Evaluation of Sustainability Standards in the Hotel Sector of the Biosphere Reserve Sumaco in the Amazon Region of Ecuador

Abstract

Tourism plays an important economic role worldwide but has negative environmental, social and cultural impacts. The study examined the sustainability standards in the hotel sector of the Biosphere Reserve Sumaco (BRS) in Ecuador to deduce recommendations for good tourism practices from the status quo and therefore minimize negative effects and optimize current practices of tourism in the future. The study shows (a) a low extent of efforts in the environmental, economic and cultural dimension and (b) partial work in the social dimension of sustainable tourism in the BRS. The sustainability standards, which are valued along sustainable tourism criteria, are neither implemented nor consciously pursued. As well, the analysis illustrates (c) the unconsciousness of the hotel industry according to the importance of the BRS.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ceiba.v51i2.1106