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What are the key tenets of corporate
social responsibility (CSR) in tourism?
CSR is not only about charity, it is
about an understanding and accept-
ance of responsibility toward society
and the environment. Every decision
and action we make can have an im-
pact, be it positive or negative.
CSR is about the responsibility of
an organisation for the impacts of its
decisions and activities on society and
the environment, through transpar-
ent and ethical behaviour. In short,
responsible tourism asks us to be ac-
countable and respond in order to cre-
ate positive change.
Do you think companies practice re-
sponsible tourism as a way of enhanc-
ing their image and because of public
pressure? Or do you think there are
other, more altruistic reasons?
Offering an experience or product
that is sustainable based on CSR can be
a point of difference with other compa-
nies; destinations and attractions and
can therefore use it to help drive in-
creased business. Moreover, it meets
growing consumer demand for organi-
sations to implement good corporate
social responsibility. So, it is not only
because of public pressure, but makes
business sense.
However, when promoting sustain-
ability credentials it is important that
the link between sustainability and con-
sumer benefits is clear. Moreover, it is
critical that what is being promoted is
genuine and truthful to avoid the nega-
tive associations of ‘green-washing’.
What is the ESRT working toward in
Vietnam?
The European Union (EU) funded
Environmentally and Socially Responsi-
ble Tourism Programme (ESRT) aims at
building the capacity of stakeholders in
the Vietnamese tourism sector for re-
sponsible tourism, which incorporates
the concept of CSR.
Taking hold of the principles of sus-
tainable tourism, Responsible Tourism
offers a potential pathway forward to
a more sustainable future for tourism
policy makers and planners.
Responsible tourism results in opti-
mal use of natural and cultural resourc-
es whilst still conserving and respecting
their integrity and authenticity. It also
fosters viable, long-term economic ben-
efits for all stakeholders that are more
fairly distributed.
Moreover, it leads to more cultur-
ally and environmentally attractive des-
tinations, attracting a more consistent
flow of tourists, and further strength-
ening the local economy and creating
a happier society. Lastly, it helps busi-
nesses to increase demand.
Tourism stakeholders must have
an understanding of the practical and
realistic tools and strategies that they
can implement in order to act more
responsibly. To help meet this chal-
lenge, ESRT will join forces with Vi-
etnam Administration of Tourism to
implement a nation-wide multi-stake-
holder responsible tourism aware-
ness-raising and capacity-building
programme that will provide key sec-
tor stakeholders with the knowledge
and skills needed to act more respon-
sibly in tourism.
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RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
Responsible travel
Duc Hanh
talks to
Kai Partale
,
Tourism Sector Specialist at the
Environmentally and Socially Re-
sponsible Tourism Capacity Devel-
opment Programme (ESRT), about
the sustainable development of
Vietnam’s tourism industry.
Sustainable growth is
particularly important
in hotspots like Hoi An