Environmentally sustainable: How are the practices in the organic food tourist route?

This study analyzes Environmentally Sustainable Practices (ESPs) in the Organic Food Tourist Route (OFTR) in South Brazil. Data collection included interviews with open and closed questions about ESPs and the Barometer of Tourism Sustainability (BTS) tool. Eight owners or managers of OFTR's enterprises answered questions online or personally. Content analysis and descriptive statistics were used. Results indicated that tourism enterprises adopt ESPs according to each reality since some are dedicated to producing and commercializing organic products, while others are dedicated to lodging and guided tours. Managers realize the importance of adopting ESPs, enabling a decrease in expenses and the supply of organic products. Since tourists are concerned and careful with the environment nowadays, sustainability must be considered, becoming a differential. The enterprises develop ESPs, which makes the route potentially sustainable, following the standards established by the BTS. In order to achieve the sustainable level, the enterprises on the route need to improve their performance in many items whose results were less sustainable. From a theoretical perspective, this study contributed to understanding how ESPs were developed in enterprises and how they contribute to tourism development. The understanding of tourist routes expanded with an emphasis on sustainability, the environmental dimension, the ESPs, and organic agriculture. The BTS enabled the assessment of the sustainability of OFTR's enterprises.

Automated summary

This study examines Environmentally Sustainable Practices (ESPs) in the Organic Food Tourist Route (OFTR) in South Brazil, finding that tourism enterprises in the route adopt ESPs according to their respective contexts, leading to decreased expenses and the provision of organic products. The implementation of ESPs is crucial for sustainability, given tourists' growing concern for the environment. The study contributes to the understanding of how ESPs are developed in enterprises and their contributions to tourism development, and the Barometer of Tourism Sustainability (BTS) tool enables the assessment of OFTR enterprises' sustainability.