A Description of Green Hotel Practices and Their Role in Achieving Sustainable Development

Abstract

In this study, we aim to investigate environmental management representatives’ perceptions regarding the extent of the contribution of green hotel practices to achieving the environment-related sustainable development goals (SDGs). To achieve this aim, a questionnaire was developed and directed to the person in charge of environmental duties in the investigated hotels, who were selected by a convenience sample method. A sample of 48 participants from four and five Green Star hotels, representing 63% of the total Certified Green Star hotels in Egypt, was surveyed. The findings of the study revealed that the implementation of green hotel practices in the certified four and five Green Star hotels surveyed contributed positively to achieving SDG 6, SDG 12, SDG 7 and SDG 13, respectively. The main driver of the adoption of Green Star criteria was the hotels’ commitment to environmental sustainability. The findings also indicated that, overall, there were statistically significant differences between four and five Green Star hotels in all SDGs addressed. The main implication of this study is that hotel operators should properly incorporate green hotel practices into their operational plans to achieve the environment-related SDGs.

Harmonization of Green Motives and Green Business Strategies towards Sustainable Development of Hospitality and Tourism Industry: Green Environmental Policies

“…The increased customers' attention towards environmental sustainability determined the managers of hotels to adapt their business models by implementing green practices, which supports the goal of gaining a competitive advantage and increasing their market share because they attract the customers that are concerned with the green sustainability [63]. Abdou et al [64] have stated in their study for hotels in Egypt that the main motivation for adopting green star criteria and for implementing green practices was represented by the hotels' commitment to the environmental protection (a moral green motive), which reflects the increased awareness of hotel operators towards protecting the environment and ensuring sustainability.…”

“…Many hotels have started to implement environmental policies to preserve the environment and for the wellbeing of population [74]. Abdou et al [64] have proved in their study conducted for 4-star and 5-star hotels in Egypt that apply green practices that those green practices support the achievement of some SD goals, especially the SD goals related to the environment. International hotel chains have largely adopted green management practices and proclaimed their commitment to target the SDGs comparing to the independent hotels; this can be explained by high benefits they gain from the economies of scale supported by the uniform business practices they implement [75].…”

“…These selected hotels present the true picture of the hotel industry in Pakistan because these are internationally rated as foreign delegations and international tourists stay there. The reason for choosing these international rated hotels is represented by the fact that the international hotel chains have largely adopted green management practices and proclaimed their commitment to target the SDGs comparing to the independent hotels; those GBS support the achievement of the SD goals [64,75].…”

The Role of Performance and Environmental Sustainability Indicators in Hotel Competitiveness

“…Environmental characteristics, such as competitor diversification and organizational characteristics such as size, belonging to a group, star rating and ISO certificate, can have an impact on hotel performance [4]. The most important benefits of environmentally sustainable hotel business are based on [63][64][65]:…”

Sustainable Choices and Behaviors among Eco-Friendly Museum Travelers: Exploring the Drivers of Sacrifice, Visit, Pay, and WOM Intentions

“…Greening museums is nowadays inevitable for all museum operators [ 4 , 7 ]. Patrons in the tourism marketplace are also ecologically conscious more than ever, showing increasing needs/wants for environmentally responsible products [ 8 , 9 ]. Given this, inducing visitors’ eco-friendly approach intentions/behaviors for a museum by practicing pro-environmental management and implementing green technology is becoming an essential goal for museum operations [ 2 , 3 , 5 ].…”