A1 Journal article (refereed)
Biodiversity, leadership, and resilience in a national sustainable tourism program (2024)

Sorakunnas, E., Räikkönen, J., Konu, H., Grénman, M., & Tyrväinen, L. (2024). Biodiversity, leadership, and resilience in a national sustainable tourism program. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1080/15022250.2024.2332308

JYU authors or editors

Grénman, Miia

Publication details

All authors or editors: Sorakunnas, Esko; Räikkönen, Juulia; Konu, Henna; Grénman, Miia; Tyrväinen, Liisa

Journal or series: Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism

ISSN: 1502-2250

eISSN: 1502-2269

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 21/03/2024

Volume: Early online

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15022250.2024.2332308

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/94150

Abstract

This study addresses the complex relationship between biodiversity, leadership, and resilience in the tourism industry. We apply case study methodology to examine the potential of Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland program to increase the resilience of the Finnish tourism sector concerning sustainability challenges. The qualitative research data consists of interviews and secondary data analysed with content analyses. According to the results, the program offers support and proactive leadership to the Finnish tourism industry in meeting the rising sustainability demands on biodiversity protection. However, the first biodiversity steps have been small-scale and instrumental, corresponding to a narrow perception of nature’s value. Therefore, the program does not yet fully meet the scale and scope of current biodiversity challenges. Although it is a good start, biodiversity-respectful leadership and resilience building require a strategic approach that also recognizes intrinsic, relational, and ecosystemic biodiversity values accruing broadly to tourists, nature, and humankind.

Keywords: tourism; sustainable development; sustainable tourism; resilience; biodiversity; certification; leadership (properties)