Title: A comparative examination of the sustainable practices implemented by the hotel industry in Portugal: addressing operational challenges and future needs

Authors: José Ferreira Fernandes; Kelly Maguire; Luís Lima Santos

Addresses: Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Studies, Faculty of Business and Hospitality, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, University Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37HD68, Ireland; CiTUR – Centre for Tourism Research, Development and Innovation, School of Tourism and Maritime Technology, Polytechnic of Leiria, Rua do Conhecimento, No. 4, 2520–614, Peniche, Portugal ' Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Studies, Faculty of Business and Hospitality, Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, University Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37HD68, Ireland ' CiTUR – Centre for Tourism Research, Development and Innovation, School of Tourism and Maritime Technology, Polytechnic of Leiria, Rua do Conhecimento, No. 4, 2520–614, Peniche, Portugal

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for greater responsibility and sustainability efforts within the hotel industry. A number of calls have been made for destinations to build resilience and ensure that policy agendas align to the sustainability needs of the industry. However, the current implementation of sustainable practices in the Portuguese hotel industry has been called into question. Through the application of a quantitative content analysis approach, this research presents a comparative examination of the sustainable practices implemented by the hotel industry in Portugal, utilising industry recognised GSTC baseline criteria. Findings report low levels of compliance with the sustainability criteria and highlight the need to address a number of operational challenges and future needs in the short and long term. The results may present implications for other destinations when it comes to the effective implementation of sustainable practices in hotels in the future.

Keywords: sustainable practices; hotels; hotel industry; hospitality sector; Portugal; operational challenges; sustainability; Global Sustainable Tourism Council; GSTC; COVID-19 pandemic.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHEM.2022.130755

International Journal of Hospitality and Event Management, 2022 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.261 - 291

Received: 12 Apr 2022
Accepted: 09 Jan 2023
Published online: 04 May 2023 *

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