Openness, participation, transparency, effectiveness, accountability, and coherence are key features of good governance. The management of tourism destinations, organizations, and SMEs requires implementation of good governance processes at all administrative levels. Since the inception of the Agenda 21, the UNWTO and the European Commission have produced good governance guidelines and destination management sets of indicators. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a key concept of business ethics building on the stakeholder approach, assuming a responsibility among firms to pursue social and environmental goals in addition to profit maximization and among a firm’s stakeholders to hold the firm accountable for its actions.
Administrator: Jose Arturo Melo Jacobo, MODUL University lome118@hotmail.com
The Role of Tourism Stakeholders
There are now many administrations, businesses and NGOs who have provided methodologies implementing corporate social responsibility reporting systems, whilst government administrations should be aiming to implement the principles of good governance, the issue of Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (CS&ER) has been used mainly to regulate (through either voluntary or mandatory measures) how businesses conduct themselves, particularly via implementation of sustainable supply chain management and adaptation of environmentally – and socially – responsible value systems.
Governments
A number of good governance and CSR standards are available to governing bodies, NGOs, and private businesses. The development and implementation of good governance and CSR strategies can be considered an organizational change process and involves learning over time. CSR as a business strategy creates business value and positive social change.
NGOs, networks, partnerships
NGOs and networks can provide knowledge and skills that are highly important to good governance and CSR and should actively participate in local governance and management structures for tourism. By forming networks and associations, individual businesses and other interests are better able to provide input to the implementation of good governance and CSR measures.
Research, education, consultancy
The latest academic knowledge in the field of good governance and CSR can be provided to practitioners by research and education institutions, for instance, in the form of workshops.
Destinations
Tourism destinations, notably their Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), could act as an important role model for implementing good governance and CSR measures.
Businesses
Local businesses in the tourism industry and beyond should support and encourage the implementation of good governance and CSR measures for their own sake, individually and supported by their representative bodies.
Travellers
Travelers benefit from well-functioning governance structures established at destinations and single tourism businesses. Conscious visitors would prefer, for instance, staying at accommodations that have a CSR strategy in place (see Accommodation providers on the Green Travel Maps).
GOOD GOVERNANCE & CSR
Knowledge Base Content
