Sustainability in the global hotel industry

TLDR

The paper explores how leading global hotel chains publicly communicate sustainability, offering an accessible review of their agendas for academics, students, and practitioners. The authors review recent sustainability disclosures from the corporate websites of major hotel chains, beginning with an outline of sustainability’s growing importance and key characteristics. The study finds that while hotel chains vary widely in their sustainability claims, these commitments are largely driven by efficiency gains within growth‑oriented business models, reflecting a weak rather than strong sustainability approach, and recommends expanded reporting and external assurance.

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an exploratory review of how the global hotel industry publicly communicates its approach to sustainability. Design/methodology/approach – The paper begins with an outline of the growing importance of sustainability within the hospitality industry and a short discussion of the characteristics of sustainability. The paper draws its empirical material from the most recent information on sustainability posted on the world's leading hotel chains' corporate websites. Findings – The findings reveal that while there is considerable variation in the information the leading hotel chains provided publicly on their sustainability commitments and achievements, they embrace a wide range of environmental, social and economic issues. More critically, the authors argue that these commitments are driven more by the search for efficiency gains, that they are couched within existing business models centred on continuing growth, and that as such the global hotel industry is currently pursuing a “weak” rather than a “strong” model of sustainability. Practical implications – The paper suggests that although the leading global hotel companies are well placed to take a leading role in promoting sustainability, they may need to extend their sustainability reporting and to introduce external assurance procedures. Originality/value – The paper provides an accessible review of the sustainability agendas currently being pursued within the global hotel industry and as such it will interest academics, students and practitioners interested in both the hospitality industry and corporate sustainability strategies.