Stakeholders’ Influence on Environmental Sustainability in the Australian Hotel Industry

Abstract

Hotels are a key element of the tourism industry. Hotels are the most common form of accommodation for tourists and the hotel industry is intricately to tourism. A review of the academic literature indicates that existing research is primarily focused on sustainability in tourism, but very few studies have analysed the environmental dimension of sustainability in hotels in Australia, an important facet of the Australian tourism industry. The paper presents the findings of the influence of stakeholders on environmentally sustainable policies and practices (ESPPs) in the Australian hotel industry. One-on-one interviews were conducted with hotel managers as a representative sample of Australian hotels in Melbourne, Australia. The selected sample for the research comprised managers who manage approximately 60 hotels. The data was collected through in-depth interviews. It was then transcribed, coded, and analysed with NVIVO, a computer-aided qualitative data analysis software program. The sample size ensured representation by different segments of the hotel industry to include international chain-affiliated hotels, Australian chain-affiliated hotels and independent hotels. An analysis of the findings suggests that owners and shareholders are the biggest influencers as their investment takes primary importance. Other key stakeholders such as guests generally play a secondary role in influencing the ESPPs of hotels. ESPPs should lead to well-intentioned initiatives and practices that are undertaken by stakeholders to create drivers for change to contribute to environmental sustainability.

Environmental Sustainability Strategies for Smaller Companies in the Hotel Industry: Doing the Right Thing or Doing Things Right?

“…Additionally, our results suggest that despite the general public discourse about the importance of sustainable practices, some customers are unwilling to accept less (quality, service, experience) in exchange for more sustainable practices. This response from customers is similar to what Cavagnaro and Gehrels [32], Revell and Blackburn [34], and Khatter et al [39] found in their studies. Khatter et al [39] (p. 10), thus stress "the importance of educating customers a hotel's environmental sustainability initiatives.…”

“…This response from customers is similar to what Cavagnaro and Gehrels [32], Revell and Blackburn [34], and Khatter et al [39] found in their studies. Khatter et al [39] (p. 10), thus stress "the importance of educating customers a hotel's environmental sustainability initiatives. "…”

“…In this study, we set out to answer the question 'how committed are smaller hotel companies to environmental sustainability when compared to larger ones?' Results suggest that hotels are committed to environmental sustainability as an efficiency-maximising tool, which is consistent with other scholars' perspectives, such as Revell and Blackburn [34], Kularatne et al [35], Cvelbar and Dwyer [42], Hsieh [57], and Khatter et al [39]. The primary practices adopted, related to energy (air conditioning and lighting), and water savings, are similar to those found in other contexts, such as Bruns-Smith et al [64].…”

“…According to Bagur-Femenías et al [38], the adoption of sustainable management practices by tourism and hospitality businesses has increased, driven by the awareness that sustainability contributes to establishing a closer relationship between companies and clients, not to mention its impacts on competitiveness and economic performance. Other studies, however, such as a recent work by Khatter et al [39], conclude that owners and shareholders are the biggest influencers for hotel companies' environmentally sustainable policies and practices. Despite eventually contradictory results, the implementation of the concept of sustainability in hospitality has been the focus of researchers in recent years, especially in terms of best practice analysis using a case study approach.…”

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

“…According to Calisto et al ( 2021 ), acoustic insolation, inviting guests to reuse towels and sheets to reduce laundry efforts, reducing water consumption through flow reduction systems in taps, and reducing energy consumption through solar panels, low‐consumption lighting, and air conditioning specifications are some of the environmental sustainability practices that have been implemented in hotels. Significantly, the present environmental standards that apply to the hotel business are mostly focused on waste and hazardous waste management, both of which are typical hotel practices (Khatter et al, 2021 ).…”