Abstract
This study investigates how hotel classification systems integrate environmental management practices in hotels. There is a growing awareness that hotel classification should be based on an integrated approach to quality, including environmental management practices. A content analysis of eight recently updated hotel classification systems was conducted using keywords that were filtered from the Green Key Certification System. The findings indicate that hotel classification systems include environmental management standards but use different structures, which lead to different impacts on the actual hotel rating and thus present varying levels of control. It is recommended that hotel classification bodies review the desired outcomes of the integration of environmental management standards and structure these so that the outcomes are more likely to be achieved by the hotel classification system.
Highlights
Hotel classification systems historically seek to provide clear overviews to travellers on the amount of comfort that may be expected in the different categories (Vine, 1981)
The impact of incorporating environmental standards as minimum standards opposed to rating standards is evident, Table 6: Summary overview of environmental sustainability standards in selected hotel classification systems
From the findings of this study it becomes clear that recently updated hotel classification systems reflect different viewpoints on whether and how to incorporate environmental management practices
Summary
Hotel classification systems historically seek to provide clear overviews to travellers on the amount of comfort that may be expected in the different categories (Vine, 1981). Systems have grown their scope to fulfil standards that may not directly contribute to guest comfort but can be argued to constitute a further development in quality thinking (Staffieri & Cavagnaro, 2013). In response to environmental concerns, environmental management certification bodies, industry partnerships and governments have set up initiatives to address the impact that hotels have on the environment. These initiatives drive the idea that the hotel industry can and should play an important role in reducing its consumption of natural resources, limit its waste and carbon emissions, develop sustainable supply chains, and protect the destination surrounding the hotel (International Tourism Partnership, 2015). In that context, Kapiki (2012) groups Environmental Management systems as a quality label in line with hotel classification systems, though it is usually offered as a separate system or an add-on to hotel classification systems (Staffieri & Cavagnaro, 2013)
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