Sustainability in Tourism and Hospitality Management

Online Business School

Level 4 Hotel and Hospitality Management

Task 1.
I will be highlighting the need for planning in the travel, tourism and hospitality
industry and how it benefits different stakeholders. Taking India as a case study for
travel planning, as it holds immense signature due to its tourism-attracting
heritage, proper insight of a bigger plan to take out profitable travel holds great
importance which benefits the stakeholders on a large scale.
Planning for travel and tourism helps the local residents greatly leading to
opportunities of employment and sales for the products they manufacture, local
residents enjoy developmental beneficiary in their respective regions involving
infrastructure that improves their quality of lifestyle.
Local companies benefit from proper planning of tourism by owning a land where
their services thrive and basic needs of the tourists are fulfilled, involving food
provided at restaurants, transport, medical aids, businesses involving tourism
spots and catering services.
Industrialists benefit for tourism immensely as in long term activity and
development through profits leading to constructions and investments in
programs and a better infrastructure and employment.
NGOS raise awareness of possible hurdles and exploitation caused by corrupt
communists that may lead to under development and environmental harm. They
get involved in programs leading to sustainable tourism for social welfare, overall.
One of the key roles for a tourism spot’s popularity is indeed played by the media
as their coverages are widespread globally, promoting a country’s local history and
culture and raising campaigns that greatly attract more tourists.
Government plays a major role in planning travel and tourism by its authority to
upraise regulatory frameworks for developmental activities, investments for
infrastructures, providing a helping hand for local communities to work for the
tourism in a better provided environment and. All these efforts eventually provide
growth and promote global recognition of a country’s tourism insights.

Benefits of planning of tourism:

 1. Economic magnification: Employment, jobs, profits, generate high income
and economic growth for the country’s welfare.
2. Infrastructure: Infrastructure being a basic necessity for tourism leads to a
better lifestyle and source of attraction for more tourism.
3. Sustainability: No environmental prosperity is compromised for the sake of
profits and an equilibrium is established with sustained environment.
4. Preservation of heritage and culture: Tourism focuses greatly on national
culture, traditions and history, which favors its preservation.

A person’s personal preference may differ from another person’s personal

preference. This may lead to difference of opinion which may eventually lead to
conflicts. The same occurs between stakeholders and the developers of tourism.

Conflicts to be highlighted in development of tourism:

1. Between developers and local communities: Local communities try hard to
preserve their social structure that reflects their heritage whereas the
developers emphasize of commercialism and breaking-building
infrastructure that seems attractive to tourists. This may lead to conflicts.
2. Between Tourists and Local communists: A mutual understanding and
respect is basis for every relationship to work with prosperity but if the
tourists and local communists have a difference of interest leading to
misbehaviors, that may lead to socio-economic loss in general.
3. Between culture safeguarding and commercialism: Local residents and
generational activists are possessive about their traditions and accept no
practice of modern-day culture of foreign interests and behaviors whereas
the government and tourists may push them to do otherwise, leading to
conflicts.

Impacts of Conflicts:
Conflicts in developing tourism may lead to social tension, aggression,
rebelliousness, unequal distribution of profits, economic crisis, loss of culture and
traditions, degradation of historic structures and natural resources,
misunderstandings, loss of mutual respect and social integrity, in general.
Methods to resolve these conflicts:
1. Programs for sustainability: Campaigns. Programs and practices must be
upraised to create an equilibrium between environmental and social
aggregates. Environment’s integrity must not be compromised for the sake
of one party’s interests.
2. Teachings of significance of culture to tourists: The tourists must be taught
about the sensitivity of a region’s culture and tradition and awareness of
the possible consequences if they invade to break the heritage of local
communists.
3. Freedom of speech: The local communists should be given freedom of
speech to raise their voices against endangerment to their culture and a
participatory practice in decision making with regards to tourism in their
regions. The tourists should also be given freedom to express their
requirements and expectations to be fulfilled during their time of tourism.

Ethical issues in tourism are to be avoided to forbid exploitation and

environmental crisis, ensuring an environment in which all stakeholders, involving
employees, local residents, communists, activists, the government, the tourists
feel respected.
Emerging ethical issues with regard to hospitality and tourism:
1. Part-time employment: Unfortunately, tourism is often seasonal,
depending on the countries or regions being visited. This causes low wage,
seasonal or part time jobs regarding hospitality leading to insecure jobs,
mental stress, which further leads to frustrations, turnovers (leaving jobs in
search of better employment), loss of interest and loss of ethical and moral
values.
2. Environmental Crisis: Over-populated tourism can lead to environmental
crisis due to building of resorts, change in infrastructure plans and
 degradation of natural habitat, use of natural resources to the point that
they cause pollution.
3. Sensitivity of prestige and heritage: The tourists come from different
regions with different cultural interests and values. When they interact with
local residents, they may indulge into conversations triggering the
sensitivity of heritage, leading to misunderstandings due to misconceptions,
leading to conflicts. Cultural exploitation and misbehavior lead to breaking
mutual respect and boundaries of considerations between guests and
hosts.
4. Unfair distributions of profits and funds: Tourism is exploited by the great
mafia of industrialism and development. Great chains of hotels and
marketing earn economical fairs that are solely distributed among
themselves, leaving the lower local communities with low wage income and
insecure employment (part-time jobs). This leads to heavy dependance on
local tourism which when taken advantage of, by the higher authorities,
lead to poverty among the lower class.
Ethical Considerations for resolution:
 Their ought to be a mutual understanding between the tourists and the
local residents to understand each other’s social and cultural values and to
not misinterpret them.
 Economic fairs should be even distributed among local communities
thriving to work for their better lifestyle.
 Government should implement fair wages with secure jobs that ensure
maintained income. This can be done by collaborations and partnerships
with local businesses and supporting their artistry.
 Sustainable practices should be worked upon to reduce consumption of
natural resources, environmental crisis and to set an equilibrium between
environment and tourism profits. Healthy environment should never be
compromised for the sake of modernization and tourism.

Task 2.
Concept of sustainability:
Sustainability refers to be able to meet the needs of the tourists without
compromising the nature of the region of tourism that may affect the upcoming
generations and their ability to cope up with the needs of local residency.
Sustainability ensures that no negative impact is put on the environment and no
harmful atmosphere is created in exchange of benefits gained from that region
for tourism. Healthy environment must not be compromised for the sake of
profits from tourism. There should be an equilibrium set in between the nature
and the commercialism that balances out any casualty.

Types of sustainability:
1. Economic: Economic sustainability focuses on fair distribution of the profits
from tourism among the local communists that create a sense of welfare
and give them secure jobs and opportunities to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
2. Environmental: To product biodiversity contributes in sustainability. This is
done by reduction of overuse of natural resources and minimizing the
waste produced from it. This creates a healthy environment.
3. Social: This includes mutual respect and a sense of understanding between
the tourists and the stakeholders of tourism that involves employees,
activists, communists, local residents, media, the government etc.

A sustained environment is premised on two key factors:

The two major key plays in a sustained environment are the environment
itself and society.
1. Social sustainability: Social sustainability majorly focuses on the interests
of the local residents and the communists and their welfare. They feel lack
of interest with commitment issues because of the part time jobs,
insecurities, seasonal tourism, low wage income and threats to their
culture. Social sustainability helps ensure that the local residents are
provided with participatory practices and given freedom of speech so that
they may make decisions regarding tourism within their respective areas
and get a chance to raise their voices for their prestige and heritage. They
should be given fair distributions of the profits and secured jobs to create a
sense of welfare.
2. Environmental Sustainability: overuse of natural resources leads to
pollution, threats to natural habitats and historic heritage is caused by the
need of commercialism, imposed by the government and higher
authorities.
 A sustained environment focused majorly on the wellbeing of the environment
and the preservation of the culture and traditions of the regions so that they
future generations may have to abilities to take forward their heritage with
originality. Conservation of natural resources, agriculture, protecting wildlife and
their habitats contribute in a sustained eco-friendly tourism and welfare.

Case study:
 Costa Rica has thrived to protect its biodiversity by taking environmental
initiatives and establishing national parks and protected areas which cover
25% of its land areas that give habitat to wildlife.
Moreover, it has contributed greatly for eco-friendly tourism by taking social
initiatives such as community-based tourism programs, working with NGOS,
providing education and awareness.

Planning for sustained tourism and hospitality involves a systematic approach that
ensures complete management of tourism in a particular country which benefits
on both environmental and social level, maintaining integrity among the tourists,
the local communists and the government.

Comprehensive approach to planning a sustained tourism:

1. Targeting a sustaining idea: The initial idea to create such a plan which
favors economic, environmental and social sustainability and balances out
to preserve the culture of the region of tourism by managing waste,
reducing pollution, local beneficiaries, job opportunities, protection of
prestige and heritage with preservation of culture and traditions.
2. Identification of stakeholders: Stakeholders are the key players in a
sustained environment so they must be picked wisely. Stakeholders may be
employees, NGOs, government servants, activists, local residents,
communists, media, tourists etc. stakeholders must have ethical and moral
values.
3. Destinations and attractions: Picking places that are hype worthy and may
catch the attraction of the tourists is a key approach to a sustained tourism.
An ideal destination must include natural resources, historic backgrounds,
cultural essence, old school infrastructure etc.
 4. Campaigns and Promotions: Media plays a key role in promoting and
covering the tourism-worthy places of a country and portraying its beauty
globally, so it is a vital approach to promote sustainability. These must be
done by use of digital services like social media and websites to catch
audience's attention worldwide.
5. Sustainability practices: To maintain integrity, sustainability practices is an
integral approach by which both the tourists and the local communists will
feel a sense of freedom of speech to raise their voices in accordance with
their interests. Tourists are taught the significance of the heritage of the
place they have been touring while the local residents are taught basic
ethical values to maintain a boundary of respect and mutual understanding.
Community-based tourism is a key activity in this regard.

Assessment and evaluation: Finally, supervision of the practices to maintain

sustainability are taken into account to make sure sustained tourism is taking
place. This stage involves either positive or negative feedback mechanisms, or
correcting errors or planning ways to improve strategies.

Barriers to sustainable tourism:

1. Environmental barriers: Tourism, often becomes hazardous to

environment as in causing waste materials in excess, reduction of
natural resources and misuse of natural resources that lead to pollution.
All these aspects effect ecosystem severely.
Preventions: Practices of the reuse, reduce and recycling helps in the
conservation of natural resources.
2. Economic barriers: Heavy investments that are made prior to tourism
planning and programming and then availing the profits without saving
and putting them for use of infrastructure and economic stability leads
to loss of sustained tourism.
Preventions: Loans should be given to local communists to encourage
sustainability of tourism and tax breaks should be implemented.
3. Technical difficulties: Lack of awareness among the stakeholders of tourism
and hospitality, regarding technological sustainability and uses leads to lack
 of accessibility, misuse and errors which brings the overall business into
loss.
Preventions: Training programs should be implemented by tour guides to
teach the tourists regarding green technology and it's benefits and
consequences.
4. Social barriers: The common misconceptions of tourists regarding the
culture and traditions of a certain area and the misunderstandings between
the tourists and the local communists regarding the culture leads to social
barriers that cause miscommunications and mistreatments.
Preventions: Education is the key factor that can enhance the social affairs
between the stakeholders of tourism and hospitality. Awareness campaigns
and training by the guides of the tour help enhance a mutual respect and
understanding to avoid social mis-interactions.
5. Political barriers: Incompetent government leads to instability of politics
which eventually events the nation at local levels, including the businesses
of tourism. Distribution of profits occur under such scenarios.
Preventions: Stable government and cooperation with stakeholders, global help
and fair distribution of amounts could prevent political barriers in tourism and
hospitality.

Task 3.
Demand of tourism:
Tourism demand refers to the willingness of tourists to buy products and services
supplied by tourism stakeholders, during their tours at a reasonable price. The
demand is based on the income, price and condition of the products.

External Factors that influence demand of tourism:

These are;
1. Economic factors: Economic stability is the key to afford a good tour. It
mainly depends on how favorably good could be exchanged between the
tourists and the local communities that supply them. A fair supply would
result in increased demand of tourism while unfair means of exchange for
goods and high pricing becomes unaffordable for tourists, leading to
decreased demand of tourism.
 2. Political factors: Political instability leads to incompetent and poor
governments which are unable to regulate policies like taxations, loans,
grants etc. An unstable government is unable to provide a fair share of
investments for the infrastructures to attract tourism and also the supply
for goods are compromised under a constructed environment with political
and economic instability.
3. Cultural factors: Prestigious and historical backgrounds, cultures and
traditions and rich heritage of a region increases demand for tourism as
tourists find it very interesting forms of information, providing a relaxed
atmosphere.
(Lee and Chang, 2008), older populations may prefer more relaxed, health-
orientated destinations.
4. Environmental factors: Severe climate changes affect tourism and off-
season tourism leads to misuse of natural resources at higher rates because
of overpopulation during seasonal tourisms. Unexpected weather events,
such as hurricanes or prolonged droughts, can discourage tourism (Hall,
2005).

Characteristics of tourism demands:

Characteristics important for tourism planning, marketing and policy making are;

1. Geographic distribution: Variable geographic distribution with vast areas

covered increases demand for tourism as different tourists are interested in
different cultures, traditions and histories.

2. Seasonal tourism: Tourism is 2:1 based on seasonal demands, especially

during holidays and school breaks because many destinations are restricted
to work under certain weather conditions and climates, like ski resorts are
majorly enjoyed in summer season.

3.Social factors: All tourists have different mindsets and personal preference;
some prefer relaxed destinations whereas some prefer over-activities during
the tour. A mutual psychological and social interest could increase demand for
tourism.
Tourism supply:
Tourism supply refers to all possible requirements, goods, services, proper
infrastructure, accommodation, food, transport and human resources provided to
the tourists as per their own personal preferences or a mutual interest of all
tourists.

Components of tourism supply:

The components of tourism supply are:
1. Natural resources: Ecosystem consisting of natural beneficiaries from lakes,
mountains, wildlife and climate conditions, including gas, oil and water
provide basic humanely necessities to the tourists.
2. Cultural resources: These include landmarks, museums, temples, mosques,
parks, festivals, architectures etc. that portray history and attract tourists.
3. Accommodation: Residency and accommodation are the basic need of
tourism as it provides the tourists with comfort and a place to rest and put
his or her belongings to.
4. Transportation: It is a key component of tour supply as it is the only source
of travel and moving from place to place to explore the destinations.
5. Tour operators and guides: These are people that are already well aware
and informed about the chosen destination and all of its cultural and
traditional significance and training, with a knowledge of geographical
information that is further shared by the guides to the tourists.

All these components make up the tour supply and helps increase tourism
demand and trust.

Various conflicts are seen in the development of tourism destinations between

various stakeholders such as planners, local communists and tourists.

Major conflicts to be noted:

1. Between planners and locals: The major misunderstanding and cause of
conflicts between these two parties is that planners aim to invest and build-
up infrastructures and attractive tourist spots which leads to loss of
 heritage of regions which is unacceptable to local communists as they see it
as a potential threat to their culture and traditions.
2. Between tourists and hosts: Tourists have their own ideas and
expectations of cultures and traditions which differ from those of the local
residents of the area, which creates a sense of misunderstanding between
the two parties, leading to endangerment of heritage and causing conflicts.
3. Environmental conflicts:
Tourism based infrastructure leads to massive destruction of natural
resources of the ecosystems. These infrastructures include museums,
parks, hotels, airports etc. which take up most of the natural spaces leading
to pollution and potential environmental hazards.
4. Economical conflicts: Part time jobs and low wages are major reasons
behind economic conflicts between the local communists and the unfair
means of exchange of goods and high pricing causes disturbance to
economic budget of the tourists leading to conflicts.

Methods to resolve these conflicts:

1. Sustainable practices of tourism: By training for longevity of sustainability,
economic, social, environmental and technical conflicts can be sorted by
ways of cutting short the negative impacts of these conflicts upon the
environment and between the stakeholders creating a sense of equilibrium
between all parties involved.
2. Stakeholder-community mutualism: Higher authorities and those in charge
of development of tourism and hospitality should give freedom of speech
to local residents so they may raise their voices upon concerns relevant to
potential threats to their culture and heritage due to misconceptions of
tourists. This participation helps in cutting off many conflicts.
3. Government’s stability: Unstable government forms poor policies and
unfair distribution of profits among lower classes. Stable government that
ensures well-being of the local communists and sustainability helps in
resolving conflicts relevant to development of tourism.

Ethical issues in tourism and hospitality:

Ethical values are promoted in tourism and hospitality to maintain sustainability
and a sense of mutual respect and accountability. Ethical values are important to
ensure the benefits of local communities and all stakeholders, protecting a
region's ethnicity and its culture. However, tourism faces tons of ethical issues
due to various factors that are;

1. Part-Time employment: This issue arises mainly because of the seasonal

tourism and variable demands and fluctuating requirements of the tour as
a whole. Part-time employment causes turnover and job insecurity.
Turnover means to leave a job in search of a better job which is mainly
caused by insecurity and lack of insurance of the previous job.
Part-time employment brings in a lack of commitment in the employees
(laborers, staff cleaning, catering etc.) caused by low morale and triggered
self-esteem.
Low wages, unfair means of distribution of profits to the local communists
all contribute to this.

2. Cultural sensitivity: In some destinations, tourism can lead to cultural

appropriation, where local traditions and customs are commodified or
misrepresented for tourist consumption (McKercher & Du Cros, 2002). Both
the tourists and local residents have different thought processes and beliefs
regarding their cultures and traditions, leading to misconceptions which
eventually turn into ethical issues.

3. Tourist-Host interactions: Tourists that have behavioral issues, showing

disrespect to people and local residents leads to a spoiled atmosphere that
ruins the tour. It is important for the tourists to be guided and trained to
behave in accordance with the culture and traditions of the region of tour.
Otherwise, exploitation of the cultural norms could lead to ethical issues
that may cause misconceptions and misunderstandings between the
tourists and the hosts.

Environmental impact: Ethical tourism engages and encourages protection and

sufficient enough use of natural resources to ensure a sustained environment and
protect the ecosystems. Over tourism leads to environmental degradation such as
excess waste generation and pollution of natural resources. Sustainability
practices can help improve these ethical issues.

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