Tourism Industry Trends - Essay Example

Tourism Industry Trends Article Research Paper (Going Green) Task Table of Contents Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………..3 Current Trends in Shanghai……………………………………………………………………….4 Discussion on the Future Trend…………………………………………………………………...5 Summary/Conclusion and Learning Experience………………………………………………….6 References…………………………………………………………………………………………8 Tourism Industry Trends Article Research Paper – Going Green Introduction Shanghai is one of the largest cities in the world and among the leading in tourist attractions across China. This is majorly due to the deep and ancient history that the city has dating back to numerous generations past. In fact, one of the attractive features of Shanghai is because if its size. This is the largest city by population in China, with is population towering above 24 million as evidenced by statistics in 2013. On the other hand, the city is also the largest city proper, under similar considerations. This makes it one of the four major direct controlled municipalities in the world. The city is also a global financial center, as well as, a major transport hub in the world as it hosts the busiest container port in the world. As such, visitors going to Shanghai can do this for both pleasure and business (McDaniel & Rylander, 1993). However, just like any other city in China, shanghai is at a high risk of environmental degradation owing to the massive carbon emissions from industries within the city. These carbon emissions make the city uninhabitable as it poses serious health threats to the members of the public, as well as, the tourists. Consequently, it is imperative for the government, as well as, other concerned parties to take steps to reduce the level of carbon emissions in the city, and come up with the right measures to make the city a place that is safe for habitation, and reduce the level of health risks within the city (Kim & Han, 2010). The government is a little slow in this move because it reduces its level of industrial production. However, the tourist industry, and especially the hoteliers, have embraced this business are now providing residents of shanghai with a little heaven away from their stuffy and congested atmosphere. The hotels are taking a bold move in protecting their environment and as such, encouraging more and more tourists to go green even in their tourism. Current Trends in Shanghai Initially, most hoteliers and investors in the tourism industry thought that most consumers were not willing to pay for a premium greens service. This is majorly because of the high costs attached to these health-assuring services. However, if the developments in China are anything to go by, and especially considering the current environmental situation in Shanghai city, more and more consumers are even willing to pay double for the same service as long as it comes with the green concept in mind. The customers want to go green and to avoid the health hazards of living in an environment full of carbon gases and the thorny issue of the ever increasing global warming, which has significant indices and effects in China. As such, most hoteliers in Shanghai are attracting more consumers than ever especially if the consumer realizes that they are adopting green practices. some of the green practices adopted by these hoteliers include using the solar energy instead of coal for warming rooms and heating the water, using energy saving bulbs, recycling waste and sewerage water, and, adopting technology as a tool of communication instead of using printed papers for printing in an effort to save the trees and forests from extinction. This is majorly because China is the leading country in the world in industrialization, but its fast pace in industrial growth has detrimental effects on its environment. As such, the country has to conserve and guard jealously its forests reserves in order to have a counter measure for the growing global warming and carbon emissions in the atmosphere. These hotels try to avoid using any direct or indirect product from the trees or forests in order to protect the environment and majorly to emphasize the doctrine that trees are life because they purify the air, most especially the congested and polluted Shanghai air (Han, Hsu & Sheu, 2010). Discussion on the Future Trend The going green phenomenon is becoming more and more popular especially with the obvious effects of global warming and carbon emissions experienced most cities across the world, and especially in China. For instance, there was a point in time when the authorities had to enforce a total lock down in Beijing, the capital city of China due to dust fog. Dust had covered the entire city such that it was very difficult for a motorist to see anything a few feet ahead. In addition, the amount of dust in the air was at very dangerous level that when directly inhaled would lead to respiratory complications. As such, due to these experiences, tourists are more than ready to pay for anything green found in china, thus the growing popularity of green hotels across the city of Shanghai. This is also in relation to the fact that it enables the consumers to have some peace of mind that they are in an environment that is safe and healthy. The hotels are also adopting green technology because it is economical and cost efficient in the end. For instance, they have massive savings in their energy costs owing to their usage of solar energy than the usage of electricity generated by thermal generators. Going green also boosts the image of these hotels as being environment friendly, and this attracts more customers to come enjoy their services. The growing need from consumers for green services, as well as, their willingness and ability to pay for these services is another factor fueling the rapid growth of green hotels across Shanghai (Han, Hsu & Lee, 2009). Summary/Conclusion and Learning Experience More consumers will be willing to lodge in hotels that undertake green practices as opposed to those that operate under normal conditions. This means that the trend is growing and developing further owing to the increased awareness of the consumers of the sad effects of global warming and carbon emissions within the atmosphere. The consumers also want to set a standard of protecting their environment by demanding these green services from their hotel service providers. As such, this assignment gives me an opportunity to forecast the future trends in the hospitality industry and prepare for it by adopting green practices (Gustin & Weaver, 1996). References Gustin, M. E. & Weaver, P. A. (1996). Are Hotels Prepared For The Environmental Consumer? Journal Of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 20 (1), 1-14. Han, H., Hsu, L. T. & Lee, J. S. (2009). Empirical Investigation of the Roles of Attitudes toward Green Behaviors, Overall Image, Gender, and Age in Hotel Customers’ Eco-Friendly Decision-Making Process. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 28 519-528. Han, H., Hsu, L., & Sheu, C. (2010). Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior to Green Hotel choice: Testing the Effect of Environmental Friendly Activities. Tourism Management, 31, 325–334 Kim, Y. & Han, H. (2010). Intention to Pay Conventional-Hotel Prices at a Green Hotel –A Modification of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 18 (8), 997-1014. McDaniel, S.W. & Rylander, D.H. (1993), “Strategic Green Marketing”, The Journal of Consumer Marketing, Vol. 10 No. 3, Pp. 4-11. Read More