A Sustainable Supply Chain Management Framework for Tour Operators

Barriers to Tour Operator Sustainable Supply Chain Management

“…Sustainable supply chain management adds the environmental, social and economic impacts of business activities into the management process. These factors build upon the quality management models for which supply chain management was originally designed (Schwartz et al 2008). Eraqi (2006: 470) summarises that 'it is no longer sufficient just to maintain a business; it is necessary to move forward if a business wants to achieve a sustainable future.…”

“…For those operators looking to engage further with sustainability there are guides and recommendations advising them how to implement sustainability management into their business (Schwartz et al 2008;UNEP 2004). The challenge for tour operators going forward is how to practically integrate sustainability into their supply chain when they are only just beginning to understand it and tackle it themselves.…”

“…As Schwartz and Font (2009) point out however, the different goals and priorities of suppliers and operators, the low cost focus in European markets and the complexity of tour operator supply chains compound the difficulty of putting theory into practice. It is vital therefore that those responsible for auditing the supply chain are provided with adequate information so as they can recommend solutions that do not compromise health and safety or the quality of the product.…”

“…This factor alone is a significant barrier to sustainability quoted by most tour operators interviewed for research purposes (Tapper 2001;Schwartz et al 2008, Font et al 2009. Regulation 15(1) provides that the tour operator is liable to the consumer for proper performance of the obligations under the contract-whether these are performed by the tour operator or any of its suppliers (Nelson-Jones and Stewart 1998).…”

Environmental management decision-making in certified hotels

“…Since their study however, increasing tour operator interest in sustainable supply chain management has already driven some supplier actions, despite the operators not wanting to incorporate the myriad of ecolabels in their brochures (Ayuso, 2007). New tour operator-driven industry wide supplier standards are being implemented, and in due course could give accommodation providers marketing benefits (Schwartz, Tapper and Font, 2008). The systematic reporting of carbon driven environmental data is increasing fast due to increased pressures by investment funds for carbon reporting (Kolk, Levy and Pinkse, 2008).…”