Perceptions of the hotel guests on the sustainability of towel re-use

Abstract

This article is about hotel guests' towel re-use and its impacts on sustainability. Re-use of towel is an issue related to the environmental and business affairs that influence the housekeeping service. The study followed qualitative method where relevant data were collected through the questionnaire survey. Factors contributing to guests' perceptions on towel re-use were tested using the Wilcoxon test. The results show that the guests hold positive perceptions on towel re-use affecting on the environment and on the hotel costs. The guests also assume that their towel re-uses helps in minimising physical hazards of the housekeeping employees in reducing their back pain. The benefits might be sustainable if the guests continue towel re-use. However, physical hazards of the housekeeping employees will not reduce and environmental benefits also cannot be obtained if the guests do not re-use towel. Therefore, relationship exists between guests' understanding on the sustainability with towel re-use.