Murali Srividya Iyengar and Rajagopalan Venkatesh
Sustainable Luxury Stays: Investigating Eco-Friendly Practices in High-End Hotels
ICON: Journal of the International Committee for the History of Technology 29, no. 1 (2024): 125–143.
Research Brief
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11590/icon.2024.1.05
Abstract
The study investigates the connection between sustainable hotel practices and luxury. This is due to the rise in sustainable luxury lodging options as well as increased interest in eco-friendly travel among affluent travellers. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by focusing on sustainable hotel operations, combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies in a mixed-methods approach. A representative sample of upscale hotels throughout the world was selected using stratified random selection.
The survey looked at the extent of hotel managements’ commitment and is an extensive assessment of different sustainability strategies. Furthermore, semi-structured interviews with senior hotel management personnel about the challenges, motivations, and mindsets associated with environmentally conscious luxury travel also contributed to the qualitative research.
The findings reveal that luxury hotels are employing a variety of sustainability strategies, such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and responsible building. Comparably, the quantitative analysis shows that there have been significant reductions in resource usage and environmental degradation. Individuals who prioritise environmental awareness are acutely aware of the green practices that upscale hotels follow.
However, challenges, including significant upfront expenses and norm discrepancies, stand in the way of effectively incorporating sustainability. This study highlights prospects for sustainable practices in luxury hospitality and closes a gap in the existing literature.