New era tourism: SDGs through work, rest and play

How was your holiday? Wherever you went, even if you worked a little bit, I do hope you that you had a good rest and time for some play.

Whether you stayed at your first eco-resort, tried a new dish, visited a women’s farming co-operative or even just strolled through the gentrified art and fashion district of your old town – you would have supported a new era of tourism. Away from the predictable hotel stay or package holiday, today’s tourism seems to mix discovery with relaxation – and even a bit of work.

The United Nations General Assembly designated 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. It’s hoped that this year sees tourism players “change (in) policies, business practices and consumer behavior towards a more sustainable tourism sector that can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)“.

We won’t be able to achieve all that within a year, but 2017 is a great time to start. Not least because support for sustainable tourism is growing amongst customers – for example a survey earlier this year revealed that 93% of travellers from China say they’re more likely to choose an accommodation if it’s eco-friendly.

We’re in the last quarter of 2017, and it’s not too late to reflect on which hotel policies can be evolved, service standards updated and guest experiences enhanced. For me, the SDGs (also know as the Global Goals) offer an excellent starting point, and three in particular naturally map to Work, Rest and Play.

Work

Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) benchmarking report, the global travel and tourism sector employs more people globally than automotive manufacturing, mining, and financial services combined. Goal 8 states that “by giving access to decent work opportunities in the tourism sector, society- particularly youth and women– can benefit from enhanced skills and professional development. There are numerous examples of hotel chains working with charities dedicated to ethnic minority employment and non-profits that train the underprivileged.

With a competitive and discerning workforce, tourism would benefit from rethinking recruitment strategies. No longer is hospitality characterised by decades of loyal staff service. Instead, hotels could think about how to employ return-to-work mothers, migrant workers, vocational graduates and other new sources of talent.

The sector has committed to job creation, and this is recognized in target 8.9(1): “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products”.

Rest

Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

SDG target 12.3 articulates the world’s aspiration that, by 2030, we would halve per-capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains. There are island destinations that have set up their own material recovery facility and boutique destinations that have been composting organic waste to produce nutrient-rich fertilisers to be used in on-premises landscape.

Food waste management is one of the most basic areas that deserves a closer look when it comes to efficiencies. It’s not just about portion control, food costs or better coordination between reservations, sales & marketing. Operators could re-evaluate the effectivity of buffets, for example.

In 2017, we are no longer looking at volume and bounty. Instead, guests want high quality ingredients with a sense of place, prepared by chefs that showcase skill and talent. Hyatt, one of the very pioneers of the buffet concept, is now turning to design thinking to solve food waste generation. Do we (still) need buffets? As diners, perhaps we could dictate what the next iteration could be. Have a think: when was the last time you dined out at a buffet and left a clean plate? Let alone a clean table?

Play

Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

We’ve heard it before: “take only photos and leave only footprints”. Target 15.7 states “Take urgent action to end poaching and tracking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products”.

The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC), sets guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation. It particularly assists operators in educating visitors on regulations concerning wildlife harvesting, consumption and trade and understanding what it means to be listed in endangered species rosters like the IUCN or CITES.

While there’s 13 more years to go with the SDGs, 2017 is THE year for tourism, and the hospitality industry has clear opportunities to contribute and benefit from embracing the goals. Wherever you are on the journey now is the time to step up, celebrate or get started – to work, rest and play for more sustainable tourism today and tomorrow.