Rachel Dodds

Why Go Green? The Business Case for Environmental Commitment in the Canadian Hotel Industry

ABSTRACT Despite several studies, international treaties and individual organizations commitment to going green in the tourist hotel industry, there has been limited discussion of the business case for implementing environmental practices. Several hotels have determined that there are numerous benefits to greening their hotel operations; however, there is still a gap between attitude and action in this industry. Cost savings; competitive advantage; employee loyalty; customer retention; regulatory compliance; risk management and social responsibility have been identified as the benefits to environmental commitment however with very limited discussion and proof in relation to the hotel industry. This paper seeks to identify the business case for environmental commitment with a focus on the Canadian hotel industry. Concrete examples of benefits that apply to this industry are discussed as well as future trends that support the case that going green is necessary for an economically viable and efficiently run hotel.

Does the tourist care? A comparison of tourists in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand and Gili Trawangan, Indonesia

Koh Phi Phi, Thailand, and Gili Trawangan, Indonesia, are two islands in Southeast Asia that face several developmental challenges associated with the rapid growth of tourism. Both islands are part of a marine park, are small in size and have several natural resources that need protection. They both face burgeoning tourist numbers that have increased tourism infrastructure development and are leading to environmental degradation. These islands have discussed ways to incorporate sustainability into their management and marketing practices, and they have looked to tourists as a support for change. This study examines the motivations, profiles and perceptions of tourists in island destinations, their level of awareness of environmental issues there, the extent to which they feel responsible about preserving or protecting their natural resources and the role they may be willing to take in their management, including their willingness to pay for environmental protection. The findings showed that the majority of the tourists to both islands were young, had relatively high levels of income and were from English-speaking nations. Tourists in both islands stated that they were willing to pay for sustainability practices, but there were differences around who they felt should be primarily responsible for implementing sustainability measures.

Sustainable Tourism and Policy Implementation: Lessons from the Case of Calviá, Spain

To date there is much literature identifying the need for sustainable tourism and for policy to address this need, however, there are few studies addressing sustainable tourism at a practical level or the effectiveness of policy implementation. This research focuses on the operational level of policy in order to gain a greater understanding of the barriers and possible solutions to implementation of sustainable tourism policy. This research focused on one of the Mediterraneans most popular sun, sea and sand tourist resorts – Calviá, located in Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, Spain. Calviá is an example of a mass tourism destination which, from a result of tourism pressure in the late 1980s, faced significant economic, social and environmental decline. By taking an integrated and collaborative approach to implement a sustainable tourism policy [using the participatory process of Local Agenda 21 (LA21)] Calviá received much international acclaim. This descriptive case study outlines the motivations behind establishing a sustainable tourism policy, the process, successes and barriers of implementation and lessons learned. By outlining sustainable tourism policy from development to evaluation, this case study hopes to provide recommendations for other destinations who aim to work towards sustainable tourism goals.

Biosynthesis and Processing of Cathepsin K in Cultured Human Osteoclasts

Cathepsin K (cat K) is the major cysteine protease expressed in osteoclasts and is thought to play a key role in matrix degradation during bone resorption. However, little is known regarding the synthesis, activation, or turnover of the endogenous enzyme in osteoclasts. In this study, we show that mature cat K protein and enzyme activity are localized within osteoclasts. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that, following the synthesis of pro cat K, intracellular conversion to the mature enzyme occurred in a time-dependent manner. Subsequently, the level of mature enzyme decreased. Little or no cat K was observed in the culture media at any timepoint. Pretreatment of osteoclasts with either chloroquine or monensin resulted in complete inhibition of the processing of newly synthesized cat K. In addition, pro cat K demonstrated susceptibility to treatment with N-glycosidase F, suggesting the presence of high-mannose-containing oligosaccharides. Treatment of osteoclasts with the PI3-kinase inhibitor, Wortmannin (WT), not only prevented the intracellular processing of cat K but also resulted in the secretion of proenzyme into the culture media. Taken together, these results suggest that the biosynthesis, processing, and turnover of cat K in human osteoclasts is constitutive and occurs in a manner similar to that of other known cysteine proteases. Furthermore, cat K is not secreted as a proenzyme, but is processed intracellularly, presumably in lysosomal compartments prior to the release of active enzyme into the resorption lacunae.

CSR among Canadian mass tour operators: good awareness but little action

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an exploratory case study of mass mainstream tour operators in the Canadian market and evaluate their awareness level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. The research aims to address the structure and ownership of mass Canadian tour operators, how it may influence the adoption of CSR practices, key issues and concerns and awareness level and participation of CSR practices. Although the Canadian outbound leisure mass market is relatively small compared with that of the UK, Canadian travelers are a significant source of tourism to Mexico and the Caribbean islands such as Cuba and the Dominican Republic.Design/methodology/approach – Canadian mass tour operators were contacted through interviews and questionnaires to assess the structure and ownership of mass Canadian tour operators, how it may influence the adoption of CSR practices, key issues and concerns and awareness level and participation of CSR practices. Existing responsible tourism p...

How climate change is considered in sustainable tourism policies: a case of the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Mallorca.

Mediterranean island case studies of Calvia, Mallorca, and Malta are used to examine how sustainable tourism policies do, do not, and should factor in climate change in order to reduce the vulnerabilities of the tourism sector to climate change. Data were collected from key actors responsible for policy implementation as well as tourism policy and planning documents from Malta�s and Calvia�s tourism industries. Tourism in both sites has signifi cant vulnerabilities to climate change, but climate change was rarely stated as being an important tourism issue. That was the case even when policies include measures that contribute to climate change adaptation, although those policies were implemented for reasons other than climate change. Six policy suggestions are made for adapting to climate change in the case studies� tourism industries: Enacting effective control systems to ensure that policies are implemented and monitored; improving education and awareness on climate change and its potential impacts; placing sustainable tourism and climate change within broader policy frameworks; implementing economic incentives to encourage adjustment strategies; using accountable, fl exible, and participatory approaches for addressing climate change in sustainable tourism policies; and fi lling in policy gaps while further integrating policies. Placing climate change into wider contexts reveals that some aspects of tourism might not be sustainable for small islands. Climate change should therefore be one dimension among many topics within sustainable tourism policies. That approach would provide impetus and support for pursuing strategies that should also be implemented for reasons other than climate change.

Inaction more than action: barriers to the implementation of sustainable tourism policies

1. Sustainable Tourism Futures: Perspectives on Systems, Restructuring and Innovations Part 1: Theoretical Foundations: Re-thinking the Tourism System 2. 30 Years of Sustainable Tourism: Drivers, Progress, Problems - and the Future 3. Reflections on Sustainable Tourism and Paradigm Change Part 2: Restructuring the Tourism System: Practical Examples 4. Inaction More than Action: Barriers to the Implementation of Sustainable Tourism Policies 5. Transport and Tourism in Scotland: A Case Study of Scenario Planning at VisitScotland 6. Tourism and Climate Change Mitigation: Which Data is Needed for What Use? 7. Theory and Practice of Environmental Management and Monitoring in Hotel Chains 8. Sustainable Ski Resort Principles: An Uphill Journey 9. Piloting a Carbon Emissions Audit for an International Arts Festival Under Tight Resource Constraints: Methods, Issues and Results 10. Voluntary Carbon Offsets a Contribution to Sustainable Tourism? Part 3: Innovation: Sustainable Tourism Futures 11.The Implementation of Sustainable Tourism: A Project Based Perspective 12. Carbon Labelling and Restructuring Travel Systems: Involving Travel Agencies in Climate Change Mitigation 13. Moving Towards Low-Carbon Tourism: New Opportunities for Destinations and Tour Operators 14. Sustainable Transportation Guidelines for Nature-Based Tour Operators 15. Tourism Firm Innovation and Sustainability 16. Synthesis and Conclusions

What drives environmental sustainability in the New Zealand wine industry

Purpose – While global wine consumption is growing, environmental sustainability in the wine industry is also receiving increased attention from retailers, governments, environmental groups, and consumers. New Zealand has experienced a winery boom over the past two decades with a 173 per cent increase in the number of wineries. Along with this growth, wineries are also facing issues such as water consumption, its impact on community, and waste management. The study therefore seeks to examine: the current sustainability initiatives undertaken by wineries; what drives the wine industry to engage in sustainable practices; and barriers to implementing sustainable practices.Design/methodology/approach – Using a mixed method research approach, this study uses a triangulated approach to examine interviews and questionnaires to determine motivations and elements of influence.Findings – This study found that the strong drivers for the sustainability initiatives are their concern about the state of the environment ...

Potential for sustainability eco‐labeling in Ontario's wine industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the degree of consumer interest in an eco‐labeling program for the Ontario wine industry and determine whether there is a willingness‐to‐pay a premium for eco‐labeled Ontario wines.Design/methodology/approach – The study was a quantitative survey of 401 wine consumers in Ontario, collected at Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) retail stores and winery retail stores. Results were analyzed using quantitative non‐parametric statistical analyses.Findings – It was revealed that while most Ontario wine consumers do not presently purchase eco‐labeled wine regularly, the majority (90 per cent) are at least somewhat interested in purchasing eco‐labeled wine and that the majority would be willing to pay a premium of

Canada's Tourism Industry—Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change: A Lot of Concern but Little Action

0.51 or more (65 per cent). Consumers also indicated a preference for a seal of approval style label with multiple levels that contained a website from which they could obtain detailed information on certification.Practical implications – These resu...