Analyzing employee perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on sustainable practices: a study of five-star hotels in India

Abstract

PurposeGiven the pace of global environmental degradation, companies and individuals alike are exploring ways and means of protecting the environment. In this context, the attitudes of hoteliers and their employees toward sustainability are key to the successful implementation of these practices. This paper aims to consider the impact of attitude development and COVID-19 on the sustainability performance of hotels. The study also explores contributions made by hotels to environmental sustainability and society more generally.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on interviews and survey questionnaires completed by employees of five-star hotels in India, and qualitative methods were used to process the data.FindingsThe findings of this study confirm the devastating impact of COVID-19 on both economic and societal sustainability in what otherwise would be a profitable sector of the economy.Practical implicationsThe study has implications for hoteliers, the government, environmental agencies and for employees and could assist with the formulation of recovery packages by government and in the development of new standard operating procedures to enable hotels to step-up on the self-recovery path.Originality/valueThe paper provides an analysis of the direct effects of the pandemic on financial sustainability and its mediating impact on the efforts of hotels to attain sustainable environment.

Sustainable practices in hospitality pre and amid COVID‐19 pandemic: Looking back for moving forward post‐COVID‐19

“…Based on a study of Mehta and Sharma ( 2021 ) that was conducted amid COVID‐19 in India, hotels are committed to reducing their carbon footprint by implementing practices such as conserving water, harvesting rainwater, using chemical‐free housekeeping materials, switching to electric vehicles, waste management, green building automation systems, reusing waste, recycling waste, creating no‐smoking zones, and reducing single‐use plastic products. Hotels could reduce carbon emissions by introducing a new set of long‐term environmental goals, striving to continuously improve energy‐and emission‐related performance, carbon emission auditing and reporting of all buildings and facilities, adopting carbon disclosure initiatives more extensively, and supporting certified projects that invest in renewables.…”

“… Deploying tools to conserve water and harvest rainwater. Moon et al ( 2020 ); Baratta and Simeoni ( 2021 ); Mehta and Sharma ( 2021 ). b 2.5.…”

“… Using alternative/renewable energy sources (e.g., wind or solar power). Cerchione and Bansal ( 2020 ), Jang and Zheng ( 2020 ); Shi and Tsai ( 2020 ); Baratta and Simeoni ( 2021 ); Calisto et al ( 2021 ); Karagiannis and Andrinos ( 2021 ) b ; Mehta and Sharma ( 2021 ) b Implementing an energy saving programe. Alberton et al ( 2020 ); Almurbati ( 2020 ); Hamid et al ( 2020 ); Madar and Neaşu ( 2020 ); Modica et al ( 2020 ); Baratta and Simeoni ( 2021 ); Duric and Topler ( 2021 ) b ; Fonseca and Carnicelli ( 2021 ); Hamid et al ( 2021 ); Olya et al ( 2021 ); Pereira et al ( 2021 ) 4.2.…”

“…Market share growth Using energy‐efficient lighting/light bulbs (LED). Abdou et al ( 2020 ); Alberton et al ( 2020 ); Cantele and Cassia ( 2020 ); Jang and Zheng ( 2020 ); Moon et al ( 2020 ); Calisto et al ( 2021 ); Mehta and Sharma ( 2021 ). b High rate of new product introduction to market.…”

“…Sustainable practices related to sanitation and hygiene Achieving adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene. Abdou et al ( 2020 ); Mehta and Sharma ( 2021 ) b . Providing customers with contactless services.…”