This research analyses the current self-reported level of proficiency of environmental skills, the required future level of proficiency, and the gaps between them. Given the increasingly urgent need for the tourism industry to take action to support environmental management practices, this research provides evidence of key environmental skill gaps. Mixed methods research is applied where the sample includes 1404 respondents to a questionnaire and 264 interviewees from senior management of organisations from five tourism sectors (accommodation establishments, food and beverage outlets, destination management organisations, tour operators and travel agents, visitor attractions) in eight European countries. Analysis of variance, t-tests, correlation and cluster analyses, and Pearson Chi-square tests were employed for data analysis. The findings revealed that the country of registration, the size and the tourism sector type influence significantly the current and future proficiency levels of environmental skills, and the gaps between them. Most respondents did not receive environmental skills training. Theoretical, managerial and policy implications are also discussed.
DOCUMENT
This paper adopts a problematising review approach to examine the extent of mitigating climate change research in the sustainable tourism literature. As climate change has developed into an existential global environmental crisis and while tourism's emissions are still increasing, one would expect it to be at the heart of sustainable tourism research. However, from a corpus of 2573 journal articles featuring ‘sustainable tourism’ in their title, abstract, or keywords, only 6.5% covered climate change mitigation. Our critical content analysis of 35 of the most influential papers found that the current methods, scope and traditions of tourism research hamper effective and in-depth research into climate change. Transport, the greatest contributor to tourism's emissions, was mostly overlooked, and weak definitions of sustainability were common. Tight system boundaries, lack of common definitions and incomplete data within tourism studies appear to hamper assessing ways to mitigate tourism's contribution to climate change.
MULTIFILE
This article investigates the transformative impacts of regular nature-based adventure activity engagement and its long-lasting effects on eudaimonic well-being (EWB), specifically mental health. Although extant research highlights a wide range of well-being and mental health benefits from participation in such pursuits, less is known about experienced outdoor adventure enthusiasts for whom adventure is a fundamental and transformational part of their lives. The study builds on an existing conceptual framework that synthesizes pertinent research concepts on nature-based activity engagement and subjective well-being benefits. It presents key findings from 40 semi-structured in-depth online interviews with respondents from the UK, Germany, and Serbia. Interview data were collated and analyzed using a thematic framework approach. The findings highlight the importance of outdoor adventure activity engagement for respondents’ mental and physical health and long-term well-being. Regular activity participation can be transformational in reducing feelings of ill-being and enhancing EWB. It can improve self-efficacy and identity development and promote the fulfilment of psychological needs, facilitated by key transformational catalyzers. Continually entering a liminal state, experiencing emotions, and overcoming challenges and risks during engagement are crucial to “successful” long-lasting transformation. Further research should continue to explore adventure’s transformational and EWB benefits to develop long-term data.
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Development of European Curriculum and multiple degree Master programme in the field of sustainable outdoor hospitality management.
De innovatiewerkplaats Campus Design (CD) richt zich op de duurzame ontwikkeling (SDG) van de campus door middel van praktijkgerichte oplossingen en onderzoek. Vanuit het lectoraat Facility Management van de Hanze, werkt CD samen met kennis- en onderwijsinstellingen, overheden en het bedrijfsleven, bijvoorbeeld om de kwaliteit, gastvrijheid en inclusiviteit te verbeteren zodat iedereen zich welkom voelt op de campus. CD streeft naar een betere aansluiting tussen de ruimte en organisatie op de campus; ook de vergroening en biodiversiteit rekenen we daartoe. Dit doen we door praktijkvragen van onderwijsinstellingen en het bedrijfsleven te koppelen aan praktijkgericht onderzoek van onze senior-onderzoekers, onderzoekers, docenten en studenten, onder meer in architectuur, facility management, gastvrijheid, kunsten en vastgoed. Onze multidisciplinaire aanpak is zeer actiegericht; we willen de campuspraktijk écht veranderen en laten zien dat het betaalbaar is én werkt. We zorgen er dus voor dat oplossingen niet alleen theoretisch en empirisch uitstekend onderbouwd zijn, maar vooral ook praktisch toepasbaar en bewijsbaar beter. Door de goede samenwerking met onze partners, genereert CD oplossingen die onderwijsinstellingen inspireren en hen helpen de SDG te implementeren.
