Chapter 5 The hospitality sector

Abstract

Hospitality, constituting an essential component of the tourism industry, is a sector characterized by many feasible opportunities to cut carbon dioxide emissions and to reduce the use of resources. Hence this chapter, drawing on the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR), focuses on the way the hospitality sector copes with climate change. Its principal aim is to show what international hospitality companies, which are regarded as pioneers of CSR-inspired environmentalism, have done to mitigate the effects of global warming. In doing so, the chapter critically examines innovative measures and instruments introduced by top hotel chains within their CSR programs with an aim of reducing their carbon footprint. It lays emphasis on the practical dimension, highlighting the nature and effectiveness of concrete initiatives, and the issues that arise during the implementation process. The chapter concludes by providing specific managerial-policy guidelines, thereby contributing to the dissemination of best practice, and suggestions for further research.

Citation

Zientara, P. and Bohdanowicz, P. (2010), "Chapter 5 The hospitality sector", Schott, C. (Ed.) Tourism and the Implications of Climate Change: Issues and Actions (Bridging Tourism Theory and Practice, Vol. 3), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 91-111. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2042-1443(2010)0000003008