- Professor, Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Managementedit
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Intrepid Travel, a tour operator, faced deliberation of how to deal with decreasing numbers and revenue to Turkey; one of the company’s largest destinations. In the past, a successful public relations campaign brought people back to... more
Intrepid Travel, a tour operator, faced deliberation of how to deal with decreasing numbers and revenue to Turkey; one of the company’s largest destinations. In the past, a successful public relations campaign brought people back to Nepal after the 2015 earthquake and this case debates whether a similar strategy would also work in Turkey. This case outlines the issues surrounding the two destinations as well as the implications that the company faces in a world of increasing risk to business. This case explores the value of sustainability as well as Stakeholder Theory and Rokeach’s Value theory. Teaching objectives include weighing the values of environmental versus political issues in business as well as addressing cultural bias and personal values in decision making.
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ABSTRACT Over the past few decades Tofino, British Columbia has struggled to balance growth pressures while maintaining its image as a rugged, nature-based tourism destination. As an island destination with limited resources, Tofino is... more
ABSTRACT Over the past few decades Tofino, British Columbia has struggled to balance growth pressures while maintaining its image as a rugged, nature-based tourism destination. As an island destination with limited resources, Tofino is susceptible to the negative impacts of development. Past approaches to managing its growth pressures and adopting practices aimed at improving the area’s sustainability are largely piecemeal in their planning and implementation. Overall, the community’s sustainability efforts are not widespread, nor part of policy or governance. Today, Tofino is increasingly challenged by a combination of visitor-induced development pressures and a limited governance capacity to manage the use of its natural endowments in more sustainable ways. In this chapter we describe Tofino’s development pressures and sustainability challenges, including past planning and policy-related attempts to manage these pressures. We examine the interrelated concepts of governance and sustainability and focus on the notion of good governance and its potential for encouraging more sustainable development in Tofino. We suggest a suite of good governance and ethics-based principles. Finally, we provide an innovative sustainability assessment framework to assist Tofino better manage for long-term community well-being and resilience. Key words: tourism governance, sustainability, ethics, development/impacts, planning and policy, destination management
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It was July 2 and Trina White, the General Manager (GM) of the Parkside Hotel in Victoria, Canada was sitting in her office. She had just reviewed her occupancy figures and realized her costs for labour in her hotel needed to change in... more
It was July 2 and Trina White, the General Manager (GM) of the Parkside Hotel in Victoria, Canada was sitting in her office. She had just reviewed her occupancy figures and realized her costs for labour in her hotel needed to change in order to address the 89% turnover in staffing. In the past year, turnover had cost the hotel CA$202,000 in annual costs, which was close to what was spent on the overall marketing of the business. Victoria is a relatively small city with lots of hotels so it was hard to find staff but the cost to constantly train new staff was not feasible and something needed to change. Later that week, Trina would have a meeting with the shareholders of the hotel but what was she going to suggest?
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Introduction The Parkside Hotel in Victoria, Canada faced an issue of how to deal with high staff turnover, employee dissatisfaction and increasing minimum wage. This case outlines the issues surrounding labour shortages and how to... more
Introduction The Parkside Hotel in Victoria, Canada faced an issue of how to deal with high staff turnover, employee dissatisfaction and increasing minimum wage. This case outlines the issues surrounding labour shortages and how to address sustainability challenges that required investment in order to address increasing business risk. This case is appropriate for marketing, strategy and sustainability-related courses. The case will be particularly useful for students who wish to gain experience in strategy or complex issues relating to business and sustainability. The case will allow students to understand the role a company or organization can play in a larger stakeholder and legal context. It will also aid understanding of the role of shareholders, not just stakeholders, and demonstrate the importance of core business values as a means of doing good, not just doing well.
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Although the authors of the lead-off article bring up some very valid points surrounding definitions that seem to be so much of the focus on tourism research, this author questions whether we are debating the right issues. First, this... more
Although the authors of the lead-off article bring up some very valid points surrounding definitions that seem to be so much of the focus on tourism research, this author questions whether we are debating the right issues. First, this author questions what is the difference between sustainable tourism and ecologically sustainable development? This author believed that ecologically sustainable development was one of the pillars of sustainability: the balance of socio-cultural, environmental and economic factors for the long-term well being of contemporary and future generations? The authors of the lead-article asked "how much should sustainable tourism and sustainable development goals enter into the assessment of the future?" This author believes the fundamental goals of the two are different? The question should not be how much but rather how? The issues that call for more sustainable forms of tourism and tourism development arose from the same concerns over general sustainable development over twenty years ago (Bramwell and Lane 1993; Eber 1992; Hall and Jenkins 1995). If the tourism industry is going to carry on into the future, then perhaps the question should be how to implement these goals more successfully rather than debating another definition which possibly outlines the same issue that the definition of sustainable tourism did originally? Since sustainable tourism development was first discussed, there has been an agreed-upon confusion about whose needs and what time frames should be considered (e.g., Butler 1993, 1998; Sharpley 2003). Today, however, there seems to be no debate that sustainable tourism is needed and the concepts of sustainable tourism are agreed upon: Protect and conserve resources Use a multi-stakeholder approach Be environmentally responsible Maintain the well-being and involvement of the local population or host community
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PurposeThe 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... more
PurposeThe 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/approachThe 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.FindingsIt 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 $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 implicationsThese results provide valuable insights into wine consumers' purchasing behaviours and purchasing preferences with regards to environmentally friendly products. This information can be useful to those involved in implementing the Ontario wine industry's sustainability initiative, Sustainable Winemaking Ontario (SWO), and to wineries and winegrowers who are interested in promoting their actions taken to improve sustainability.Originality/valueThere is presently no published research investigating the potential role for an eco‐labeling and certification program for the Ontario wine industry, or any other Canadian wine industry. There is also a limited research on willingness‐to‐pay within the food and beverage sector.
Research Interests: Business, Marketing, Wine Tourism, Wine, Business and Management, and 14 moreSustainable Tourism Certification, Wine Marketing, Design Methodology, Ontario, Purchasing, Winery, Certification, Wine Business, Willingness to Pay, Non parametric statistics, Winemaking, Consumer Behaviour, Sustainability, and Wine Industry
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Although bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) represent a small part of the overall accommodation sector, they can contribute to both the positive and negative impacts of the industry. Through a questionnaire of Canada's east and west... more
Although bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) represent a small part of the overall accommodation sector, they can contribute to both the positive and negative impacts of the industry. Through a questionnaire of Canada's east and west coastal B&Bs, findings indicate that financial reasons are the biggest barrier to implementing environmental practices and government incentives and tax rebates may help the uptake of environmental measures. Results from this study can be used to motivate improvements for environmental commitment in this form of accommodation such as cost savings and strengthened lines of communication. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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[Introduction]: "Tourism is often not as noticeable as an impact when stories of coal plants and oil field fill the news; however, this does not mean they do not have a significant impact on an area’s natural resources,... more
[Introduction]: "Tourism is often not as noticeable as an impact when stories of coal plants and oil field fill the news; however, this does not mean they do not have a significant impact on an area’s natural resources, infrastructure, and social and cultural environment. Many destinations, such as Singapore, for instance, receive three visitors a year for every permanent resident (about 17 million tourists per year compared with 5 million residents), a ratio that would strain the social and environmental carrying capacity of many destinations. Looking at just one resource—water—shows the need for sustainability to become commonplace. Hotels pay for wat er twice—once to bring it in and once to dispose of it. A three-star hotel uses the equivalence of approximately 350 l per guest per night—the same amount as a rural village uses for 100 homes. A luxury five-st ar hotel such as the Shangri-La in Singapore uses the equivalent of 1,800 l of water per guest per night. In many Corporate Responsibility reports, a “best practice” for potable water is 3,413 l per guest per night, however, in a destination that has major water issues such as Singapore; this is hardly to be considered a best practice."
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Introduction The Parkbus case raises important questions about how tourism can be implemented more sustainably and highlights issues relating to eco-mobility in both access for marginalized groups to the outdoors as well as carbon... more
Introduction The Parkbus case raises important questions about how tourism can be implemented more sustainably and highlights issues relating to eco-mobility in both access for marginalized groups to the outdoors as well as carbon reduction through transportation. In the exploration of the case, first three key issues are raised about mobility in and around protected areas. Then some avenues are identified for study and some discussion questions are provided for use in seminars and the classroom. This case is suitable for students from marketing, tourism development, transportation, planning and sustainability related courses.
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n Like many island economies, St. Kitts is at a crossroads. The acceleration of globalization and the decision of the European Union in 2005 to remove preferential treatment for its main industry, sugar cane, have left the island with... more
n Like many island economies, St. Kitts is at a crossroads. The acceleration of globalization and the decision of the European Union in 2005 to remove preferential treatment for its main industry, sugar cane, have left the island with limited options. Tourism has now become the key avenue for economic growth. Destinations go through various cycles, both popular and unstable, which are affected by market and tourism trends as well environmental and social factors. For many tourism destinations, especially islands, there is intense competition and weak differentiating factors and the product has become commoditized. As tourism has been put forth as the key driver for economic growth and sustainability within the island, long term strategies need to be put in place to adapt to changing trends and markets. There is a need for strong governance and resource management using an integrated and holistic framework. The destination life cycle model provides a useful framework for a discussion of the factors which inhibit sustainable tourism development in islands and various measures that are needed to ensure a stable economy. St. Kitts will be used as a specific case to illustrate these factors in an island context.
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ABSTRACT Dodds, R. and Holmes, M.R., 2020. Preferences at city and rural beaches: Are the tourists different? Journal of Coastal Research, 36(2), 393–402. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Visiting a beach is one of the most... more
ABSTRACT Dodds, R. and Holmes, M.R., 2020. Preferences at city and rural beaches: Are the tourists different? Journal of Coastal Research, 36(2), 393–402. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Visiting a beach is one of the most popular tourist activities and one that draws people to the surrounding area. Although much literature has been written on tourism, little examines preferences for visitor behavior in a rural versus urban setting or whether that behavior is linked to environmental management of the setting. To this end, this paper examines tourists' motivations to visit beaches, as well as their experiences, perceptions, demographics, and desires, all within the context of the tourists' geographic orientation (i.e. urban vs. rural). Drawing on responses from 1664 quantitative surveys from Ontario beaches in Canada, this research found that beachgoers to rural beaches were more likely to have higher income levels but lower levels of education than city beachgoers. Rural beachgoers were also more likely to spend more per trip, as well as having higher levels of overall satisfaction. Findings also show that beachgoers to both rural and city beaches would be more willing to make the Blue Flag environmental management designation a component of their future beach going decision if they were aware of which beaches had the certification. The outcomes of this research have implications for beach destinations, tourism organizations, and municipalities, enabling them to better understand beachgoers and derive targeted marketing strategies.
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This case recounts how Parkbus, a social innovation organization founded in 2010 in Ontario, Canada, simultaneously improved access for people with less mobility to experience nature, and reduced carbon emissions and congestion. Through... more
This case recounts how Parkbus, a social innovation organization founded in 2010 in Ontario, Canada, simultaneously improved access for people with less mobility to experience nature, and reduced carbon emissions and congestion. Through partnerships with key Canadian organizations such as the Toronto Dominion Bank, Mountain Equipment Co-op and Parks Canada, this case highlights a sustainable transportation and tourism innovation, as well as positive externalities and opportunities that can be created by small but well-placed and well-timed initiatives. Information © Rachel Dodds 2021
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ABSTRACT This paper seeks to profile the views and characteristics of travellers to Koh Phi Phi, an island in southwestern Thailand. The island is facing many issues of environmental and social degradation as a result of tourism related... more
ABSTRACT This paper seeks to profile the views and characteristics of travellers to Koh Phi Phi, an island in southwestern Thailand. The island is facing many issues of environmental and social degradation as a result of tourism related over-development. Using individual surveys, visitors were probed to determine their attitudes towards sustainability in Koh Phi Phi and their potential willingness to pay to preserve its environment. The study concludes that travellers are prepared to take responsibility and to pay to help prevent further degradation of the island. The majority of visitors believe tourists should be a key stakeholder in the preservation and protection and are willing to pay an additional tax for this purpose. It is also noteworthy that visitors' willingness to pay for environmental improvements varied only marginally based on travellers' income levels, although the average amount that travellers were willing to pay increased for those with higher income.
Research Interests: Business, Geography, Anthropology, Perception, Conservation, and 13 moreStakeholders, Environmental Management, Thailand, Sustainable Tourism, Stakeholder Relationships & Issues Management, Tourism, Willingness To Pay-WTP, Environmental degradation, Willingness to Pay, Stakeholder, Sustainability, Tourism Anthropology, and Koh Phi Phi
Abstract As competition increases, so does the need for a destination to differentiate itself. Blue Flag, a voluntary environmental certification, has been described as an effective marketing tool to communicate nature-based management to... more
Abstract As competition increases, so does the need for a destination to differentiate itself. Blue Flag, a voluntary environmental certification, has been described as an effective marketing tool to communicate nature-based management to consumers. Does certification, however, influence the consumer's choice when choosing a destination? This study examined consumer's satisfaction of beach characteristics and tourist preferences for beach selection through subjective indicators of destination competitiveness. Findings show that knowledge of Blue Flag certification increased the importance that beachgoers placed on selecting future destinations, as well as higher levels of overall satisfaction, satisfaction with water quality, water cleanliness and beach cleanliness. These results suggest that beach certification is a signal of indirect competitiveness. As such, tourism agencies may be able to deploy the results of this research to support their decision to utilize certifications as a means of differentiation, as well as being a strategy through which to educate the beachgoers of their role in protecting and maintaining the beach for current and future generations.
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Summary After waking up from a 5-day coma after a sports injury, Calen McNeil did not want to waste his second chance at life and knew his purpose was to do something good and valuable. Big Wheel Burger has been adding locations at a... more
Summary After waking up from a 5-day coma after a sports injury, Calen McNeil did not want to waste his second chance at life and knew his purpose was to do something good and valuable. Big Wheel Burger has been adding locations at a steady pace since opening its doors in 2011 and was also Canada’s first carbon-neutral fast-food restaurant. With five locations currently open and another due to open later in 2023, Calen knew that his business model was a good one, but he also knew profits were not the only thing in question. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, he realized he wanted to play a bigger role in helping his community. The question was, how could he change his business model to have an even greater positive impact? Information © The Authors 2023
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Plusieurs regions dans le monde sont tributaires du tourisme comme moyen de subsistance. Pour nombre d’entre elles, la contribution economique du tourisme ne cesse d’augmenter d’annee en annee. Bien que le tourisme apporte plusieurs... more
Plusieurs regions dans le monde sont tributaires du tourisme comme moyen de subsistance. Pour nombre d’entre elles, la contribution economique du tourisme ne cesse d’augmenter d’annee en annee. Bien que le tourisme apporte plusieurs avantages (revenu, emplois, developpement economique), de nombreuses destinations connaissent des problemes importants au niveau environnemental et social, faisant alors du tourisme durable une perspective de developpement souhaitable et necessaire. Meme si la lit...
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Intrepid Travel, a tour operator, faced deliberation of how to deal with decreasing numbers and revenue to Turkey; one of the company’s largest destinations. In the past, a successful public relations campaign brought people back to... more
Intrepid Travel, a tour operator, faced deliberation of how to deal with decreasing numbers and revenue to Turkey; one of the company’s largest destinations. In the past, a successful public relations campaign brought people back to Nepal after the 2015 earthquake and this case debates whether a similar strategy would also work in Turkey. This case outlines the issues surrounding the two destinations as well as the implications that the company faces in a world of increasing risk to business. This case explores the value of sustainability as well as Stakeholder Theory and Rokeach’s Value theory. Teaching objectives include weighing the values of environmental versus political issues in business as well as addressing cultural bias and personal values in decision making.
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Festivals can have multiple economic and social benefits for both communities and destinations. They can, however, also have serious negative environmental and social impacts and moving to make festivals more sustainable is important.... more
Festivals can have multiple economic and social benefits for both communities and destinations. They can, however, also have serious negative environmental and social impacts and moving to make festivals more sustainable is important. Currently in Canada, although there have been many highlighted approaches to making meetings and events more environmentally conscious, there are no certifications or benchmarks for the greening of festivals. The purpose of this case study is, therefore, to highlight research undertaken for the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change in Ontario, Canada that sought to develop a best practice guide for greening festivals and understand the key elements required to ensure success. Reviewing festivals worldwide as well as benchmarking and assessing local festivals in Ontario, the guide developed outlines key sustainability practices that festivals have undertaken, as well as numerous resources which festival managers seek.
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Ten years ago, in 2012, the United Nations announced a global waste crisis. The festival industry produces a significant amount of waste; however, management practices and policies across locational contexts can help address... more
Ten years ago, in 2012, the United Nations announced a global waste crisis. The festival industry produces a significant amount of waste; however, management practices and policies across locational contexts can help address sustainability goals. This study used Mair and Jago's model to understand the drivers and barriers experienced by festival organizers in Canada and New Zealand. Five key findings emerged from this study: (1) similarities in context, drivers, barriers, and catalysts exist across these two countries; (2) internal forces were generally more significant drivers than external forces; (3) waste management companies hold the potential to be a significant catalyst; (4) the most prominent barriers were a lack of resources and a lack of knowledge/awareness/skill; (5) political leadership as a contextual factor can support the adoption of festival waste management practices. Recommendations are put forth to leverage drivers and fill management and policy gaps in suppor...
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The focus of this research was to determine if, based on the research on the opinions of the academics and sector stakeholders (private, public and NGO respondents), sustainable tourism policy is being achieved in practice and if not,... more
The focus of this research was to determine if, based on the research on the opinions of the academics and sector stakeholders (private, public and NGO respondents), sustainable tourism policy is being achieved in practice and if not, what the reasons were for failure of policy implementation. The research used exploratory and descriptive research approaches as well as both qualitative and quantitative methods through comparison of two Mediterranean islands: Calviá (Mallorca, Spain) and Malta. Case study research in these two destinations was undertaken as both destinations are in the Mediterranean, their main tourist product is sea, sun, sand packages dominated by tour operators, tourism developed rapidly during the 1960’s and both destinations are facing a loss of tourists and increased competition.
The Theory of the Commons was used as a conceptual framework which suggests that in the short term, the individual advantage of exploiting shared or pooled resources is often perceived as being greater than the potential long-term shared losses that result from their deterioration, and consequently there is little motivation for individual actors to invest or engage in protection or conservation.
The Theory of the Commons was used as a conceptual framework which suggests that in the short term, the individual advantage of exploiting shared or pooled resources is often perceived as being greater than the potential long-term shared losses that result from their deterioration, and consequently there is little motivation for individual actors to invest or engage in protection or conservation.
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Sustainable Tourism in Island Destinations builds on existing literature in the subject by providing innovative discussions and practical management structures through the use of the authors' various island project work. An original... more
Sustainable Tourism in Island Destinations builds on existing literature in the subject by providing innovative discussions and practical management structures through the use of the authors' various island project work. An original feature is the focus on islands which are part of larger nations, rather than just on island sovereign states. Through an illustrated case study approach, the book focuses on the successes and challenges islands face in achieving sustainable tourism. The authors put forward innovative mechanisms such as multi-stakeholder partnerships and incentive-driven non-regulatory approaches as ways that the sustainability agenda can move forward in destinations that face specific challenges due to their geography and historic development. The case studies - from Canada, St Kitts, Honduras, China, Indonesia, Spain, Tanzania and Thailand - provide the foundation which suggests that alternative approaches to tourism development are possible if they retain sustainability as a priority.