Selected aspects of sustainable tourism and their application in the operation of accommodation and catering facilities in the Moravian-Silesian Region

Silesian University in Opava, Faculty of Philosophy and Science, 746 01 Opava, Czech Republic

^* Corresponding author: milena.botlikova@fpf.slu.cz

Abstract

Given the global nature of tourism and the increased mobility potential of the population, the sustainability of tourism has been a topical issue for many years. The paper aims to map aspects of sustainable tourism and the extent of their use in the operation of accommodation and catering facilities in the regional environment; the research was conducted in the Moravian-Silesian Region, which is very specific on several levels. There are a number of large industrial enterprises that have a negative impact on the environment; on the other hand, there are countless natural, cultural, technical and other attractions, which are reflected in the increasing traffic to this destination. Due to the restructuring of the industry, the region is clearly showing its ecological tendencies, and the region is trying to present itself as an environmentally friendly region. In the context of tourism, there is a need to provide quality, eco-friendly accommodation, and catering services. The paper contains an overview of indicators based on the European system of indicators in the field of tourism and their specific impacts primarily on the environment. There is also an overview of whether and to what extent operators of accommodation and catering facilities in the Moravian-Silesian Region apply tools used mainly in connection with ecological behaviors, such as waste sorting, wastewater treatment, water management, and energy savings. For the analysis and comparison, were used primary data from controlled interviews with operators of monitored facilities, and secondary data from the Czech Statistical Office.