354
A. Oxenswärdh
have with regards to becoming more sustainable in their operations”. Participants’
responses also highlight that they are particularly aware of the environmental impact
of their business, and for this reason they wish to implement sustainable measures.
This finding is interesting because it differs from previous studies (see Vernon et al.
2003 in South East Corwall, Tzschentke et al. 2008a, b in Scotland, and Van Haarstert
and De Grosbois 2010 in Southern Canada) that claim that many BnB owners have
limited awareness of the impact of their establishments on the environment and
possible initiatives they could implement. Many participants feel that their efforts
and human capital is sometimes going to waste because of lack of communication
between them and Region Gotland as well as among the various region’s departments
involved in sustainability and tourism development.
Some of the participants wishes for a more inclusive and democratic system in
which Region Gotland not only inform about an entrepreneur’s obligations but also,
and in particular, about his/her rights. Some of the comments touched a broad range
of issues, from social to environmental. This lack of clarify, communication, and collaboration between Region Gotland and small, rural, and family-oriented BnB has
important consequences. BnB owners feel that the current legal and policy framework does not encourage the formalization of their business, creating an interesting
parallel between Gotland and Cuba (see Henken 2002). They feel left out and not
supported both financially and through informative and educational events to implement sustainable measures in their establishments. This situation deprives Gotland
from; further developing sustainable environmental and economic measures in the
countryside, and being able to formalize, control, and get revenue from BnB, thus
offering guests a safer environment. It must be said that only three BnB out of ten
were registered with Region Gotland and annually inspected by the food and health
department.
BnB owners, however, continue to hope for a valuable collaboration between
Region Gotland and had plenty of suggestions.
The main themes concerned further education on how to run a BnB, on how to
be more sustainable on a small scale, improving the island’s public transport system
so that guests can reach the BnB via bus instead of renting a car, create information
groups where entrepreneurs with same interests can meet with Region Gotland,
sponsor those business that work towards sustainability, better technology to reach
more guests and become more efficient.
22 Hinders at the Hotels
Lack of communication, clear rules, and heavy bureaucracy within Region Gotland
is also pinpointed by hotel managers as a main hinder for sustainable goals and
actions. Hotel managers talk about the lack of a global and common certification
for the hotels. The amount of different certification models makes it difficult for
them to choose a suitable model for their hotels. In addition, they complain about
the models used to not offer the desired feedback. The certifications are perceived
A. Oxenswärdh
have with regards to becoming more sustainable in their operations”. Participants’
responses also highlight that they are particularly aware of the environmental impact
of their business, and for this reason they wish to implement sustainable measures.
This finding is interesting because it differs from previous studies (see Vernon et al.
2003 in South East Corwall, Tzschentke et al. 2008a, b in Scotland, and Van Haarstert
and De Grosbois 2010 in Southern Canada) that claim that many BnB owners have
limited awareness of the impact of their establishments on the environment and
possible initiatives they could implement. Many participants feel that their efforts
and human capital is sometimes going to waste because of lack of communication
between them and Region Gotland as well as among the various region’s departments
involved in sustainability and tourism development.
Some of the participants wishes for a more inclusive and democratic system in
which Region Gotland not only inform about an entrepreneur’s obligations but also,
and in particular, about his/her rights. Some of the comments touched a broad range
of issues, from social to environmental. This lack of clarify, communication, and collaboration between Region Gotland and small, rural, and family-oriented BnB has
important consequences. BnB owners feel that the current legal and policy framework does not encourage the formalization of their business, creating an interesting
parallel between Gotland and Cuba (see Henken 2002). They feel left out and not
supported both financially and through informative and educational events to implement sustainable measures in their establishments. This situation deprives Gotland
from; further developing sustainable environmental and economic measures in the
countryside, and being able to formalize, control, and get revenue from BnB, thus
offering guests a safer environment. It must be said that only three BnB out of ten
were registered with Region Gotland and annually inspected by the food and health
department.
BnB owners, however, continue to hope for a valuable collaboration between
Region Gotland and had plenty of suggestions.
The main themes concerned further education on how to run a BnB, on how to
be more sustainable on a small scale, improving the island’s public transport system
so that guests can reach the BnB via bus instead of renting a car, create information
groups where entrepreneurs with same interests can meet with Region Gotland,
sponsor those business that work towards sustainability, better technology to reach
more guests and become more efficient.
22 Hinders at the Hotels
Lack of communication, clear rules, and heavy bureaucracy within Region Gotland
is also pinpointed by hotel managers as a main hinder for sustainable goals and
actions. Hotel managers talk about the lack of a global and common certification
for the hotels. The amount of different certification models makes it difficult for
them to choose a suitable model for their hotels. In addition, they complain about
the models used to not offer the desired feedback. The certifications are perceived