Shedding Light on Eco-Innovation in Tourism: A Critical Analysis

Author： Alonso-Almeida Maria-del-Mar Rocafort Alfredo Borrajo Fernando

Publisher： MDPI

E-ISSN： 2071-1050|8|12|1262-1262

ISSN： 2071-1050

Source： Sustainability, Vol.8, Iss.12, 2016-12, pp. : 1262-1262

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

The recent global increase in the competitiveness of tourism has made the implementation of eco-innovations a differentiating element among both the destinations and companies in the sector, with quality management and contribution to sustainable development being increasingly valued. However, the eco-innovations that have been developed and implemented in tourist industries have rarely been studied. In this study, the eco-innovations that have been developed and implemented by 57 tourism businesses worldwide are analysed. The identified eco-innovations are classified by using different qualitative methodologies. The obtained results shed light on the limited development of eco-innovations in the tourism industry and the industry focuses mainly on product eco-innovations. Several examples by the tourist sub-industry and types of eco-innovation are analysed. Furthermore, this study provides practical information about measures that both businesses and governmental organisations can adopt to promote eco-innovation in the sector.