Conclusion

It is difficult to write a conclusion to a book dedicated to sustainability in hospitality. In fact as long as the hospitality and tourism industry is not fully engaged in the transition towards sustainability, one cannot speak of a ‘conclusion’. It is therefore more appropriate to remind ourselves here that sustainability requires a paradigm shift in the way we look at the economy; in the way we understand our responsibilities as professionals; and in the way we look at ourselves and others. Paradigms can be regarded as lens or viewpoints through which we look at the world. Therefore, paradigms are not a perfect representation of the world and may change if people perceive that another paradigm describes reality more accurately. In this case a paradigm shift occurs.