Setting the Standard: How ISO 18513 and ISO 21401 are Shaping Sustainable Tourism in Jordan

Setting the Standard: How ISO 18513 and ISO 21401 are Shaping Sustainable Tourism in Jordan, highlighting the impact of ISO certifications on the country's tourism industry and its move towards sustainability

Introduction:

Jordan is one of the nations that is greatly benefiting from the tourism and hospitality industries. The rich history, astonishing landscapes, and thriving culture of renaissance serve as eye catchments to international and local tourists alike. In face of drastic globalization and increased competition, tourism operators in Jordan must pay attention to branding, sustainability, service quality, and excellent customer care. This is the point where ISO 18513 and ISO 21401  ISO Certification In Jordan.

Both ISO 18513 and ISO 21401 are regarded for improving the productivity and sustainability for the services offered under tourism. While ISO 18513 deals with the provision of tourist information services, ISO 21401 deals with the sustainable management of special events. Both certifications help businesses within the tourism and hospitality sector to enhance service delivery, sustain their operations, and meet the demands of environmentally- conscious tourists.

In this blog, we will explore how Popularcert, as a leading consultancy firm, helps businesses acquire ISO certifications and what impact those certifications have on transforming Jordan’s tourism industry. We will investigate what differentiates certified companies from non-certified ones and delve into some other rarely implemented standards across the industry.

ISO 18513: Tourism Services — Hotels and Other Types of Tourism Accommodation — Terminology

ISO 18513 defines the global standards for the management of the tourist information services. This document outlines procedures that can be implemented to provide helpful and precise information to tourists regarding places of interest, accommodation, transport, and other activities in each region.

Some of the most important components of ISO 18513 are as follows:

  • Quality Assurance: Guarantees that tourists receive reliable and relevant information on a given destination which assists businesses in providing their services adequately.
  • Customer Experience: Encompasses the responsive approach directed towards enhancing the overall experience of customers’ visiting the tourist information and centres that serve their needs.
  • Accessibility: Supports the enhancement of these services so that information aids tourists from all walks of life and with differing abilities to make use of the information service.

In the case of Jordan, adoption of ISO 18513 by the players in the tourism industry would help to achieve improved service provision and expose tourists to hassle free experiences during their stay.

ISO 21401: Sustainable Event Management

ISO 21401 pertains to the management of sustainable events, particularly applicable to hotels, resorts, and event organizers in Jordan’s tourism and hospitality sector. The standard emphasizes on the minimization of the negative environmental impact, social responsibility, and the sustainability of the event at the same time.

Important advantages of ISO 21401 include the following:

  • Sustainable Practices: The Standard motivates organizations to implement green strategies such as waste management, energy conservation, and responsible procurement of goods and services.
  • Social Impact: Socially concentrates on the positive social impacts to be made, for example, sponsoring local community, promoting cultural heritage, and practicing social responsibility in events management.
  • Brand Image: Businesses adopting ISO 21401 can strategically position themselves as sustainability leaders, thus, appealing to eco-friendly tourists and corporate clients.

The adoption of ISO 21401 encourages businesses in Jordan, which strongly relies on tourism, to distinguish themselves in an oversaturated market by demonstrating a remarkable level of commitment to sustainability and green initiatives.

The Difference Between Certified and Non-Certified Companies

Understanding the difference between certified and non-certified companies is essential for tourism businesses in Jordan. Here is a comparison:

Aspect

Certified Companies (ISO 18513 & ISO 21401)

Non-Certified Companies

Customer Confidence

Enhanced trust due to recognized global standards.

Lower customer trust as there is no certification.

Service Quality

High-quality, standardized services tailored to customer needs.

Quality may vary, leading to inconsistent experiences.

Sustainability Practices

Strong commitment to eco-friendly and sustainable practices.

Limited or no focus on sustainability.

Competitive Advantage

Stand out in the global market by meeting international standards.

Risk of losing business to more certified competitors.

Regulatory Compliance

Meet legal and regulatory requirements more easily.

Risk of non-compliance with evolving regulations.

Operational Efficiency

Streamlined operations with continuous improvement.

Higher risk of inefficiencies and operational challenges.

Market Perception

Viewed as reputable, ethical, and reliable.

May struggle with reputation and customer loyalty.

Almost Rarely Used ISO Standards in Relation to Tourism and Hospitality in Jordan

Other than ISO 18513 and ISO 21401, there are some rare ISO standards that also offer considerable advantages to the tourism industry in Jordan. Some of the less commonly used standards include:

  1. ISO 22000:2018 – Food Safety Management System
  •  This standard obliges hotels, resorts, and restaurants to take

measures to protect the public health in Jordan by following food safety policies and hygiene rules during food preparation.

  1. ISO 50001:2018 – Energy Management System
  •  This standard enables businesses, especially in a region such as

Jordan, to manage their energy use better and thus lower consumption and lessen their environmental impact.

  1. ISO 27001:2013 – Information Security Management System
  •  This standard assists hotels and tourism companies that possess private information about customers to secure this data and guarantee the confidentiality of the clients.

Jordan’s Tourism Industry Pre-Cleaning Report

There is an increasing number of companies in Jordan that have acquired their ISO certifications which enhances their brand image and market position internationally. These are:

• The Jordan Tourism Board (ISO 14001: Environmental Management)
• Jordan River Foundation (ISO 26000: Social Responsibility)

• Royal Jordanian (ISO 27001: Information Security Management)
• Marriott’s Dead Sea Resort and Spa (ISO 9001: Quality Management)

These organizations exemplify service delivery, environmental consciousness, and customer care.

Growing Demand for responsible Tourism in Jordan

How Popularcert Can Assist You

Popularcert has earned its mark in consulting as one of the best when helping clients in ISO certification. With their Popularcert’s knowledge and experience with tourism and hospitality, they can guide businesses throughout the whole process. This is how Popularcert helps other different sectors and businesses in Jordan:

Business Strategy Development Consulting

Popularcert provides active support in strategizing to attain ISO 18513 and ISO 21401.
In Popularconsult, all clients receive strategic consultancy to develop an implementable plan aligned with company goals.

Business Operation Audit Services

Popularcert carries business operation audits and assesses the efficiency of the existing systems.
Clients enjoy effective gap analysis and compliant gap strategies for certification requirements crafted by Popularcert.

Teaching and Awareness Raising

Employees are instructed under Popularcert and educated towards achievement standards.
Gave a clear idea on the effects and benefits of having an ISO certification in a business and its operations.

Aid with Implementation:
As part of an enterprise’s Popularcert helps while the business is implementing and using ISO 18513 and ISO 21401 Standards. Ensuring that there are no interruptions to operations during transitions.
They help at all levels of providing the sustainability with services to customers and management of activities at the strategic level.

Certification Process Management:
Popularcert manages documentation and audit procedures for Popularcert’s clients’ ISO certifications so that the clients obtain certifications within the least time possible.

Conclusion

As firms seek to enhance services and adopt sustainability frameworks in response to the ‘Responsible Tourism’ spike, ISO 18513 and ISO 21401 standards are having a notable effect on Jordan’s tourism and hospitality sector. These ISO standards will strategically benefit those businesses wishing to brand themselves as frontrunners in the industry offering unmatched experiences to tourists.

Through the assistance of Popularcert, companies in Jordan can skilfully handle the detailed steps for obtaining ISO certification and maintaining compliance with the standards, thus improving their position in the global tourism market. Obtaining ISO certification improves a business’s internal processes, increases the trust consumers have as its active environmental change, and helps strengthen competition.

With maintaining quality, sustainability, and customer experience being the focus of attention, obtaining ISO certification is a necessity for any business in the tourism sector if they want to thrive in the market.

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FAQ

ISO 18513 offers the information service for tourists and revision which ensures businesses provide information that is accurate, easy to get, and well presented to customers so that their experience at the site is elevated. 

ISO 21401 deals with the activities that are planned to be conducted within and bounds the event in tourism, allowing businesses to promote ecology, social, and cut impacts on the environment. 

Popularcert offers business consultancy services that assist with acquisition of ISO documents about internal and external audits, gap analysis, training, and provide all necessary comprehensive steps needed for compliance to ISO standards. 

ISO certified makes the company to sustain its image, grow the customer E trust, enjoy effective services, and make environmental conservation in tourism to be easier and exposing the business to tourism industry competitions.

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