Tourism entrepreneurs 

To many entrepreneurs and the organizations representing them, it is clear that unless we choose for a more responsible development of tourism, the outlook for a sustainable growth of tourism is not very positive. 

Over the past few years, tourism industry has been actively engaged in attempts to formulate the challenges for and their commitment to sustainable tourism in policy statements. Supported by these efforts of policy makers, many entrepreneurs have been doing what they are best at: Action. Through their tourism enterprise they contribute to sustainable development in a variety of ways. In our section on Responsible Entrepreneurship you will find a selection of items varying from Ethical Trade (where all actions are guided by ethical convictions) through Fair Trade (where businessmen contribute to society and realize sustainability by granting each other the right to a fair share) to Responsible Entrepreneurship (where entrepreneurs vow to take responsibility for the consequences of their action for society). From these discussions, NGOs and business organizations have proposed and adopted Codes of Conduct have been developed which can be easily adopted in any business enterprise. To show you that it actually is possible to run an enterprise on these principles we have made up a list of Best Practices for responsible and sustainable entrepreneurship. They are based on criteria and indicators which have been developed in a large variety. This discussion has hardly come to its end. But already many initiatives towards labeling, certification and accreditation for sustainable tourism have been undertaken.

Many projects have been carried out to assist individual tourism companies in realizing responsible entrepreneurship. These often offer concrete and practical actions which enhance the sustainable quality of your company, without threatening its economic continuity. Here we offer you a collection of methods and tools which will help you in becoming a responsible entrepreneur. The importance of intermediary organizations to assist tourism entrepreneurs in finding their way in the jungle of sustainable tourism initiatives is undisputed. A number of intermediary organizations are relevant for tourism development. To help you in looking for assistance in making your business more sustainable or realizing sustainable projects, we have gathered information on the role of intermediary organizations. 

On a more abstract level the tourism industry has committed itself to taking responsibilities for a sustainable development of tourism. Through a number of interesting events many documents and declarations have been passed, expressing good intentions. And if you have the time, you can read one of the many interesting and relevant documents available, which we have gathered in our resource center.

If you have any suggestion of information we can include, please let us know at frans@retour.net.

Intermediary organizations

The importance of intermediary organizations to assist tourism entrepreneurs in finding their way in the jungle of sustainable tourism initiatives is undisputed. They can be e.g. business associations or Non Governmental Organizations, promoting entrepreneurial skills in tourism.

Depending on your interest in the sustainability of tourism a number of intermediary organizations could be relevant for you. Some organizations are more specialized in expertise on how to improve the economic or social sustainability performance of your business, while others have more on environmental interest or specifically promote the interests of business partners. We have made a list of international organizations and some national organizations who have an international outreach. Remember that most of these organizations have national and regional branches also, perhaps close to you.

International Business Platforms