and the penalties for
infractions.
Some of the
popular ISO 14001 (International
VISTs in the
Organization for
world
Standardization)
• Made up of about 20 documents
related to environmental
management systems (EMS) and
environmental management tools.
Some of the Energy Star
popular • created by the U.S. Environmental
VISTs in the
Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce
world
energy consumption and greenhouse
gas emissions
• EPA's online benchmarking system,
Portfolio Manager, allows building
owners and managers to monitor
their energy usage on a monthly
basis.
Some of the Green Seal
popular
• a recognized brand for hotels & more than
VISTs in the
40 product categories and services.
world
• To qualify for Green Seal certification, a
hotel must prove sustainable practices in
waste minimization, reuse and recycling:
energy efficiency, conservation, and
management; fresh water resource
management; wastewater management;
hazardous substances management; and
environmentally sensitive purchasing.
Some of the Leadership in Energy and
popular Environmental Design (LEED)
VISTs in the
world • is the gold standard for green building
construction in the U.S.
• Provides third-party certification for
integrated assessment of energy and
water conservation, CO2 emissions,
indoor environmental quality, and
protection of resources.
Some of the Leadership in Energy and
popular Environmental Design (LEED)
VISTs in the • The program is based on a strict 110-point scale
world that assigns four levels of certification based on
the points the building earns:
 Certified
 Silver
 Gold, or
 Platinum
• Properties can also earn bonus points for
innovation in design and for implementing
region-specific features.
Some of the
popular EcoRooms & EcoSuites
VISTs in the
world • is the only certification program
that requires 100% compliance
with all eight of their criteria,
including smoke-free guest rooms
• the most stringent certification
program in the industry
42
 Tourism Awards and Accreditation
FIVE MAJOR CRITERIA:
1. physical attributes like location and
BY GCQP
environment quality

Singapore Tourism Board’s 2. structure and systems related to

Singapore Gold Circle Quality safety and security
Programme accreditation 3. facilities related to comfort
scheme
4. Service Quality like cleanliness,
• sets benchmarks for fair trade hygiene, and reputations
practices, quality of service and
management, facilities and 5. Ongoing maintenance of property
equipment, product development,
industry support and documentation.
44
Tourism Enterprises are Motivated to Implement ‘Responsible Tourism” Guidelines
to:

to reduce costs to maximize

(e.g., through to create a unique comparative
increased selling preposition advantage in the
efficiency) marketplace

45
Tourism Enterprises Promote Responsible Tourism when they:

1 3
2 Forge mutually beneficial
4
Create and promote
employment and business Employ local economic linkages between Endorse fair trade in
opportunities for workers the formal and informal employment and
historically disadvantage sector within the immediate purchasing behavior
individuals small business community

46
 Private tourism enterprises
can encourage tourist to
promote local development
by:
• Providing information, such as the local economy, the
enterprise’s corporate social investment activities, and
current or planned social infrastructure projects

• Demonstrating the impact that a relatively small

amount of money can make to a poor rural household

• Creating opportunities for guests to spend money

locally, and to support local projects, such as opening
a shop that locally produced souvenirs

• Soliciting guest feedback on general impressions,

specific information about visitor expenditure in the
local economy; these feedback can be used to profile
clients and increase return business
 Private tourism enterprises
can encourage tourist to
promote local development
by:
• Sourcing local products and services wherever
quality, quantity, and consistency allow, such as
construction materials, landscaping plants, labor,
specialized guiding, ground transport, garbage
removal, food, furniture, uniforms, soft
furnishings, decorations, soap, candles,
tableware, etc.

• Advising small local businesses (in retail trade)

about requirements for consumables and non-
craft needs.
49
 FAIR TRADE
PRACTICES
The Free Trade in Tourism South Africa
follows six principles for fairly traded
products (Spencely 2002):

1. Equitable share of income by all participants

2. Democratic participation in decision-making
3. Respect by host and visitor for human rights,
culture, and environment
4. Reliability of delivery of services to tourists
5. Transparency of ownership, information, and
sharing of profits, benefits, and losses
6. Sustainability through capacity building,
networking, and partnerships; and economic
viability through responsible resource use
and democratic management
51
Social Responsibility
• Tourism establishments must observe their social
responsibilities.

• They should avoid undertaking activities that

undermine traditional activities of host communities.

• They should be careful not to intrude into sacred

sites and commercialize culturally sensitive events
like weddings and funerals.

• The intellectual property of indigenous people, such

as in weaving, should be recognized and should be
fairly paid for when used.
 Electricity

technologies • Renewable energy systems,

and simple such as solar water heaters,
practices, solar pumps, windmills,
which could photovoltaic systems to power
be utilized by
hotels and
radios, lights, computers, and
resorts to other lower-wattage appliances.
minimize their
carbon • Insulate water boiling units and
footprint. urns to reduce heat loss, and
These include:
install timers so they are only
switched on only when they will
be used.
 Refrigeration

• Use energy-efficient rated fridge

technologies and freezer, which are the
and simple
smallest size appropriate for
practices,
which could your needs.
be utilized by
hotels and • Place the fridge of freezer in
resorts to shade, well-ventilated area and
minimize their
away from cooking equipment to
carbon
footprint. make them work more efficient.
These include:
• Maintain the seals around fridge
and freezer doors.
 Cooking

• Cook with natural gas rather

than electricity to save energy.
technologies
and simple
practices, • Use microwave to cook smaller
which could items of food; it uses around
be utilized by 66% less electricity to heat food
hotels and tan electricity hobs.
resorts to
minimize their
carbon Dishwashing
footprint.
These include: • Purchase low-water and energy-
use dishwashers.

• Operate them only when full.

 Laundry
• Warm wash is more efficient than a
hot wash, and cold water is
technologies suitable if an enzymatic detergent
and simple is used.
practices,
which could • Dry linen outside in good weather
be utilized by
hotels and
resorts to Offices
minimize their • Personal computers use about 100
carbon W when operating. Switch off office
footprint. equipment when not needed.
These include:

• Use energy-saving features on

computers, photocopiers, and
printers (e.g., sleep mode).
 Lighting
• Turn lights off when not in use.

• Decorate rooms in light colors to

technologies reduce the need for lighting.
and simple
practices,
which could • Clean windows and open blinds
be utilized by and curtains to maximize the use
hotels and of natural light.
resorts to
minimize their
Transport
carbon
footprint. • Do not make unnecessary trips.
These include:
• Encourage the use of
environment-friendly transport for
recreation, such as bikes, horses,
canoe.
Waste reduction should be a primary concern for tourism
establishments. They can do the following simple steps.

Kitchens
• Order and prepare food in
relation to guest and staff
requirements to minimize waste
• Donate food waste to pig raisers
• Recycle used cooking oil
Waste reduction should be a primary concern for tourism
establishments. They can do the following simple steps.

Laundry & Housekeeping

• Buy concentrated detergents in
bulk as they use less packaging
• Purchase biodegradable
products
Waste reduction should be a primary concern for tourism
establishments. They can do the following simple steps.

Office
• Reduce paper wastes by using
email or central notice
whiteboards
• Proofread documents on the
computer before printing
Waste reduction should be a primary concern for tourism
establishments. They can do the following simple steps.

Outside the Buildings – Garden and Wildlife Areas

• Ensure that the tourists in natural

areas “pack it in and pack it out” and
do not litter. Litter not only degrade
the quality of tourist’s experience, but
can also be dangerous for wildlife if
eaten or caught in them.
Waste reduction should be a primary concern for tourism
establishments. They can do the following simple steps.

Workshop
• Do not contaminate the soil with oil
and petrol; place a sawdust, or an
equivalent, over non-absorbent floors
in the workshop and maintenance
area, and dispose of it in an
environmentally friendly manner.
Waste reduction should be a primary concern for tourism
establishments. They can do the following simple steps.

Landfilling

• Burn methane gas to reduce the

likelihood of explosion.
• Enclose landfills to minimize
access by scavengers.
Waste reduction should be a primary concern for tourism
establishments. They can do the following simple steps.

Where Incineration Is Necessary

• Ensure that the temperature of the waste
burned is hot enough to maximize
combustion and reduce the amount of ash
produced.
• Use filters to trap poisonous fumes from
entering the atmosphere, and regularly
replace them.
65
 How does Shangri-La Hotels focuses on the five areas of Environment, Health & Safety,
Employees, Supply Chain Stakeholder Relations?

Shangri-La group participates in

the Carbon Disclosure Project
(CDP) to demonstrate the
importance given by senior Shangri-La prefers local
management on the impacts of
climate change to the
community-sourced
organization. supplies to promote local
community growth and
development. In 2012, the
Hotel Group launched its
Shangri-La supports local Sustainable Seafood Policy,
employment, thereby committing the Group to
contributing to the overall stop serving shark’s fin at
residents’ quality of life. About all of its restaurants.
89% of its employees are local
citizens and around 2% of
permanent employees are
persons with disabilities.
The Shangri-La Group Classifies
its Main Commitments around
four key areas:
Business:

1
occupational health and safety; food safety, governance,
fire life safety, sustainable sourcing; open
communication and transparency; offering sustainable
products to guests

2 People:
staff recruitment and development; employee health,
welfare, and benefits; diversity and equal opportunity
The Shangri-La Group Classifies
its Main Commitments around
four key areas:

3 Environment:
Water, waste, climate change / energy;
biodiversity and conservation, air quality

4 Communities:
contribution to local communities;
employee volunteering in the community
The company’s sustainable initiatives revolve around two main projects:

1. Embrace:
Shangri-La’s Care
for People Project
Under Embrace, Shangri-La’s
activities revolve around
providing infrastructure support,
fund raising, life skill training, and
hotel apprenticeships.

2. Sanctuary: Shangri-La’s Care for Nature Project

Under this project, the Hotel Group has been working on projects which are developed,
and monitored after making a biodiversity assessment.
70
 As Tourists…

When buying One must respect

Research about the privacy of Do not make
the significance souvenirs, donations
tourists should local people by
of churches and not taking irresponsibly.
shrines not haggle
excessively. pictures of them.
 There are many other small things tourists can do to
contribute to sustainable tourism, such as:

Using apps like Unplugging,

Waze to avoid Taking short Reusing towels
showers and bed sheets devices when not
getting lost. in use

Not buying
Using refillable animal skin
Dress according water bottle Avoiding irresponsible
products posting of pictures of
to custom instead of plastics especially those
bottles places visited
of endangered
species