MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Chapter 7

Sustainable Tourism Practice

Introduction

Sustainability is an appealing concept development but it has been criticized for being
impractical.

Its main deficiency is the failure to identify the specific task but each stakeholder group
must do to attain it.

Without this, it creates a bystander effect, whereby everyone assumes that somebody
else will do it, eventually resulting in no one actually doing what is supposed to be done.

Learning Outcome

1. Identify the general categories of sustainable tourism practice at various level of

governance
2. Explain the Global Code of Ethic in Tourism
3. Explain what indicator are their value for monitoring tourism’s sustainability
4. Cite actual example of sustainable practice by the tourism industry.
Promoting Responsible Tourism at the International Level:

Global Code of Ethics

At the international level, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has been at the
forefront of responsible tourism movement. The UNWTO adopted the Global of Ethics
for tourism in 1999, which is comprehensive set of principles designed to guide of
governments, the private sector, communities and tourist alike in order to maximize its
costs on destination.

Page 1
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

The Code’s ten principles apply to the economic, social, cultural and environment
dimensions of tourism.

Article 1: Tourism’s contribution to mutual understanding and respect between

peoples and societies

Articles 1 underscore the necessity of ethical values, tolerance and respect for
diversity as the foundation for responsible tourist. It advocates mutual respect for each
other’s practice and customs by tourism and hosts communities.

Articles 1 also emphasized the responsibilities of public authorizes to provide

security for tourist and visitor their belongings. Tourists are admonished to abide by
local laws. Prior to their visit, tourist should research about the destination, nothing the
health and there may encounter to behave to minimize those risks.

Articles 2: Tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfillment.

Articles 2 recognize the value of tourism for self-education, mutual tolerance, and
learning about human and cultural diversity. As such, travel for religion, health,
education, and cultural or linguistic exchanges are encouraged as well as the inclusion
into educational curricular value. Moreover, this articles states that tourism should
respect the equality of men and women and promote human right, particular those of
the most vulnerable groups, such as children, the handicapped and indigenous people
(IP). It also forbids the sexual exploitation of human being.

Articles 3: Tourism, a factor of sustainable development

Articles 3 stresses the role of all stakeholders in sustainable tourism

development and the prioritization of forms of tourism development that helps conserve
the environment. To maximize the negative impact of tourism, tourism must be
programmed in both time and space. Tourism infrastructure be appropriately designed,
and carrying capacity of sites be observed.

Page 2
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Articles 4: Tourism, a user of cultural heritage of mankind and contributor to its

enhancement

Articles 4 underscores the need to craft policies and activities that will preserve
artistic, archaeological, historical, and cultural site for the benefits of present and future
generation, including the use if financial resources derived from visit to such sites for
their upkeep, safeguard, development and embellishment and the tradition craft and
folkloric.

Articles 5 Tourism, beneficial activity for countries and communities

Articles 5 highlights the importance of enabling local population to share

equitability in the benefits of tourism they generate, especially in terms of direct and
indirect jobs resulting from them. Tourism policies should help raise their standard of
living, and tourism planning and development should integrate them to the local
economics and social fabric. Local must be prioritized in hiring. People living in coastal
area and island territories, rural or mountain regions should pay special attention to
tourism which can provides alternative development in the face of the declining
traditional industries. Tourism practitioners should carry out impact analysis.

Articles 6: Obligation of stakeholders in tourism development

Articles 6 discusses the responsibilities of tourism professional, public authorities,

and the media. On the part of tourism professional, they must provide objective and
honest information to tourist about the destinations, contractual clauses involves in the
provision of their services and financial compensation payable by them in case of
unilateral breach of contract. They should also inform their clients about the security and
safety issues and ensure the tourist in access to insurance and assistance. Tourism
professional should also enable tourist to practice their religions during travels. On the
part of public authorities, they should ensure that mechanisms are in place in case
tourists need to be repatriated in the events of the bankruptcy of the enterprise that
organized their travel. Government must issue travel advisories in case of crises in
destinations, being careful not to exaggerate in order to also safeguard the countries
and the interest of their own operator and for such advisories to be qualified or

Page 3
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

cancelled as soon as normality returns. On the part of the press, they should issue
honest, balance and accurate information to tourism consumer; they should not promote
sex tourism.

Articles 7 Right to tourism

Articles7 This article emphasized the right to tourism for all people which should
be promoted. This universal right must be regarded as the corollary of the right to rest
and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holiday with
pay as guaranteed by articles 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Right and
Articles 7.d of the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Right, Social
Tourism, family, youth and student and senior tourism and tourist for people with
disability should be encouraged and facilitated.

Articles 8: Liberty of tourist movements

Articles 8 discusses the right of tourist. According to the article, people should
have the liberty to travel within their countries and to other countries with articles 13 of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, subject to international and national laws.
Tourist must be allowed to go to place of transit and stay free from excessive formalities
or discrimination; they should have access to internal and external communication and
access to local administrative, legal and health service. Tourist must be able to contact
their consular representative. The confidentiality of tourists’ personal data and
information must be protected. Visa, health and customs formalities should be simplified
to facilities travel. Tourist must be able concert currencies for their travel.

Articles 9 Right of the worker and entrepreneur in the tourist industry

Articles 9 this articles talk about the right and duties of tourism worker and
entrepreneurs, including multinational companies. Tourism worker must enjoy the
fundamental right guaranteed by their state if origin and host countries, taking notes of
specific constraints brought about by the characteristic of tourism, such as seasonality,
tourism’s global dimensional, and the flexibilities often required of them by the nature of
their work. Salaries and self-employed worker in the tourism industry must have the

Page 4
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

right and duty to acquire appropriate initial and continues training adequate social
protection.

Articles 10 Implantation of the principles the Global of Ethic for Tourism

Articles 10 this is articles discusses how the code could be implemented. This involves
cooperation between the public and public and private stakeholder in tourism
development, the recognition of the role of international institution, particular the WTO,
and non-government organization involved in tourism promotion and development,
protection of human rights, environment or health and the need for stakeholder to
demonstrate their intention to refer any disputes concerning the application or
interpretation of the Global Code of Ethic for Tourism to the World Committee on
Tourism Ethics.

Sustainable Tourism indicator

The UNWTO has also been at forefront of sustainable tourism indicator development.
In1996, the agency published “A practical Guide for the Development and Application of
Indicator of Sustainable Tourism”

The indicator core:

1. Site protection
2. Stress
3. Use intensity
4. Social impact
5. Development control
6. Waste management
7. planning process
8. critical ecosystem
9. consumer satisfaction
10. local satisfaction

Page 5
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for Destination of the Global Sustainable
Tourism Council covers the following (Gstcouncil.org).

Section A: Demonstrate effective sustainable management.

This section covers lantern sustainability management systems, compliance with

all applicable local to international legislation and regulation, personnel’s periodic
guidance and training regarding their roles and responsibilities to environment, social,
cultural, economic, health and safety issues, customer satisfaction, accurate the
compete promotional materials, palling customer satisfaction, accurate and complete
promotion materials, planning, design, construction, renovation, operation and
demolition of building.

Section B. Maximize social and economic benefit to the local community and
minimize negative

This section requires that hotel and tour operators actively support initiative for
local infrastructure and social community development, give local resident equal
employment opportunity to be hired and trained including management position;
purchase local series and good following fair-trade principles; offers the means for local
small entrepreneurs to develop and sell sustainable product that are based on the
area’s nature , history and culture; develop a documented code of conduct for activities
in indigenous and local communities with the collaboration and consent of the affected
community

Section C: Maximize benefit to cultural heritage and minimize genitive impact

Under this section, hotels and tours operator should follow established guideline
or code of behavior for visit to culturally or historically sensitive site, do not sell, trade or
display historical and archeological artifacts unless permitted by law; contribute to the
protection and preservation of local historical, archeological, cultural and spiritual
important properties, and site, and do not impede access to them by local residents,
incorporate elements of local art, architecture, or cultural heritage in its operations,

Page 6
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

design, decoration, food or shop while respecting the intellectual property right of local
communities

Section D: Maximize benefits to the environment and minimize negative impact

Hotel and tour operator must observe guideline on conserving resources by

purchasing policies that favor appropriate and ecologically sustainable product,
purchasing and using disposable and consumable goods in a measured fashion.

A review of literature produced a substantial number if indicator which may be used for
monitoring sustainable tourism (Cruz 2003)

Economic Indicators

1. tourism revenues
2. average tourist expenditure
3. taxes form tourism
4. number of register tourism-related business
5. inflation/ price index in tourist area
6. profitable of tourism establishment
7. Stability and diversity of market
8. Tourism employment
9. Ration of the average monthly wage of tourism industry worker and workers from
other industries
10. Visitor satisfaction index provided by customer feedback.
Environment Indicator

1. Presence of infrastructure to manage and minimize solid and liquid waste

2. Water quality index for water and marine/beach water
3. Air quality
4. Percent of population exposed to noise and light pollution
5. Percent of population exposed to foul odors
6. Amount of water consumed and percentage of leakage
7. Amount of fossil fuel used

Page 7
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

8. Speed of motor vehicles during rush hours

9. Amount of packing purchased with supplies
10. Adherence to code of behaviour that respect natural heritage
Socio-Cultural indicator.

1. (Decent) livelihood opportunities; number of local selling product to tourist or

supplying store
2. Number of tourism business operated and managed local people
3. Number of private tourism businesses employing local people
4. Poverty incidence and alleviation in tourist area, percentage of population living
on less than PPP$ 1 a day, number of informal settlers (squatters)percent of
underweight children, underemployment rate
5. Local linkages as indicate by percentage of input souvenirs and handicrafts,
obtain from within the local economy or x distance
6. Percentage of staff employed form x distance of the tourism project
7. Community’s share of profits from tourism
8. Access to and provision of tourism facilities for disadvantages groups such as the
disabled, facilities with small children, the elderly and people with low wages
9. Percentage of good, service and labor procured from women, indigenous people
(IP)m and the handicap
10. Membership in voluntary organization and NGOs involved in sustainable.
Institutional Indicator

1. Presence of tourism master plan which incorporate sustainable principles

2. Number of site with sustainable tourism master plans
3. Presence of inter-agency coordination and cooperation
4. Presence of land use and zoning plans
5. Percentage of land use and zoning plans
6. Percentage of establishment or LGU adhering to environment impact system and
institution
7. EIAS and EMS required for all business registration
8. Presence of protected area management system

Page 8
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

9. Law protecting ancestral domain

10. Existence of a tourism council/cooperative or equivalent structure at various level
for discussing tourism related
The United Nation Global Compact

Is a set of principles that enable companies to operate with a culture of integrity,

enabling them to upload their basic environment and social responsibilities and
attain long–term viability.

Is a comprehensive approach to corporate sustainability, the UN Global

Compact’s ten principles were derived from the: the Universal Declaration of Human
Right, The International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles
and Right at work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the
United Nations Convention Against Corruption

These principles are as follow:

Human Right

1. Businesses should support the respect the protection of internationally

proclaimed human right
2. Make sure that they are not complicit in human right abuses
Labor

3. Business 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
6. The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation
Environment

7. Businesses should support a precaution approach to environmental challenges

8. Undertakes initiative to promote greater environmental responsibility
9. Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly
technologies

Page 9
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Anti-corruption

10. Business should work against corruption in all its form, including extortion and
bribery.
Promotion Responsible Tourism at the National Level

Since the adoption of sustain into national development processes, countries have
committed to Agenda 21 principles Cruz (2003) identified several aspect sustainability
that been adopted by eh national tourism organization in the ASEAN. These are :

 Integrating the principles of sustainability into the national tourism planning, such
as the requirement for public consultation prior to the approval of tourism
development plan and maximizing linkages within the tourism value chain to
promote inclusive growth
 Developing tourist produce that are generally environment friendly and pro-poor ,
such as ecotourism and agritourism
 Promoting “holiday economics” which is effective spreading tourism income in
rural area.
 Promoting domestic tourism, which is effective at spreading tourism income in
rural areas.
 Incorporating sustainable principles into accreditation standards for tourism
establishments, such as environmental practice support fir person with disability

Environment Evaluation, Compliance and monitor

Part of the sustainable efforts is the conduct of environmental impact assessment

prior to the construction environmental impact assessment prior to the construction of
tourism establishment.

The joint DENR-DOT Memorandum Circular 98-02 (guidelines for Ecotourism

Development in the Philippines) provides for the regulation and accreditation of
developers and investors in ecotourism projects.

Page 10
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Tourism project falling under the following categories require Initial Environment
Evaluation (IEE) prior to the issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificate by
DENR:

1. Hotel inns and similar accommodation with or near urban center or build-up area
with less than 20 rooms with eating facilities
2. Hotel, cottages, motel and lodging house with ten to 15 rooms with minimum
facilities and amenities for resting eating and some recreation activities located
in rural areas, small islands, beaches mountain area with high scenic or
outstanding and cultural feature
3. Ecotourism in unique area/histories-cultural sites/ protected area under National
Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act. Protect area include strict nature
reserves, natural parks, natural monument, wildlife sanctuaries, protected
landscape and seascapes, resources reserve among others.
Voluntary initiative and Certifications

Another aspect of sustainable tourism practice is support for voluntary initiative

for sustainable tourism, which cover ecolabels and certification scheme, prizes and
award environmental management system, codes of conduct, charter for sustainable
tourism, self-commitments and self-declaration.

Voluntary Initiative for Sustainable Tourism (VIST’s) aim to raise awareness of

problems; willingness to improve; Identify, stimulate, and replicate good practice and
raise of performance in tourism.

Ecolabel are not profit oriented and promote open access; they provide a review and
update of environmental categories. They use legally protected logo. Code of conduct
refer to guideline outline ethics, philosophies, principles and practice for the tourism
industry:

1. Global Sustainable Tourism (GSTC) standard aim to increase sustainable

knowledge and practices among public and private stakeholder. There are two
set of GSTC Criteria: Destination Criteria (GSTC-D), and Hotel & Tours (GSTC-
H&TO).

Page 11
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

2. PATA Green leaf program/APEC-PATA Code for sustainable tourism which

started certifying in 1995, is an ecolabel for all types of tourism, companies.
3. Green Globe was established in 1994 by the world Travel and Tourism and
Council.
4. The code of Conduct for the protection of children form sexual exploitation in
Travel and Tourism was initiated in 1998 by ECPAT.
5. ISO 14001 (International Organization standardization) is made up to about 20
documents related to environmental management system )EMS) and
environment management tools
6. Energy star was created by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to
reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
7. Green seal is a recognized brand for hotel as well as for more than 40 product
categories and service.
8. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED) is the gold standard for
green building construction in the US LEED provides third-party certification for
integrated assessment of energy and water conservation CO2 emission, indoor
environmental quality, and protection of resources.
9. EcoRooms & EcoSuite is the only certification program that requires 100%
compliance with all eight of their including smoke-free guest room making them
the most stringent certification program in the industry.
Tourism Award and Accreditation

Singapore Tourism Board’s Singapore Gold Circle Quality Programme accreditation

scheme sets benchmarks for fair trade practice, quality of service and management,
facilities and equipment, product development, industry support and documentation
(STB 2003).

The GCQP use five major criteria; physical attribute like location and environment
quality, structure and system related to safety and security; facilities related to comfort,
service quality like cleanliness, hygiene and reputation and ongoing maintenance of
property (Cruz 2003).

Responsible Tourism by industry

Page 12
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Tourism enterprises are motivated to implement “Responsible Tourism” guideline to

reduce cost, create a unique selling preposition (USP) and to maximize comparative
advantage in the marketplace (Spenceley et al 2002).

Tourism enterprise promote responsible and business opportunities when they;

1. Create and promote employment and business opportunities for historically

disadvantages individual
2. Employ local worker
3. Forge mutual worker
4. Forge mutual beneficial economics linkages between the formal and informal
sector within the immediate small business
5. Endorse fair trade in employment and purchasing behaviour
According to Spenceley et al (2002), private tourism enterprise can encourage
tourist to promote local development by:

1. Providing information, such as the local economy, the enterprise’s corporate

social investment activities and current or planned social infrastructure project.
2. Demonstrating the impact that a relatively small amount of money can make to a
poor rural household
3. Creating feedback on general impressions, specific information about the visitor
expenditure in the local economy; these feedback can be used to profile clients
and increase return business
4. Soliciting guest feedback on general impression, specific information about the
visitor expenditure.
5. Sourcing local product and services wherever quality, quantify, and consistency
allow, such as construction materials, landscaping plants, labor, specialized
building ground transport, garbage removal, food furniture, uniform soft furniture,
decoration soap, candles tableware
6. Advising small local businesses about requirement for consumable and no-craft
needs
Fair trade practice

Page 13
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

In addition to merely creating demand for local product and services, tourism
establishment should support for trade practice. The free trade in tourism South Africa
Six principles for fairly traded product (Spenceley 2002)

1. Equitable share of income by all participants

2. Democratic participation in decision-making
3. Respect by host and visitor for human right, culture and environment
4. Reliability of Delivery of services to tourist
5. Transparency of ownership, information and sharing of profits and loses
6. Sustainability through capacity building, networking and partnership and
economic viability through responsible resources use and democratic
management
Social responsibility

Tourism establishment must also 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 site and commercialize
culturally sensitive events like wedding and funeral.

Spenceley et al (2002) mentioned a number of technologies and simple

practice, which could be utilized by hotel and resorts to minimize their carbon
footprint. These are:

1. Renewable energy system-such as solar water heater, solar pumps, windmill,

photovoltaic system to power radios, light, computer and other low-wattage
appliance.
2. Insulation for roofs, ceiling, hot water item
3. Double glazing window with heat loss
4. Using locally produced materials to reduce transportation energy requirement
5. Solar water heater combine with lo-flow
Refrigeration

Page 14
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

1. Use energy-efficient rated fridge and freezer which are the smallest size
appropriate for your needs
2. Set fridge and freezer thermostat to the appropriate temperature for the type of
food and the storages period
3. Pace fridge in shade , well-ventilated area and away
4. Maintain the seals around fridge and freezer hour
Cooking

1. Cooking with natural gas rather than electric to save energy

2. Use microwave to cool smaller item of food miles
Dishwashing

1. Purchase low-water energy-use dishwashers

2. Operate them only when full
Offices

1. Personal computers use about 200w when operating, switch off office eqiptment
when not needed
2. Use energy saving feature in computer, photocopies
Lighting

1. Compact fluorescent light

2. Low energy light bulb produce about seven times of light for the same wattage
3. Photosensitive light switches on outdoor light
Transport

1. Encourage the use of environment-friendly transport for recreation such as bikes,

horses canoe
2. Domestic and local tourist make shorter trips and use less energy
3. Have international vehicles
Waste reduction should be a primary concern for tourism establishment.

They can do the following simple step:

 Kitchens

Page 15
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

 Laundry and housekeeping

 Office
 Outside and building-Garden and wildlife area
 Workshop land filling
 Where incineration is necessary
Sustainable operation activities

According to Spenceley et al (2002) tourism establishment can help preserve the

environment by not purchasing meat form rare or engaged species and general
modifies crops.

Responsible Tourist Behavior

As tourist, you must research about the significance of churches and shrine and
avoid actions that desecrate such site. Examples of disrespectful behavior are stepping
on an altar at a Catholic church; entering a Baddish Temple without removing footwear
and carving one’s initials on the truck of centuries-old trees, this author saw absence
drawing on the walls on war memorial on Hill 120 in Leyte.

When buying souvenirs or (PASALUBONG). Tourist should not haggle

excessively. They should pay fair prices for product that are produced with intensive
labor, such as the making of BINAGOL, a delicacy in Bohol, made of yam and which is
made by hours of constant stirring of yam and other ingredients in bug cat.

Page 16
MODULE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY ASSESSMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Chapter 7 pp 127-152, Tourism Impact and Tourism Sustainability-Cruz, 1st edition, Rex Store
published 2016
1https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLRanIhp2jg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7IScJmZZhg

Page 17