Environmental Impact of Green Hotels - Literature review Example

? Ideation techniques on green hotels with potential, profiling of green hotels and environmental impacts on green hotels Table of Contents Idea of “green hotel” 3 2. Benefits of Green Hotel 4 3. Deliverables of green hotel 5 4. Environmental impact 7 Reference List 8 1. Idea of “green hotel” In order to compete internationally implementation of the information and telecommunication technologies (ICT) has become one of the indispensible ways. A large number of hotels are seen to adopt the ICT in major areas of operations like relationship management, customer service, marketing, communication and other areas of operations (DiPietro and Wang, 2010). The most neglected area for the small and medium scale enterprises while using the ICT is the environmental sustainability in the various business activities (Cobanoglu, 2010; Ruiz-Molina, Gil-Saura and Moliner-Velazquez, 2010). Estimations suggests that 75 percent of the environmental impacts done by the hotels are due to the excessive consumption of water, energy, non durable goods and various types of waste emission released into soil, water and air. Therefore, the hotels should think about ways that may reduce these environmental impacts and also make the stakeholders and customers aware of this fact. Some of the recent studies have suggested from the perspective of the guest, the importance of green practices in hotels (Han, et al., 2011; Lee, et al., 2010). The first study suggested that the hotel should design effective communication strategies that would highlight their green services and products regarding the development of green positioning strategy and green image. The consumers while going with their lodging decision often gives importance to such factors. The main motive was that the consumers thought that by choosing a green hotel they are contributing towards saving of the green environment for their children. It has been stated in the second study that going green also provides marketing advantage, especially in understanding the attitudinal profile of the customers towards eco-friendliness. The eco-friendly hotels that use material, water and energy efficiently along with providing quality services are termed as “green hotels”. They harmonize environmental sustainability and tourism. The businesses that are environmentally responsible are maintaining a good place in the new found popularity for ecotourism. The hotels are seen to be getting greener consistently. 2. Benefits of Green Hotel A specific mindset and flamboyance is represented to the existing and the potential customers by the Green hotels. As suggested by the global trends since 1990s the hospitality industry has seen the commencement of environmental conscious product and services. Studies have suggested that hotel guests are seen to be more inclined towards the green hotels and are motivated towards preserving the natural environment not only for their future generation and children but also for their well-being. These factors are also found to reflect the reason for brand choice (Lee, et al., 2010). The word ‘green’ has different implication on the various stakeholders and more particularly the consumers of the hotel. The environmental practices followed by the hotels are different from that of the corporate practices that are engaged for incorporating the environmental standards. However, the consumers are seen to have a different level of trust on the perception based on intimation and engagement of commercial branding. Branding is very critical factor in case of hospitality industry. Branding is different for the green hotels as compared to other commercial, domestic or international hotels. The branding of the green hotel is rare and this provides them with the differentiation and provides the customers with different type of experience. Moreover, some of the customers are seen to be inclined towards the eco-friendly property in their holidays due to the personal and environmental commitment. The green hotels effectively preserve and conserve by means of reducing solid waste, decrease in the use of energy and saving water. These have created benefits for the hotels in forms of reducing liabilities and costs, low risk and high return investments, positive cash flow and increase in profit (Alexander, 2002). The most wasteful and costly use of resources in the hotel are in the form of consumption of excessive water, non-renewable energy and generation of waste. On identifying these incentives and benefits the popularity of the green hotels has witnessed massive growth. The strategy of environmental sustainability also lead to benefits like gaining competitive advantage, risk management, employee retention, increased brand value, customer loyalty, award recognition and regulatory compliances (Claver-Cortes, et al., 2007). 3. Deliverables of green hotel A green hotel does not necessarily signify elimination of by-products. It means effectives usage of renewable resources such that the generation of by products can be reduced or if by products are created then the by-products can be used as raw materials for other processes. The main deliverable of green hotel apart from quality customers services are as follows: Energy Efficiency The tourist accommodating in the hotels lead to expensive and large requirement for the energy especially in form of cooling system and space heating. The green hotels should aim to reduce the consumption of energy in these points. Strategies like designing of passive solar heater to some simple techniques like enhancing the insulation can help in eliminating the need for costly cooling and heating system. A big difference can be made by simple changing the thermostat. Hotels all over the world are seen to implement various energy saving projects for heating and cooling system. Light is the second major source that consumes energy. This is also the easiest and cost effective area that reduces the energy cost. The fluorescent lamps are believed to generate four times as more light per watt when compared with the incandescent lamps and also lasts 8 to 10 times longer. So the green hotel can replace all its incandescent lamps with the fluorescent lights in order to conserve energy. Solar power is another efficient way to conserve energy by replacing gas and oil, which are considered as the non-renewable sources of energy. It uses natural resource and generates huge environmental and economic benefits (McLean-Conner, 2009; Sternstein, 2011). Water conservation Water efficient equipments should be installed in the hotels that help in delivering services better. The hotels those are using water conservation systems should purchase and install proper tools in doing this (Chen, 2009). The products should be chosen as such that replaceable component can provide long term performance. Installing faucet aerators and shower head with low flow are some of the popular options that are used for water conservation. Automatic flushing toilets and urinals are observed to use huge amount of water. Installing sensors in urinals and shower heads with low flow can help in conserving water. Waste Reduction Waste for a hotel is signified as glass, aluminium, food, paper, plastic and other materials. By implementing waste reduction programs the hotel can save cost and create an environment friendly hotel. However this initiative requires the support and help from the management team as well. Recycling container can be used for the disposal of food waste (Pizam, 2012). 4. Environmental impact The hotels are seen to be huge consumers of energy. It has been estimated that about 75% of the hotels impact the environment negatively by excessive consumption (Bohdanowicz, 2006). Thus, the green hotels are easy solution to reduce such negative impacts. Their initiatives in form of waste reduction, energy and water conservation have been seen to create a positive impact on the environment. The energy conservation measure not only reduces the cost but also reduces the emission of green house gases (Gossling, et al., 2005). The hotels are not only resource intensive but at the same time the waste is also generated in massive amount. The food waste is the highest (Bohdanowicz, 2005). Recycling of waste and using of reusable products have lead to waste reduction that has created environmental sustainability. Dependable and clean water supply is one of the most important requirements of the tourist. In hotel, water is required for not only cooking and cleaning purpose but also for the purpose of entertainment like swimming pools. The implementation of equipments that reduces the consumption of water may lead to conservation of water. Reference List Alexander, S., 2002. Green Hotels: Opportunities and resources for success [pdf] Available at [Accessed 3 July 2013]. Bohdanowicz, P., 2005. ‘European Hoteliers’ environmental attitudes: Greening the business. Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, 46(2), pp. 188-204. Bohdanowicz, P., 2006. Environmental awareness and initiatives in the Swedish and Polish hotel industries - Survey Results. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 25(4), pp. 662-668. Chen, J., 2009. Advances in hospitality and leisure. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing. Claver- Cortes, E., Molina-Azorin, J.F., Pereira-Moliner, J. and Lopez-Gamero, M.D. 2007. Environmental strategies and their impact on hotel performance. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 15(6), pp. 663-679. Cobanoglu, C., 2010. Get social, or get out [online] Available at < http://hospitalitytechnology.edgl.com/columns/Get-Social,-or-Get-Left-Out55270> [Accessed 3 July 2013]. DiPietro, R.B. and Wang, Y.R., 2010. Key issues for ICT applications: impacts and implications for hospitality operations. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 2(1), pp. 49-67. Gossling, S, Peeters, P., Ceronc, J.P., Duboisd, G., Pattersone, T. and Richardson, R.B., 2005. The Eco-Efficiency of tourism. Ecological Economics, 54(15), pp. 417-434. Han, H., Hsu, L.-T., Lee, J.-S. and Sheu, C., 2011. Are lodging customers ready to go green? An examination of attitudes, demographics, and eco-friendly intentions. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 30, pp. 345-55. Lee, J., Hsu, L., Han, H. and Kim, Y., 2010. Understanding how consumers view green hotels: how a hotel’s green image can influence behavioral intentions. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 18(7), pp. 901-14. McLean-Conner, P., 2009. Energy efficiency: Principles and practices. Oklahoma: PennWell Books. Pizam, A., 2012. International encyclopedia of hospitality management. London: Routledge. Ruiz-Molina, M.E., Gil-Saura, I. and Moliner-Velazquez, B., 2010. Good environmental practices for hospitality and tourism. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 21(4), pp. 461-76. Sternstein, J., 2011. Energy consumption and savings in Indonesian resort hotels: Perspectives for energy efficiency and renewable. Norderstedt: GRIN Verlag. Read More