Environmental Sustainability Practices In Hospitality Industry: The Case of Addis Ababa Hotels, Ethiopia
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Date
2019-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Hotel sector is one of the main components of the tourism industry. Despite the fact that
hotels play a significant role in development, they also bring negative impacts on the
environment by consuming natural resources and driving out wastes. To minimize the
negative impacts, hotels need to implement environmental management practices. In the
context of Ethiopia, studies are rarely conducted to examine the nexus between the hotel
sector and the environment.
This research aimed to explore the operational environmental sustainability practices of
Addis Ababa hotels. The study also analyzed the motivators and barriers of environmental
practices within hotels. A mixed research design is applied to the study. Quantitative data
were gathered from hotel managers through a self-administered questionnaire, and
qualitative data were collected through the semi-structured interview from hotel stakeholders.
Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and thematic
analysis, respectively. The environmental practices indicators were examined under the
groups of water-saving, energy-saving, green purchase, waste management, and creation of
clean air. Within these groups, the installation of energy-efficient bulbs and key card/sensor
for light; using energy-efficient appliances; regular maintenances of water and electric
facilities; the installation of dual toilet and other low flow water technologies; placing of dust
bins; sorting and disposing of solid wastes; buying of local products and employing smokefree policy were implemented at certain extent. However, fundamental environmental
practices indicators like alternative energy program; liquid waste treatment; water re-use;
towel & linen re-use; rainwater harvesting system; composting of eco-wastes; recycling of
materials; having a garden; eco-friendly purchase; and green building were still rarely
practiced. Factors like the saving of hotel operational costs, hotel market competitiveness,
and the contribution of modern technologies played a role in motivating hotel environmental
practices. However, the lack of hotel owners' support, lack of formal environmental policy in
hotels, lack of government support, absence of government regulation, and lack of sufficient
physical infrastructure were the critical barriers to environmental practices. Therefore,
environmental practices in the Addis Ababa hotels are still at the infant stage. The achieved
practices were derived by benefit vests in hotel businesses rather than a commitment to the
environment. Finally, recommendations were provided for hotel managers and owners,
government, and other concerned bodies to guide the hotel's environmental practices.
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Keywords
environment, hotel, environmental sustainability practice, environmental practice barriers, environmental practice motives