Sustainable Practices in Small Accommodation Units

Abstract

Sustainable practices are becoming a necessity in a world that is depleting natural resources at an accelerated level. In tourism, the accommodation service is essential and can be a starting point for the implementation of these practices. The article aims to investigate the interest of managers/owners of boarding houses and agrotourism boarding houses in Romania for certain aspects related to sustainability: use of organic products, energy savings, selective collection, employee training, and marketing campaigns. The results reveal a high level of selective waste collection and a reduction in the use of toxic products, while the certification of sustainable practices is lower. However, based on the values obtained, we appreciate that managers' interest in sustainability is high, especially since we are talking about small organizations. The originality of the approach comes from the fact that no national coverage research has been carried out on these forms of accommodation on the topic of practices related to sustainability. The results can help managers to relate to the market average and decide what actions they need to take regarding sustainability practices. It also helps other stakeholders, such as customers or authorities, to see the level of implementation and interest in providing environmentally friendly services.