SDSU students conducted a Sustainability Gap (SGAP) Assessment report to identify improvement strategies for the “assessed” establishments in the City of National City. The assessed establishments where the Best Western Plus Marina Gateway Hotel, Goodies Bar & Grill, The Pier 32 Marina, and Ethnic Deli and Café. The overall goal of this Sustainability Assessment assignment is long-term, mainly focusing on a strategy and best practices for the development of a possible “Green Tourism Corridor” in National City, which might also be of branding interest to National City’s Tourism Marketing District (TMD).
Students followed the ABCD Method to applying the Natural Step Framework that consists of four steps which are repeated as an organization progresses toward sustainability. The four steps are as follows: Awareness and Visioning, Baseline Mapping, Creative Solutions, and Deciding on Priorities (The Natural Step, 2011). The following student-recommended solutions were designed to meet criteria for the Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program (STEP).
Recommendations made for the Best Western Plus Marina Gateway Hotel and Goodies Bar & Grill include creating a written energy reduction plan and providing the means for clients to contribute to local or international conservation-based initiatives. Both businesses demonstrate a good understanding of sustainability and its implications. Goodies Bar & Grill also expressed interest in creating an on-site vegetable garden but lacked a written plan. Students responded by providing specific instruction for building a raised bed for a vegetable garden.
In addition, The Waterfront Grill at Pier 32 and Ethnic Deli and Cafe have to work on creating a business plan that provides the means for employees and management to encompass a common vision for their businesses. The plan needs to follow the SMART principles (sustainable, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based), which are key to reaching a successful management target. Along with the business plan, the establishment of a green team that will carry out the vision of sustainability and execute the “green” policies is essential. These and other recommendations bring the assessed businesses closer to the STEP Eco-certification Program.
Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner.
The Sage Project Contact Info
Kristofer Patron
Program Administrator
kpatron@sdsu.edu
(619) 594-0103
University Faculty Contact
Marlene Alvarez
Undergraduate Studies
Local Government / Community Contact
Chamber of Commerce