Page 466 - Ebook HTKH 2024

2.2. Sustainable development
It is a concept that defines development in all aspects of current society while

ensuring continued development in the distant future. Sustainable development is
currently the goal of many countries in the world (SMEDF, 2020). According to the
Asian Development Bank (ADB), sustainable development is a comprehensive type of
development, integrating the production process with resource conservation and
improving the quality of the living environment. Sustainable development must meet
the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability to meet the needs
of future generations. The concept of sustainable development is based on the notion
that people are the center of solving all problems and future generations are concerned

(Chae, 2022).
2.3. Green business, tourism business
A business is considered a green business if it provides green products or services
and/ or has green production processes. Green products and services are those that are
environmentally friendly, use resources efficiently, and minimize waste. On the other
hand, businesses that improve production processes to consume less energy and

materials, waste less, and emit less emissions are also considered green businesses. In
addition, a green business is also a business that creates a good working environment
and welfare system for employees (SMEDF, 2020).
Tourism businesses are the bridge between tourists and the landscape. Tourism
operators explain and arrange the landscape for tourists, and are also a strong influencer
on tourist behavior (GeoparkLife, 2017). It is also defined as “economic units that enable
the production and marketing of goods and services to meet the needs of temporary

travel and accommodation and other related needs” (IGI Global, n.d). The role of SMEs
in tourism is very relevant (Getz et al., 2004; Williams & Shaw, 2011) and is especially
important when meeting the specific needs of customers and providing them with
customized tourism services (Novelli et al., 2006).
And in the context of sustainable development, tourism businesses need to comply
with the criteria of sustainable development. Accordingly, tourism businesses need to

aim to become sustainable businesses. Sustainable businesses are businesses that do not
negatively impact the environment, community, society, or the global or local economy
(ILO, 2012). An effective tourism and conservation policy will support both economic
and environmental goals. A large number of environmentally and economically
sustainable tourism businesses play an important role in maintaining thriving
communities in areas of high natural value (GeoparkLife, 2017).
2.4. Factors affecting green growth activities
According to Li and Wu (2022), the factors affecting green growth activities are:

(a) Enterprise readiness includes green growth awareness, green inputs and green
behavior of enterprises. It refers to the subjective readiness of enterprises for green
behaviors under the comprehensive impact factors, which is important in connecting
external and internal factors.

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