Energy Management Model for Sustainable Development in Hotels within WB6

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to propose a model for an energy management system (EnMS) in the hospitality industry in line with the ISO 50001 standard. The new proposed model, specifically developed for service organizations, was based on the Plan–Do–Check–Act cycle and was confirmed in 280 hotels in the Western Balkans 6 (WB6) region. The data were used to investigate if hotel properties represent an influential factor in the wider implementation of EnMS requirements. The proposed model, based on the ISO 50001 standard, was developed into sub-categories, including actual regulations and legislation within the EU and WB6. Hotels, as some of the most energy-demanding buildings, due to their purpose and processes, should provide their guests with electricity, hot water, heating and air-conditioning every hour of every day. The survey was conducted in 280 hotels and lasted from December 2021 to September 2022. The research shows that the average implementation of EnMS requirements was 38.07% for the whole researched sample, i.e., 25.86% in Albania, 30.40% in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 26.11% in Kosovo, 46.34% in Montenegro, 29.86% in North Macedonia and 44.56% in Serbia. In the researched case study, the average implementation of the PLAN phase (phase for establishing basics for energy management) was 35.71%, implementation of the DO phase (phase for implementing energy management processes) was 44.90%, implementation of the CHECK phase (phase for monitoring and the measurement of energy performance) was 45.45%, and finally, implementation of the ACT phase (phase for reviewing and improving energy management) was only 25.36%. The proposed model is significant as it can be used for broader research to investigate other business sectors in hospitality and for policymakers to propose energy consumption strategies and measures for energy savings that would have a minimal impact on service quality. The novelty of this research can be seen not only in the specifically developed model for service organizations in the hospitality sector but it also contains current data from the verified model in one specific region which offers the possibility of benchmarking and evaluating one’s own organization.