Abstract
Purpose of the study The aims of the study were to analyze the sustainable practices adopted by international chain hotel brands in Muscat; to analyze and find out the extent of the sustainable practices affecting guest satisfaction in international chain hotels in Muscat and to determine the barriers and challenges faced by international hotel chain brands in Muscat. Design/Methodology/Approach Forty questionnaires were distributed to two chain hotels’ employees in different job positions. In-depth interviews were also used to gather qualitative information from human resources departments and corporate social responsibility specialists to discuss the current trends in sustainable practices in international chain hotel brands in Muscat. The collected data was then analyzed using SPSS and Qualitative tools. Findings The study reveals that the hotels’ sustainability initiatives had an effective impact on cost savings and helps to reduce waste, and resource wastage. It was also found that guests are willing to pay more at the hotel to support their green initiatives and the guests were satisfied with the innovation towards the sustainability initiatives undertaken and felt their stay a memorable one. Research Implications It was observed that there is a strong relationship between sustainable green practices and guest satisfaction and so maintain the sustainable practices to raise up to the guest expectations. Some of the guests were not aware of the sustainable practices and the employees and the creation of awareness is a must. Practical Implications Awareness within the staff and the community can be raised only through proper education and training. Originality The study confines to international chain hotels located in Muscat, the capital of Sultanate of Oman. The study excludes the economic and social aspects of sustainability as the entire focus was on the environmental aspects of sustainable practices only.
Highlights
The tourism sector has become a catalyst source of the country’s income, its contribution to the hotel industry is enormous (Leonidou et al, 2013)
With the advancement of technology, some hoteliers are starting to think sustainably in pushing and encouraging multinational companies, corporations, and firms to focus on the environment in general and on corporate social responsibility (CSR) as it makes a positive impact on the hotel industry and the guests in terms of experiencing a new social life for them (Rakická, 2016)
Discussion & Conclusion Summarising the results of the quantitative analyses, the following findings were observed: Among the environmentally friendly hotel factors, the majority of the respondents declared that communication of sustainability practices topped the list whereas the energy conservation facts came such as the usage of local products and suppliers and water-efficient appliances
Summary
The tourism sector has become a catalyst source of the country’s income, its contribution to the hotel industry is enormous (Leonidou et al, 2013). Tourism has huge value in the global economy, and the industry keeps on providing various opportunities to anyone who can be involved in tourism to contribute to sustainability. The term sustainability is considered a crucial element in society. It is the hospitality or the hotel industry which gets affected by the phenomena of sustainability but the entire global community. With the advancement of technology, some hoteliers are starting to think sustainably in pushing and encouraging multinational companies, corporations, and firms to focus on the environment in general and on corporate social responsibility (CSR) as it makes a positive impact on the hotel industry and the guests in terms of experiencing a new social life for them (Rakická, 2016)
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