Sustainability life
Hållbarhetsklivet is West Sweden’s overall initiative for a sustainable tourism industry. Here we act as a destination together with other public and private actors in West Sweden to convert to a sustainable society in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Together, we create economically viable businesses and tourism that does not lead to unnecessary environmental impacts and is appreciated by both residents and visitors. We achieve success together through continuous improvements focusing on concrete initiatives and we often encourage each other in each other’s progress. Nothing happens by itself and it takes leadership and teamwork to achieve a sustainable tourism industry. The sustainability journey is directly linked to several of the 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda, with a particular focus on Goal 8 (target 8.9), Goal 12 (target 12b) and Goal 13 (target 13.3).
We work with four basic sustainability keys
1. as little unnecessary environmental impact as possible
Travel always has an impact on the environment, and transportation to and from the destination as well as activities and consumption on site lead toCO2 emissions. But you as a visitor can make active choices together with us that would mean a smaller impact on nature and the environment. But the overall environmental impact of the tourism industry is determined by the choices the visitor makes in terms of means of transportation, length of travel, length of stay, consumption and actions on site. As a destination, we can influence this together with you as a guest by developing and marketing things that contribute to as little unnecessary environmental impact as possible. By taking care of our nature, we ensure that we can continue to offer an attractive destination in the future.
- Home and local markets
The shorter the journey, the lower theCO2 emissions. We encourage you to go on home stays, overnight stays and staycations. This does not mean that you as an international guest are not welcome of course, but we really want to encourage you who do not live so far away to experience our beautiful country, which has so much to offer. - Sustainable transport
Transport is the single most important factor in the environmental impact of the tourism industry. We are aware of this and do our utmost to plan and choose our transportation carefully. When it comes to purchasing food, drinks, consumables and other items, we try to coordinate these as best we can. We offer our conference guests the opportunity to carpool by bus to and from us in connection with conferences and events, and in the parking lot there are several charging stations for those with electric cars. - Getting guests to stay longer per stay
Together, we make major environmental savings when guests stay several nights each stay instead of staying for a few nights here and there. This results in less transportation per guest night and requires less cleaning and laundry. We therefore clarify an offer that we want to make you as a guest curious to stay longer, and maybe take the opportunity to discover beautiful Fjällbacka and Grebbestad while you are here. - Sustainable actors
We have an active environmental work both internally within our own business, as well as externally with schools such as IHM Business School. We have joined Hållbarhetsklivet with a single mission – to contribute to a sustainable society. - Sustainable activities
What you do as a visitor during your stay with us affects the environment in different ways depending on the choices you make. By offering attractive activities and experiences with as little unnecessary environmental impact as possible, together we can choose sustainable options more often. - Making it easy for you as a guest to do the right thing
The same stay can be more or less sustainable depending on how it is planned and how you as a guest act during your time with us. We are constantly working to develop new choices and practical conditions with more sustainable options for you as a guest to choose over less sustainable ones.
3. More guests when and where it is not full
Occupancy rates at accommodation facilities across West Sweden show that there is potential to accommodate more guests at most sites for most of the year. Some sites with high occupancy rates could accommodate even more visitors if investments are made in increased accommodation capacity. The vast majority of sites in West Sweden never experience over-tourism. However, some places cannot accommodate more visitors during certain periods without undesirable consequences. It can damage natural and cultural values, it risks creating conflicts in the local community and the visitor can have a negative experience. Sustainability Cliff’s strategy to contribute to more visitors when and where it is not full is:
- To implement development and marketing initiatives that create increased occupancy at the desired times and in the desired places
Consistent occupancy during a large part of the year and across large parts of West Sweden and Sweden creates the conditions for a long-term sustainable tourism industry. Together with the West Sweden Tourist Board, we develop and market targeted initiatives rather than general ones where we can clearly influence where and when the visitor visits us. - Taking preparatory measures to manage the risk of over-tourism
In many cases, over-tourism can be managed through good planning and does not always mean limiting the number of visitors. Problems with large temporary visitor flows to a single place can often be solved through improved infrastructure, good logistics and pre-visit information. In this way, it is possible in many cases to manage large visitor flows without it being perceived as over-tourism. This can be done, for example, through systems for booking appointments for popular attractions and sites and being prepared, in extreme cases, to be able to deny access to more visitors due to fullness.
4. More full-time jobs and more robust businesses
The hospitality industry is perhaps the sector most affected by the pandemic that broke out in 2020, highlighting the need to build more economically sustainable businesses that are better equipped for the future. The tourism industry is an important job engine, which is why the industry is supported with public funds in various ways. In some places in West Sweden, the tourism industry is even crucial to employment and the economy. The sector is also important for integration and inclusion as it employs many people with a foreign background and is a gateway to the labor market for many young people.
In many places, seasonal variations make it difficult to offer full-time employment. Employment conditions and working conditions sometimes make it difficult for the sector to attract and retain staff. The Sustainability Cliff’s strategy to contribute to the creation of more full-time jobs and more robust businesses is:
- Implementing measures to create demand when and where it is not full
Consistent occupancy throughout much of the year creates the conditions for increased profitability and more full-time jobs. The efforts to increase occupancy at desired times and places described in the third fundamental principle are therefore central to employment in the tourism industry. - Actively working on economic sustainability
The hospitality industry is mainly made up of small businesses with small margins. The ability to survive in crises and downturns is generally low, which in turn puts many jobs at risk. We are working to strengthen business resilience. - Creating and testing models of collaboration to create more full-time jobs
In places with clear seasonal variations, local collaboration can create opportunities for more full-time employment. We are working to find and are always open to new collaborative opportunities with industry colleagues where we can work together with staff and other related resources. - Making workplaces more attractive
Being a good employer is crucial to attracting and retaining staff. It’s something we’re constantly working on – and we think it’s vital that people enjoy going to work.
