Xavier Font
Critical Review of Certification and Accreditation in Sustainable Tourism Governance
Xavier Font
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to inform discussions with regards to the feasibility and desirability of using agency funds for certification and accreditation as tools for sustainable development, with particular emphasis on developing countries. This paper aims to demonstrate that it is necessary to undertake a cost-benefit analysis of certification as a sustainable development tool in developing countries.
For the last two decades, certification has been a voluntary mechanism to show high standards of performance beyond legislation. It has been thought to be a source of competitive advantage that allows a small number of firms to stand out from the average. Certification is a valid instrument to gather local stakeholders around the common purpose of defining standards to improve the contribution of tourism to sustainable development. It is also valid to develop structures to encourage and support improvement of business units, working to a standard that will give them peer recognition, staff morale, eco-savings, peace of mind from beyond legislation compliance, all of which make firms more competitive in the medium term.
There are also challenges in certification and accreditation. Early evidence suggests that certification is most suited to those countries with well-established infrastructures and the finances to support industry to reduce its negative impacts. It is also a tool for financially sound firms that have their basic needs covered and feel the need or desire to be more sustainable, and get recognition for it. It is not the best tool for livelihood-based economies or sectors, be it tourism, forestry, agriculture or any other at the center of attention of certification today. Increasing the number of companies that meet these standards allows in the medium term to reach the economies of scale to produce better training for applicants, and marketing of their products. The key challenge is the potential impact this can have on those firms that are not suited to it, if it becomes a powerful tool for increased trade, or if governments and industry associations aim to enforce compulsory standards.
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