Page 162 - Sustaining Accommodation SMES

8 Implications for Policy and Practice

regulation of accommodation classification
systems and quality labels
Accommodation classification systems and quality labels represent im-
portant demand-side instruments shaping market expectations and con-
sumer choice. Countries may therefore consider integrating sustainabil-
ity criteria aligned with iso 21401 into existing quality assurance frame-
works. Policymakers can:

• Incorporate selected iso 21401 criteria into national or regional ac-
commodation classification and star rating schemes.
• Introduce sustainability indicators within quality labels to increase
transparency and comparability of sustainability performance.
• Use classification and labelling systems to signal minimum sustain-
ability expectations across the sector.
Integrating sustainability into classification and quality assurance sys-
tems reinforces market incentives and supports sector wide improvement
without relying solely on voluntary adoption.

destination-level regulation and stewardship
Local governments play a key role in shaping sustainability outcomes at
destination level. By integrating iso 21401 into destination governance
instruments, they can strengthen policy coherence and reinforce sus-
tainability as a defining characteristic of destination development. In this
context, local authorities can:
• Integrate iso 21401 principles into destination stewardship frame-
works and governance arrangements.
• Reflect sustainability management requirements within municipal
tourism ordinances and local regulatory instruments.
• Align sustainable destination certification programmes with iso
21401 to ensure consistency between firm-level practices and des-
tination-level objectives.
Such integration supports coordinated action across firms and destina-
tions and contributes to embedding sustainability within the long-term
identity and governance of tourism destinations.

8.5 Self-Regulation
Voluntary governance mechanisms, such as certification schemes, indus-
try codes of conduct, and eco labels, play a complementary role alongside

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