Search Results (453)

As climate change intensified water scarcity in Southern Europe, tourism-dependent regions such as Portugal’s Algarve faced growing pressure to adapt their water management systems. This study investigated how hotel groups in the Algarve have adopted and communicated water reuse technologies—specifically desalination and greywater recycling—under environmental, institutional, and reputational constraints. A comparative qualitative case study was conducted involving three hotel groups—Vila Vita Parc, Pestana Group, and Vila Galé—selected through purposive sampling based on organizational capacity and technology adoption stage. The analysis was supported by a supplementary mini-case from Mallorca, Spain. Publicly accessible documents, including sustainability reports, media coverage, and policy frameworks, were thematically coded using organizational environmental behavior theory and the OECD Principles on Water Governance. The results demonstrated that (1) higher organizational capacity was associated with greater maturity in water reuse implementation; (2) communication transparency increased alongside technological advancement; and (3) early-stage adopters encountered stronger financial, regulatory, and operational barriers. These findings culminated in the development of the Maturity–Communication–Governance (MCG) Framework, which elucidates how internal resources, stakeholder signaling, and institutional alignment influence sustainable infrastructure uptake. This research offered policy recommendations to scale water reuse in tourism through financial incentives, regulatory simplification, and public–private partnerships. The study contributed to the literature on sustainable tourism and decentralized climate adaptation, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals 6.4, 12.6, and 13. Full article

As environmental sustainability becomes a strategic priority for the hospitality sector, firms are increasingly adopting internal green marketing (IGM) practices to drive innovation. This study investigates how IGM influences innovative performance (IP) among hotel employees, focusing on the mediating roles of pro-environmental behavior (PEB) and internal green values (IGV). Drawing on data from 400 hotel employees in Egypt and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), the results reveal that while IGM significantly enhances PEB and IGV, it does not directly improve innovative performance. Instead, IGV and PEB fully mediate the relationship between IGM and IP, highlighting that innovation emerges primarily through value-driven behavior and organizational culture. These findings contribute to the sustainability and innovation literature by proposing a validated model that explains how internal marketing mechanisms foster eco-innovation. The study offers practical implications for hotel managers aiming to cultivate a sustainability-oriented culture and embed green values into daily operations to support long-term innovation. Full article

This study examines the role of public–private partnerships in promoting the sustainable development of travel destinations through a comparative analysis of two emblematic heritage-based hospitality projects: Dar Tantora in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia, and Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita in Matera, Italy. These case studies were analysed through both architectural–urban and economic–legal perspectives to highlight how public–private partnership models can support heritage conservation, community engagement, and responsible tourism development. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative indicators—such as projected profitability, tourist volume, and employment—with qualitative insights from interviews with key stakeholders. The analysis reveals that while both models prioritise cultural authenticity and adaptive reuse, they differ significantly in funding structures, legal frameworks, and governance dynamics. Dar Tantora exemplifies a top-down, publicly funded model integrated into Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, whereas Sextantio reflects a bottom-up, private initiative rooted in social enterprise. The findings offer insights into how different public–private partnership configurations can foster sustainable tourism development, depending on local context, institutional frameworks, and strategic goals. The study contributes to the broader discourse on regenerative tourism, architectural conservation, and policy-driven heritage reuse. Full article

Generation Z (Gen Z; born 1997–2012) is reshaping global tourism through digital fluency, ethical awareness, and a desire for authentic, sustainable travel experiences. This study surveys 413 Gen Z travelers across France, Portugal, Romania, and the USA to map their booking behaviors, information sources, transport modes, accommodations, dining practices, and leisure activities. The findings reveal a strong preference for independent online bookings and social-media-influenced destination choices (Instagram, TikTok), with air and car travel being used for long-distance journeys and walking/public transit being used for local journeys. Accommodation spans commercial hotels and private rentals, while informal, local dining and nature- or culture-centered leisure prevail. Chi-square tests were performed to identify differences between countries. To reveal distinct traveler segments and their country’s modulations towards sustainability, a hierarchical cluster analysis was performed. The results uncover four segments: “Tech-Active, Nature-Oriented Minimalists” (32.3% in France); “Moderate Digital Planners” (most frequent across all countries, particularly dominant among Romanian respondents); “Disengaged and Indecisive Travelers” (overrepresented in the USA); and “Culturally Inclined, Selective Sustainability Seekers” (>30% in France/Portugal). Although sustainability is widely valued, only some segments of the studied population consistently act on these values. The results suggest that engaging Gen Z requires targeted, value-driven digital strategies that align platform design with the cohort’s diverse sustainability commitments. Full article

This study focuses on a profound paradox in eco-hotel evaluations: why do consumer ratings for location, a static asset, exhibit dynamic fluctuations? To solve this puzzle, we construct a two-stage signal-processing theoretical framework that integrates Signaling Theory and the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM). This framework posits that the dynamic trajectory of a hotel’s green attributes (encompassing eco-facilities, sustainable practices, and ecological experiences) constitutes a high-fidelity market signal about its underlying quality. We utilized natural language processing techniques (Word2Vec and LSA) to conduct a longitudinal analysis of over 60,000 real consumer reviews from Booking.com between 2020 and 2023. This study confirms that continuous improvements in green attributes result in significant positive spillovers to location scores, while any degradation triggers strong negative spillovers. More critically, consumer environmental involvement (CEI) acts as an amplifier in this process, with high-involvement consumers reacting more intensely to both types of signals. The research further uncovers complex non-linear threshold characteristics in the spillover effect, subverting traditional linear management thinking. These findings not only provide a dynamic and psychologically deep theoretical explanation for sustainable consumption behavior but also offer forward-thinking practical implications for hoteliers on how to strategically manage dynamic signals to maximize brand value. Full article

This study addresses a gap in hospitality research by investigating how employees’ perceptions of green intellectual capital (GIC) influence their satisfaction with both career and life. Although sustainability has become increasingly relevant in organizational strategies, limited research has examined how such job resources affect employees’ attitudes. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) framework, the study proposes a model in which organizational embeddedness (OE) mediates the relationship between green intellectual capital (GIC) and satisfaction outcomes, while thriving at work (TAW) moderates this pathway. The analysis is based on data collected from 371 employees working in four- and five-star hotels in Turkey. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses. The findings show that positive perceptions of green intellectual capital (GIC) are associated with stronger embeddedness, which, in turn, enhances career and life satisfaction. Moreover, this indirect effect is more pronounced among employees who report higher levels of thriving. The results emphasize how sustainability-oriented practices can serve as meaningful resources that improve employee outcomes in the hospitality industry. Full article

The HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, and Cafes) sector plays a pivotal role in the economy due to its strong connections with various other industries, including agriculture, food and beverage, construction, packaging, waste management, water, and textiles. Given its broad impact, understanding the perceptions of students—emerging consumers and future professionals—could provide valuable insights for businesses seeking to enhance sustainable practices in ways that resonate with younger generations and improve their competitiveness. However, there is still limited understanding of how students perceive and engage with sustainability in this sector. This study explores student perceptions of sustainability practices within the HoReCa sector, examining their awareness levels, expectations, and behavior. The objective is to assess how effectively current business approaches align with student values regarding sustainability initiatives and identify key factors influencing their engagement. A structured questionnaire was distributed among university students, and the collected data was analyzed using statistical techniques to identify meaningful trends and correlations. Findings revealed a notable disconnect between students’ professed sustainability values and their actual behavior. Primary obstacles included price sensitivity, skepticism toward environmental marketing claims, and insufficient access to clear sustainability information from businesses. Despite supporting sustainable initiatives in principle, students often struggle to translate their values into purchasing decisions. The research suggests that greater business transparency, enhanced sustainability education, and incentive programs could foster increased student engagement. Full article

As environmental sustainability becomes a central strategic priority in the hospitality industry, understanding the mechanisms that enhance employees’ green behavior is increasingly essential. This study investigates the influence of Green Transformational Leadership (GTL) on employees’ green resilience (GR), exploring the sequential mediating roles of employee environmental commitment (ECOM), environmental engagement (EENG), and Green High-Performance Work Practices (GHPWPs). Drawing on data from 475 full-time employees working in green-certified hotels in Izmir, Türkiye, the proposed model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that GTL significantly enhances employees’ green resilience, both directly and indirectly, through its positive impact on their environmental attitudes and the implementation of green-oriented work practices. This research contributes to leadership and sustainability research by integrating affective, cognitive, and behavioral pathways. It offers practical insights for hotel managers aiming to build a resilient and environmentally engaged workforce. Full article

This study investigates Generation Z’s perceptions and behaviors regarding sustainable practices in the hospitality sector, with a particular focus on the gap between intentions and actual behaviors. A significant attitude–behavior gap emerges: while the majority (69%) reports adopting sustainable practices in daily life, only 30% actively reduce air travel. Through exploratory analysis, this study contributes to the existing literature by examining sustainability perceptions as key drivers in hotel selection, offering both theoretical and practical implications for the tourism industry. The data were collected through questionnaires and processed using descriptive and inferential statistics, specifically hypothesis testing tools. The findings indicate that while Gen Z exhibits strong environmental consciousness, economic constraints remain a barrier to sustainable choices. This research suggests that tourism companies need to develop targeted strategies to make sustainable options more accessible, considering both environmental sensitivity and financial limitations of the younger generation. This work addresses a notable gap in the tourism literature regarding travelers’ perceptions of sustainable practices, particularly focusing on Generation Z as an emerging market segment. Full article

In the context of macroeconomic recovery and accelerating digital transformation in the post-pandemic era, the hotel industry in China is undergoing profound structural changes. This research investigates the core competencies required for hotel managers to navigate these challenges. Data was collected via a quantitative survey involving a structured questionnaire, was conducted among hotel managers in Shanghai, China, resulting in 404 valid responses. Employing exploratory factor analysis using SPSS, this study identifies seven key competency dimensions encompassing 36 ranked items, including interpersonal communication, leadership, operational knowledge, human resource management, financial analysis, technology, and administrative management. The results show that economic recovery has brought new opportunities but also challenges to the hotel industry, and that managers must possess a diverse set of core competencies to adapt to the demanding new market changes. The novelty of this research lies in its empirical grounding and its focus on the intersection of digitalization and economic recovery within China’s hotel industry. It pioneers a dynamic strategic competency framework tailored to the evolving demands of the hotel industry during a period of economic volatility, providing empirical evidence and advice for optimizing the industry’s talent training systems. Simultaneously, it brings a new perspective for dealing with the recovery path for the hotel enterprises in other urban and travel destinations, aiming to promote industry sustainability and competitive advantages. Future research could extend the proposed framework by exploring its applicability across different cultural and economic contexts. Full article

Understanding and promoting guest satisfaction is central to the economic sustainability of the hospitality industry. Satisfaction influences consumers’ booking intentions, hotel choice, loyalty, and the reputation and performance of accommodation establishments. Thus, accurate decision making by hotel managers relies on trustworthy and easily accessible information on the variables that affect guest satisfaction. Nowadays, this information is available through reviews and ratings provided by online platforms, such as TripAdvisor. Indeed, much research into guest satisfaction uses TripAdvisor reviews. However, this study aims to analyse guest satisfaction using only TripAdvisor ratings. These ratings can be more succinct and tractable indicators than reviews. A sample of 118 hotels in Cape Verde and the Azores, two archipelagos belonging to Macaronesia, and a descriptive, predictive, and discriminant methodology are employed for this purpose. Four main results are obtained. First, the rated items on TripAdvisor are consistent with the scientific literature on this topic. Second, TripAdvisor ratings are valid and reliable. Third, TripAdvisor ratings can predict guest satisfaction based on the perceived quality of hotel services. Fourth, there are significant differences in ratings depending on the tourism destination chosen. These results are of interest to researchers, tourists, as well as hotel, destination, and platform managers. Full article

Projected changes in outdoor environmental conditions are expected to significantly alter building energy demand across the United States. Yet, policymakers and designers lack typology and climate-zone-specific guidance to support long-term planning. We simulated 10 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) prototype buildings across all 16 ASHRAE climate zones with EnergyPlus. Future weather files generated in Meteonorm from a CMIP6 ensemble reflected two emissions pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) and two planning horizons (2050 and 2080), producing 800 simulations. Envelope parameters and schedules were held at DOE reference values to isolate the pure climate signal. Results show that cooling energy use intensity (EUI) in very hot-humid Zones 1A–2A climbs by 12% for full-service restaurants and 21% for medium offices by 2080 under RCP 8.5, while heating EUI in sub-arctic Zone 8 falls by 14–20%. Hospitals and large hotels change by < 6%, showing resilience linked to high internal gains. A simple linear-regression meta-model (R² > 0.90) links baseline EUI to future percentage change, enabling rapid screening of vulnerable stock without further simulation. These high-resolution maps supply actionable targets for state code updates, retrofit prioritization, and long-term decarbonization planning to support climate adaptation and sustainable development. Full article

This study focuses on the importance of sustainability in the tourism and accommodation sector in terms of energy use. Energy, which is one of the biggest cost components in accommodation facilities, not only brings a financial burden but also leads to environmental degradation through significant carbon emissions. On the other hand, as environmental awareness increases globally, the number of environmentally sensitive travellers increases and accommodations that stand out with sustainable practices and use renewable energy sources are preferred. There is a lack of comprehensive research on this subject in Northern Cyprus. This study is a preliminary study for a more comprehensive study. Due to the key role of managers in the transition to sustainable energy use in accommodation facilities, their opinions are very important in determining the situation. Therefore, the study aims to learn the evaluations of hotel managers in order to determine the status of sustainable energy practices in accommodation facilities. Our findings indicate that although hotel managers in Northern Cyprus are aware of holistic energy management, legal and infrastructural barriers significantly hinder the practical implementation of environmentally friendly energy practices. Full article

This study investigates the mechanisms through which employees’ green behavioural intention (GBI) translates into employee in-role green behaviour (EGB-IR) in the hospitality sector. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Value-Belief Norm (VBN) theory, we propose an extended model that incorporates four contextual mediators —customers’ environmental attitudes (CEAs), coworkers’ green work climate (CGWC), supervisors’ commitment to the environment (SCE), and environmental organisational policy (EOP)—to explain how the relationship between intentions and behaviours is mediated by these social and organisational factors. Data were collected through a self-administered survey of 497 employees from hotels located in the Canary Islands, a recognised coastal tourism destination facing relevant environmental challenges. The proposed relationships were tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results confirm that GBI significantly predicts in-role green behaviour (EGB-IR), and all four contextual factors partially mediate this relationship. Among them, EOP and CGWC emerged as the most influential mediators. These findings underscore the importance of aligning individual motivation with supportive workplace environments to foster consistent sustainable practices in hospitality organisations. This research contributes to the growing literature on green behaviours in hospitality by empirically validating a multilevel TPB-VBN-theory-based framework and highlighting key points for hotel managers aiming to strengthen their environmental commitment through employee engagement. Full article

This paper aims to compare the perceptions of hotel customers and hotel staff regarding the value of green hotel attributes. By examining both stakeholder groups, the study addresses a gap in sustainable hospitality research, which largely overlooks employee perspectives in favour of customer preferences. An exploratory, cross-sectional survey was conducted using structured questionnaires, administered to hotel guests (n = 307) and hotel staff (n = 89) in Porto, Portugal. Respondents rated 15 green hotel attributes using a five-point Likert scale. Demographic data were also collected to analyse perceptual differences across gender, age, income, and education. The results revealed that both customers and staff exhibited environmental awareness, though their prioritisation of specific green practices differed. Customers tended to value visible environmental measures, such as recycling bins, energy-saving light bulbs, and renewable energy signage, while staff placed greater emphasis on operational sustainability aspects, including low-flow plumbing fixtures, refillable soap dispensers, and durable goods used in service areas. These differences reflect the stakeholders’ distinct roles and experiences within the hotel ecosystem. This study enriches the discourse on sustainable hospitality by providing a dual-stakeholder analysis of green hotel attributes using a shared evaluative framework. The findings offer practical insights for hotel managers aligning sustainability strategies with the expectations of both guests and employees, supporting more effective and inclusive green implementation in the lodging sector. Full article