Purpose

This paper aims to examine the rising sustainability standards on the island of Cyprus and more specifically the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative and how this organization helped to make the case for sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a qualitative approach using interviews to collect data from primary research.

Findings

Although Cyprus is a well-developed tourism destination, its sustainability standards have lagged behind. Tour operators initially encouraged the hospitality industry to commit to sustainability standards and the majority of the industry has done so. Yet there is still a gap between theory and practice and the industry needs to step up its efforts.

Research limitations/implications

The study was time limited and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic posed difficulties in terms of accessing interviewees and conducing the interviews.

Practical implications

The study reveals the current state of sustainability standards in Cyprus and the effort needed to address the future challenges.

Social implications

Sustainability is not a catch word but a way to offset the negative implications of human activity. Tourism and hospitality is an important economic activity and needs to play its role in protecting and improving environmental and social standards.

Originality/value

This is the first study to focus on sustainability standards in the hospitality industry in relation to the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI).

中文翻译：

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不断提高的可持续性标准：塞浦路斯可持续旅游倡议

目的

本文旨在研究塞浦路斯岛不断提高的可持续性标准，更具体地说是塞浦路斯可持续旅游倡议，以及该组织如何帮助实现可持续发展。

设计/方法/方法

该研究采用了定性方法，使用访谈从主要研究中收集数据。

发现

尽管塞浦路斯是一个发达的旅游目的地，但其可持续性标准却落后了。旅游经营者最初鼓励酒店业遵守可持续性标准，并且该行业的大多数人都这样做了。但理论与实践仍有差距，业界需加紧努力。

研究限制/影响

该研究时间有限，2019 年冠状病毒病 (COVID-19) 大流行在接触受访者和进行采访方面造成了困难。

实际影响

该研究揭示了塞浦路斯可持续发展标准的现状以及应对未来挑战所需的努力。

社会影响

可持续性不是一个流行词，而是一种抵消人类活动负面影响的方式。旅游和酒店业是一项重要的经济活动，需要在保护和改善环境和社会标准方面发挥作用。

原创性/价值

这是第一项关注与塞浦路斯可持续旅游倡议 (CSTI) 相关的酒店业可持续性标准的研究。