The perception of sustainability by micro-sized enterprises within the tourism industry on Gotland

Abstract: Micro-sized enterprises (MEs) are many in number in the EU (93%) and are considered as vital and important actors in the push towards sustainable development. MEs perception and attitude towards sustainability dictates the outcome in the future. To understanding of how MEs perceive sustainability on the island of Gotland, Sweden, a study of 7 semi-structured interviews were conducted with MEs belonging in the hospitality sector of the tourism industry. The results show that the participants in the study had a positive outlook on sustainability and were working with sustainability in some way or form. Time and cost were the main challenges that the participants experienced with an addition of the temporary Covid19 pandemic. A correlation was found between the themes “reasons” and “priorities” which indicates that the reasons the company have for implementing sustainability affects and influences the priorities of the company.