Tourism offers many benefits, both to the destinations and local communities as well as to the tourists themselves. However, it can also have many detrimental effects, especially for the natural environment regarding loss of biodiversity, pollution and as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, there is an increasing awareness among policymakers, players in the tourism and hospitality industry and tourists that more sustainable practices are required to ensure the long-term viability of tourism. This book takes a managerial perspective to outline how various functions of business in tourism and hospitality can contribute to a more sustainable tourism. Drawing on a study tour to Dubai, each chapter illustrates the various functional perspectives with good practices encountered in Dubai and offers recommendations for practice.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- Dirk Klimkeit and Caroline Wong
- 2 Strategies in Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship: Introducing Sustainable Offers
- Laura Wycisk
- 3 Integration of Technology and Sustainability within Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Efforts: The Case of Dubai
- Yuexian Chen and Caroline Wong
- 4 Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Dubai: Integrating Tradition, Innovation, and Environmental Stewardship
- Rania Putri Rahmandawati and Caroline Wong
- 5 Education for Sustainability in Selected Hospitality and Tourism Businesses in Dubai
- Jonas Baumgart
- 6 Creating Employment for Local Communities
- Minhvi-Sandy Le
- 7 Global Talent Management in Dubai's Hospitality and Tourism Industry: Balancing Global Integration and Local Sustainability
- Nguyen Thi Diep and Caroline Wong
- 8 Transportation and Logistics: Reducing Energy Consumption and CO2 Emissions
- Dennis Fahrenholz
- 9 Community Involvement and Stakeholder Engagement
- Simon Hettler
- 10 Deriving Business Benefits from CSR
- Lars van Baßhuysen
- 11 Sustainable Tourism in Dubai: Strategic Leadership, Government Initiatives, and Targeted Marketing
- Dheavanisya Cendikia Utami and Caroline Wong
Purpose & Key Themes
This edited volume explores the practical implementation of sustainable practices within the tourism and hospitality (T&H) sector, specifically using Dubai as a prominent case study. The primary objective is to take a managerial perspective, identifying and analyzing how businesses in this rapidly developing global destination are addressing and integrating sustainability into their operations, encompassing economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
- Exploring strategies in entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship for sustainable offers.
- Investigating the role of technology and innovation in sustainable entrepreneurial efforts.
- Addressing talent management and human resource strategies for local communities and global talent in T&H.
- Examining community involvement and effective stakeholder engagement in sustainable tourism.
- Analyzing the business benefits derived from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
- Highlighting strategic leadership, government initiatives, and targeted marketing in sustainable tourism development.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2 Insights from the practice
Dubai as a research site offers an interesting basis for research in the field of sustainable tourism and the role of entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. The city is a major international tourist destination that is increasingly introducing measures to integrate sustainable practices into the tourism and hospitality sector. This allows for the exploration of how entrepreneurs and employees within companies can help promote environmentally friendly initiatives and socially responsible business models that consider both environmental and economic impacts.
As part of a one-week study tour, various forms of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship were examined, and their significance for sustainable practices in the tourism sector and the hospitality industry: Table 1 shows numerous entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial initiatives regarding sustainability. Despite positive developments, there are challenges to be aware of.
The well-known outdoor market in Dubai demonstrates how sustainability can be achieved through various practices. Fresh local produce reduces transportation emissions and supports regional farmers, while artisanal crafts and clothing utilize eco-friendly materials and sustainable production methods. The small petting zoo emphasizes animal welfare and conservation education. Food trucks and cafés implement waste reduction strategies, use biodegradable packaging, and source ingredients locally. Notably, a major British cosmetics company uses paper bags instead of plastic, reducing single-use materials and promoting eco-friendly pack-aging options. Many of these practices are inspired by social media, as the entre- and intrapreneurs highlighted.
The market showcases how entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs can drive positive change through sustainable offerings. Despite the pressure to achieve quick profits and publicity, these examples highlight the importance of maintaining a focus on sustainability. Such practices not only align with ethical standards but also provide a competitive advantage, ensuring long-term success. However, businesses must also address challenges, such as ethical considerations in animal care at the petting zoo, and critically assess their environmental impact to meet sustainability goals.
Particularly noteworthy is the Desert Tour, which has evolved from intrapreneurship to entrepreneurship. The Desert Tour started as an internal project (intrapreneurship) that the founder initially proposed at his former employer. However, the idea was only partially implemented there, which led the founder to take matters into his own hands. He decided to start his own company to realize the idea fully according to his vision. This demonstrates how an internal project can evolve into an independent business (entrepreneurship) when the original plan does not receive the desired support. These tours rely on sustainable practices to protect the sensitive desert environment. For example, they not only promote eco-tourism through refillable aluminum water bottles but also raise awareness of the need to protect natural resources and support local communities. Another notable feature is that young people want to make a clear statement here, and their importance should not be underestimated. Three Australian guides who came to Dubai especially for this exciting task were introduced and reported a high level of job satisfaction. This job supports cultural enrichment and a sustainable mindset.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter introduces sustainable practices in tourism and hospitality, highlighting the benefits and detrimental effects of tourism, and emphasizing the need for sustainable approaches based on UNWTO definitions and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Chapter 2: Strategies in Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship: Introducing Sustainable Offers: This section explores the critical role of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship in promoting sustainability within Dubai's growing tourism sector, analyzing practical initiatives and the challenges faced by businesses in implementing sustainable offerings.
Chapter 3: Integration of Technology and Sustainability within Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Efforts: The Case of Dubai: This chapter investigates how new technologies like AI, IoT, and data analytics are integrated with sustainable practices in Dubai's entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial ventures to address economic, environmental, and social challenges.
Chapter 4: Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Dubai: Integrating Tradition, Innovation, and Environmental Stewardship: This part examines Dubai's sustainable entrepreneurship initiatives that blend traditional practices with modern innovation and environmental stewardship, focusing on case studies like farmers' markets, organic cafes, and farms.
Chapter 5: Education for Sustainability in Selected Hospitality and Tourism Businesses in Dubai: This chapter focuses on the importance of educating employees in the tourism and hospitality sector about sustainability, proposing a comprehensive curriculum and discussing effective learning and teaching methods based on insights from Dubai businesses.
Chapter 6: Creating Employment for Local Communities: This section addresses the challenges and opportunities of creating employment for local communities in Dubai's tourism and hospitality sectors, highlighting the underrepresentation of Emiratis and the government's Emiratisation policy.
Chapter 7: Global Talent Management in Dubai's Hospitality and Tourism Industry: Balancing Global Integration and Local Sustainability: This chapter explores the benefits and challenges of attracting and retaining global talent in Dubai's hospitality industry, emphasizing the need to balance global integration with local talent development and cultural identity.
Chapter 8: Transportation and Logistics: Reducing Energy Consumption and CO2 Emissions: This section focuses on sustainable transportation and logistics practices in Dubai's tourism sector, including initiatives to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions through renewable energy, efficient technologies, and public transport.
Chapter 9: Community Involvement and Stakeholder Engagement: This chapter delves into the importance of community involvement and stakeholder engagement for hospitality businesses in Dubai, examining how these strategies build sustainable relationships and contribute to social and economic well-being.
Chapter 10: Deriving Business Benefits from CSR: This chapter analyzes how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives create business benefits for tourism and hospitality companies in Dubai, discussing its definition, principles, and strategic implementation through case studies.
Chapter 11: Sustainable Tourism in Dubai: Strategic Leadership, Government Initiatives, and Targeted Marketing: This final chapter summarizes Dubai's holistic approach to sustainable tourism, showcasing the role of strategic leadership, government initiatives, and targeted marketing in promoting sustainable practices and enhancing its global appeal.
Keywords
Sustainable Tourism, Hospitality Industry, Dubai, Entrepreneurship, Intrapreneurship, Green Technologies, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Talent Management, Local Communities, CO2 Emissions, Waste Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Environmental Stewardship, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Urban Mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this work essentially about?
This edited volume focuses on the practical implementation of sustainable practices within the tourism and hospitality sectors, using Dubai as a detailed case study to explore how businesses and government initiatives contribute to sustainability.
What are the central thematic areas?
The central thematic areas include sustainable entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, the integration of technology for sustainability, talent management, community involvement and stakeholder engagement, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and strategic leadership in sustainable tourism in Dubai.
What is the primary goal or research question?
The primary goal is to investigate how sustainable practices in the tourism and hospitality industry can be effectively implemented in practice, adopting a managerial perspective on what businesses in Dubai are doing and can do.
Which scientific method is used?
The work primarily employs a qualitative research approach based on a study tour to Dubai, involving firsthand observations, company visits, presentations by managers, and insights from existing literature reviews.
What is covered in the main part?
The main part of the book covers various initiatives and case studies in Dubai related to sustainable strategies, technology integration, human resources, community engagement, business benefits from CSR, and marketing efforts within the tourism and hospitality industry.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms characterizing this work include Sustainable Tourism, Hospitality Industry, Dubai, Entrepreneurship, Intrapreneurship, Green Technologies, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Talent Management, Local Communities, CO2 Emissions, Waste Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Environmental Stewardship, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
What is the "Dubai Can" initiative and its impact on sustainable tourism?
The "Dubai Can" initiative is a city-wide campaign supported by the Dubai government to reduce single-use plastic consumption by promoting refillable water bottles. In its first year, it successfully eliminated over seven million 500 ml plastic bottles, significantly contributing to waste reduction and environmental awareness in the city's tourism sector.
How does Hotel B contribute to sustainability through the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project?
Hotel B leads the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP), which rescues, rehabilitates, and releases sea turtles back into the wild. This initiative not only protects endangered species and raises public awareness but also enhances the hotel's brand image, customer loyalty, and employee motivation, showcasing integrated CSR in action.
What is the Emiratisation policy in Dubai's tourism and hospitality sector?
Emiratisation is a strategic initiative by the UAE government to increase Emirati participation in the private sector, including tourism and hospitality. It aims to reduce reliance on foreign labor, provide attractive job opportunities for locals through incentives and training, and foster national economic development.
How does Organic Farm Z demonstrate sustainable agricultural practices in Dubai?
Organic Farm Z in Abu Dhabi utilizes 100% sustainable farming methods, including crop rotation, biodiversity, and hydroponics, which uses 90% less water. It also practices biological pest control and repurposes fish waste from its aquaponics system as fertilizer, exemplifying innovative and environmentally friendly food production in an arid region.
- Citation du texte
- Dirk Klimkeit (Éditeur), Caroline Wong (Éditeur), 2024, Sustainable Practices in Tourism and Hospitality, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1504071
