Words APA Style: Hospitality, Tourism, Ethical Dilemmas

1000 Words APA Styletopic Hospitality Tourism Ethical Dilemmakey To

1000 words, APA style. Topic: Hospitality/ Tourism ethical dilemma. Key to your paper is the application of any one of the existing ethical decision-making frameworks in the literature or in the public realm. Please make sure you do research on the variety of ethical decision-making frameworks and choose an appropriate one to apply in your paper to effectively evaluate the course of action the subject of the paper did or should take in the situation. Write in first person. Link to launch your search for an appropriate ethical decision-making framework.

Paper For Above instruction

In the dynamic realms of hospitality and tourism, ethical dilemmas frequently arise that challenge professionals to navigate complex moral landscapes. One such dilemma involves a resort manager faced with the decision of whether to disclose environmental impact data to prospective guests, a choice that involves balancing transparency with potential negative repercussions for the establishment. To analyze this ethical challenge comprehensively, I will employ the Deontological Ethical Framework, rooted in Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy, which emphasizes duty, principles, and adherence to moral rules regardless of outcomes.

The dilemma I have chosen exemplifies the tension between corporate transparency and protecting business interests. The resort has conducted an environmental impact assessment revealing significant ecological harm caused by its operations. Ethically, the question arises: Should the resort disclose this information openly to its guests, or should it withhold it to maintain its reputation and profitability? The potential consequences of non-disclosure include damage to the environment and erosion of trust if transparency is later revealed. Conversely, full disclosure could lead to decreased patronage and financial losses.

Applying the Deontological Framework requires examining the moral duties and principles at stake. Kantian ethics posits that decisions should be guided by maxims that can be universally adopted and that respect the moral worth of individuals. In this context, the moral duty to be honest aligns with Kant's principle of universality—if everyone withholds environmental harm information, societal trust erodes, and environmental degradation worsens. From a Kantian perspective, honesty is a moral duty; therefore, the resort should disclose the findings regardless of potential negative consequences.

Moreover, the framework entails respecting the autonomy of guests by providing them with complete information to make informed decisions. Withholding environmental data would violate principles of respect and honesty, which are foundational to ethical integrity. The framework also emphasizes treating individuals as ends, not merely as means for profit. By choosing transparency, the resort upholds these moral imperatives, fostering trust and demonstrating commitment to ethical integrity.

However, critics might argue that strict adherence to duty could lead to practical challenges or harm the business unfairly. While consequentialist perspectives might justify withholding information if it results in greater overall good, the deontological approach prioritizes moral principles over outcomes. Given the importance of environmental sustainability and honesty, I find that the deontological framework offers a compelling justification for the resort to disclose environmental impacts, aligning with ethical principles of truthfulness, duty, and respect.

In light of this analysis, I believe that, as a hospitality professional, adopting a deontological stance underscores the importance of moral principles that transcend immediate business interests. Transparency aligns not only with ethical imperatives but also fosters long-term sustainable relationships with stakeholders, including environmentally conscious guests and the broader community. While short-term impacts may pose challenges, maintaining moral integrity ultimately strengthens the resort’s reputation and aligns with core ethical values.

In conclusion, the application of the deontological ethical decision-making framework reveals that honesty and moral duty should guide the resort’s choice to disclose environmental impact data. Such an approach reinforces the importance of ethical practices in hospitality and tourism, highlighting that adhering to moral principles is essential for responsible and sustainable operations. Moving forward, I advocate for integrating ethical principles like honesty and transparency into decision-making processes to promote integrity within the industry.

References

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