Sustainable Tourism
Title: The role of food in sustainable tourism in Galapagos Island
The report gives an overview of tourism management on Galapagos Island. In doing so, there have been discussions on the definition of sustainable tourism and why responsibility becomes more effective compared to sustainability. The report also discusses about the corporate social responsibility in Tourism in Galapagos Island. There is also discussion on whether the issue of corporate social responsibility of tourism has a regional or global importance. Moreover, there are discussions and justifications on why the issue chosen and its importance. There are also maps and photos provided to support the discussion. The report also gives a figure of the number of people visiting the Galapagos Island. There is also discussion on how the issue dealt by stakeholders and the government. The report also put across an example of another destination and its dealings with the issue under discussion. Further, the report also puts forward recommendations that put across a clear perspective how the corporate social responsibility in tourism made better. Recommendations also mentioned on the good practices of other places, destinations or business.
Sustainable Tourism helps in establishing a proper balance between environmental, socio-cultural and economic aspects meant for development of tourism and at the same time plays a vital role in the conservation of bio diversity. Environmental aspects of sustainable tourism refers to the preservation of both built that includes ruins and historic buildings and natural environment that includes waterways, forest and beaches for the use of future generations (Buckley 2012). On the other hand, the socio-cultural aspects refer to minimizing the negative impacts and maximizing the positive ones that includes promotion of cultural exchange and preservation of local traditions. However, the economic aspects of sustainable tourism refer to reducing the leakages and building the linkages meant for ensuring economic benefits to the community as a whole.
Sustainable Tourism considered not enough since it provides a narrow focus on the concept of tourism as a whole. Moreover, this concept provides limited attention to the impacts of tourism (Bramwell and Lane 2013). The concept of sustainable tourism mainly focuses on the economic factors with occasional acknowledgement of the environmental issues. Further, the concept also failed in determines the impact of tourism on other activities of the destination. The concept also adopted business strategic planning as one of the vital tourism framework. The concept of sustainable tourism did not take into account the needs of the tourist or the placement of the market and the expectations that will act as the core drivers of tourism for a particular destination. Through the concept of sustainable tourism, the residents of the destination also have a limited role to play (Willson 2015).
Corporate Social Responsibility in Tourism in Galapagos Island
However, in recent times the idea of responsible tourism has been more effective compared to sustainable tourism because it involves the host community in the tourism governance. Moreover, responsible tourism also seeks to actively minimize every negative impact and help in generating economic benefits for not only the locals but also natural and cultural heritage (Leslie 2012). This also helps in enhancing the overall well- being of the host community and makes it accessible for everyone. Further, responsible tourism also provides meaningful experiences to the tourists thereby ensuring better understanding of environmental, social and cultural issues. Thus, responsible tourism leads to assessment of tourism according to quality of life and well-being.
The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Tourism in the Galapagos Island refers to a concept where integration of environmental and social concerns takes place in the business operation of the tourism sector and in the interaction of the stakeholders on temporary basis (Epler Wood 2016.). However, CSR makes a substantial contribution in the maintenance of sustainability in the Island.
The Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism and the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) have made sure that the tour providers must plan to make the tourism business environment friendly as far as possible. Therefore, they must undertake measures for conservation of energy and water, recycling and treatment of waste material, ensure sourcing of locally made products and ensure hiring of local employees, providing them with additional training and providing fair wage. Thus, the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) came into the scenario that not only contributed to sustainability but also helped in benefiting the tourism industry of Galapagos (Steurer, Martinuzzi and Margula 2012). Henceforth, the CSR help the tourism sector of Galapagos Island by the following means:
- The influence of the CSR ensures the well-being of the organizations through creation of building opportunities in the tourism sector. This also helps in ensuring a working environment that is sustainable and at the same time accountable.
- Corporate Social Responsibility also enables the contribution of local communities of the Galapagos Island.
- Through adoption of CSR, the Island is also able to support conservation program locally meant Corporate Social Responsibility for preserving the fauna and flora.
- Corporate Social Responsibility also helps in the development of workshop for the local handicraftsmen and thereby ensure sale of local products
- CSR also aids the local farm to not only fertilize their crops but also sell the products back to the resorts for tourist.
This is a time when managing a business in the tourism sector is no longer limited to fundamentals of service and operation. In this regard, not only quality of tourism have become a top priority but there is also a need for maintaining the responsibility of the participants on the tourism industry for recognizing the abilities and needs of the communities in Galapagos for supporting , supplying, co-existing and at the same time providing experiential travel expected by the travelers (Hilson 2012). This is because travelers of the new age not only wants to add meaning to their vacation but also wants to have a lasting experience with the memories of the Island. However, this partnership and connection brought through corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Explanation of CSR in Contributing to Regional Development
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is important since it ensures responsible usage of cultural and natural resources, minimization of waste and pollution and the conservation of landscape of the Galapagos Island. CSR also helps in maintaining the cultural heritage and biodiversity (Coles Fenclova and Dinan 2013). Moreover, the CSR policy also helps in the maintenance of biodiversity and cultural heritage along with responsible and fair treatment of the guest, suppliers and employees. Further, CSR also ensures fair usage of the local services and products and the cooperation and involvement of the local communities in the Island. Therefore, the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility has become an integral part of the corporate strategies for the tourism business. The international tourism sector focuses on not only environmental protection but also the welfare of the local communities. Moreover, CSR also helps the tourism sector in dealing with their employees.
Figure 1: Maps of Galapagos Island
Source:
Figure 2: Photo of Galapagos Island
Source: (Aguilera, Málaga and Gibbs 2013)
Figure 3: Photo of Galapagos Island
Source: (Aguilera, Málaga and Gibbs 2013)
Figure 4: Photo of Galapagos Island
Source: (Newsome, Moore and Dowling 2012)
As per the semiannual report put forward by Galapagos National Park Directorate, an overall 224,755 tourist visited the Island in the recent years that also counts for an increase in 4% of the total tourist from the year 2014. However, out of these tourists 70,451 were nationals whereas 154,304 counted as foreign visitors (Newsome, Moore and Dowling 2012).
The corporate social responsibility in tourism sector refers to a mechanism of self-regulation for actively monitoring a society, an environment, global trends, legal standards and ethical principles (Font et.al 2012). Thus, CSR in the tourism seen to support the core mission of tourism and dealt currently by the stakeholders that includes tourists, tour operators and destination management organizations. Thus, the corporate social responsibility helps in fostering actions that positively affects the society be it environmentally, community wise and people wise. However, government can play a role as a secondary stakeholder in dealing with the situation.
The government must also play a vital role in promoting Corporate Social Responsibility. This will encourage the tourism sector in advocating socially and environmentally conscious measures (Campbell 2012). For instance, under the government undertaking the tourism sector is also encouraged to undertake sustainable development. The government intervention in the corporate social responsibility also ensures smooth and peaceful running of the tourism operations.
Why CSR is Chosen
In the context of Corporate Social Responsibility, the example of Kenya is drawn. The corporate social responsibility in Kenya based on the cultural context that helps in reflecting the social responsibility and community self-reliance (Arnold and Valentin 2013). Moreover, Kenya treats CSR as add on peripheral to its core business and they primarily refers to philanthropic approaches. Further, Kenya does not have an evaluation of adherence policy instead; it involves leadership at a corporate level.
The corporate social responsibility considered as a vital tool for the success of business in the tourism sector. However, the social responsibility chosen may vary across destinations, business or places (Camilleri 2014). An effective corporate social responsibility can not only help in improving the operations of the sector in accordance with boosting the morale of the people that in a way helps in reducing cost and gain a competitive edge. Thus, by following the practices mentioned below the tourism sector can improve its CSR.
- Ensuring Transparent Practices: Maintenance of transparency is very important while adopting CSR is of utmost importance (Crane, Matten and Spence 2013). One can ensure such services by encouraging the sector in adopting the best of practices
- By Playing an Active Role in the Community:Apart from decisions meant for having a global impact, it is necessary for focusing on the immediate surroundings and ensure the active participation in the local community
- Supporting the Local Community: To ensure the improvement of CSR perspective in tourism it is also necessary for supporting and spreading the business of the community (Lähdesmäki and Suutari 2012). There should also be enough encouragement for ensuring purchase from the local suppliers. Moreover, every opportunity utilized used for supporting the community
- Through Encouragement of Innovation: One must actively work for creating an ambience that provides enough encouragement of the people working in the tourism sector to put forward their ideas meant for the CSR in the sector.
The corporate social responsibility of the Galapagos Island can be improved by learning the good practices adopted by other countries in improving the corporate social responsibility in tourism though it must be remembered that each of the places are governed by different governance, cultural groups, power, wealth and level of poverty (de Grosbois 2016.). However, the good practices adopted spread of literacy in the community by working in communication with the local community, transformation of the exits structures into residential complexes and resorts, supporting various environmental programs.
Conclusion:
The report ends by recommending ways for improving the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of tourism in terms of the Galapagos Island. There is also discussion about the learning from the good practices adopted by other business, destinations and places. The report also puts forward an example of a destination and then goes on to talk about the dealings of the CSR. There is also discussion about the role of the government on undertaking the corporate social responsibility. Moreover, the report puts across maps and pictures of the Galapagos Island and goes on to explain the dealings of the CSR. Through the report, one can also get an idea about the number of people visiting the Galapagos Island. The issue of corporate social responsibility in the Galapagos Island discussed with focus on impact of CSR on regional development and CSR importance. Further, the report discusses sustainable tourism and mentions about responsible tourism.
References:
Arnold, D.G. and Valentin, A., 2013. Corporate social responsibility at the base of the pyramid. Journal of business research, 66(10), pp.1904-1914.
Bramwell, B. and Lane, B., 2013. Getting from here to there: Systems change, behavioural change and sustainable tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 21(1), pp.1-4.
Buckley, R., 2012. Sustainable tourism: Research and reality. Annals of Tourism Research, 39(2), pp.528-546.
Camilleri, M., 2014. Advancing the sustainable tourism agenda through strategic CSR perspectives. Tourism Planning & Development, 11(1), pp.42-56.
Campbell, B., 2012. Corporate Social Responsibility and development in Africa: Redefining the roles and responsibilities of public and private actors in the mining sector. Resources Policy, 37(2), pp.138-143.
Coles, T., Fenclova, E. and Dinan, C., 2013. Tourism and corporate social responsibility: A critical review and research agenda. Tourism Management Perspectives, 6, pp.122-141.
Crane, A., Matten, D. and Spence, L.J., 2013. Corporate social responsibility in a global context.
de Grosbois, D., 2016. Corporate social responsibility reporting in the cruise tourism industry: A performance evaluation using a new institutional theory based model. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 24(2), pp.245-269.
Epler Wood, M., 2016. Sustainable tourism on a finite planet, environmental, business and policy solutions.
Hilson, G., 2012. Corporate Social Responsibility in the extractive industries: Experiences from developing countries. Resources Policy, 37(2), pp.131-137.
Lähdesmäki, M. and Suutari, T., 2012. Keeping at arm’s length or searching for social proximity? Corporate social responsibility as a reciprocal process between small businesses and the local community. Journal of Business Ethics, 108(4), pp.481-493.
Leslie, D. ed., 2012. Responsible tourism: Concepts, theory and practice. CABI.
Newsome, D., Moore, S.A. and Dowling, R.K., 2012. Natural area tourism: Ecology, impacts and management (Vol. 58). Channel view publications.
Steurer, R., Martinuzzi, A. and Margula, S., 2012. Public policies on CSR in Europe: Themes, instruments, and regional differences. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 19(4), pp.206-227.
Tamajón, L.G. and i Aulet, X.F., 2013. Corporate social responsibility in tourism small and medium enterprises evidence from Europe and Latin America. Tourism Management Perspectives, 7, pp.38-46.
Willson, G., 2015. Taking responsibility for tourism
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