Samenvatting

White paper: Accelerating the adoption of the circular economy in the tourism and leisure sector: the 3-M Framework as the foundation of circular entrepreneurship

The white paper proposed several recommendations that could be considered by tourism entrepreneurs to accelerate their adoption of circular economy solutions.The white paper proposed several recommendations that could be considered by tourism entrepreneurs to accelerate their adoption of circular economy solutions.

Firstly, the white paper suggested that the entrepreneurs need to establish their own take on the meanings and purpose of being circular. This is essential in motivating their willingness to adopt circular solutions. Entrepreneurs’ meaning was associated with the entrepreneurs’ knowledge and concern with global challenges and their understanding of the many benefits that circular economy solutions can generate, both for the business, destination and for the global community. Yet, while it is the role of public sector led planning stakeholders to develop and promote awareness programmes, tourism entrepreneurs can still adopt actions that improve their understanding of challenges and the role of the circular economy. These actions were associated with the entrepreneurs’ effort to master their skills for a circular economy, such as by improving their understanding of the environmental footprint of their business operations, what circular economy solutions can be implemented, their benefits, and how they can be successfully managed.

Moreover, it was deemed relevant – to the successful implementation and management of circular economy solutions - for the entrepreneurs to identify and prioritise sustainable promotional channels. Moreover, where necessary, it was highlighted the need to appoint a circular economy manager or extend responsibilities of existing staff, find and access alternative financing options, and support awareness campaigns on the circular economy within the organisation and the destination community. The white paper concluded by suggesting the importance for entrepreneurs to be part of innovative networks and communities which would allow them to gain and share knowledge and implement and manage circular economy solutions at the destination level. Therefore, working together is crucial for a successful circular economy in destinations. This white paper is the last of a series of three white papers published by the 2Seas Interreg project FACET. A First white paper provided recommendations to local authorities on how to support tourism entrepreneurs, and especially SMEs, in the implementation of circular solutions, and a second white paper, mainly targeted towards tourism SMEs presented reward-based crowdfunding as one of the available financing options to fund the implementation of a circular economy in tourist destinations.