Sustainable tourism from the perspective of tourism project leaders
The telephone interviews began by asking the project leaders about their view of STD processes
in small tourism companies in Ostrobothnia. They were all of the same opinion: the owners
(managers) of tourism companies are aware of the importance of focusing on environmental
aspects, but have not done much in favour of STD in their daily work. The project leaders
themselves have a positive attitude towards environmental efforts in tourism companies. 50
percent of the project leaders think that environmental aspects constitute a central competition
dimension already today, and the rest believe it will be a factor in the near future.
It is of utmost importance that the project leaders who work in close contact with the
tourism companies as supervisors possess environmental knowledge and a deep understanding
of the STD processes.