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Eco-accreditation: win-win for the environment and small business?

Burgin, Shelley, Hardiman, Nigel (2010) Eco-accreditation: win-win for the environment and small business? International Journal of Business Studies, 18 (1). pp. 23-38. ISSN 1320-7156. (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:33069)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.

Abstract

The ongoing importance of the tourism and hospitality small business sector to the economic wellbeing of a country has been widely acknowledged internationally. Such businesses are important contributors to the environmental, social and cultural sustainability of their regions. There is growing pressure for such businesses to pursue sustainable development principles, commonly perceived by the owners to elevate costs and reduce competitiveness. In this review paper we consider the benefits for small businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry to gain ecoaccreditation. We conclude that, despite a large number of such schemes, market awareness is typically low but has potential to provide a competitive edge. Small business operators who choose to lead in eco-accreditation would, however, be wise to ensure that they clearly articulate their scheme to potential customers, and target consumers from countries where interest in such schemes is highest.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled keywords: Consumer behaviour, ecotourism, environmental performnce, hospitability, tourism sector
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation. Leisure
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Q Science > QH Natural history
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH75 Conservation (Biology)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Depositing User: N.J. Hardiman
Date Deposited: 22 Jan 2013 15:42 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:10 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/33069 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Hardiman, Nigel.

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