Jasmin Prieto ENC 1102 12 November, 2013 Ecotourism Within the Hotel Sector: Its Present Progress and

Future Ambitions The hospitality industry is one of the largest industries in the U.S. and other industrialized countries, making up over 70% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (Barber, Deale, Goodman, 8). For the purpose of this paper, I will be solely focusing on the hotel sector of the hospitality industry. With that being said, this industry has a huge influence on everyday lives, consuming heaps of energy, water and other natural resources on a daily basis which, as a result, have negative impacts on the environment. This has made hotel managers and owners consider the route of ecotourism. Following this further, ecotourism (also referred to as sustainable tourism/hospitality) is the idea of reducing the use of natural resources in order to preserve the surrounding environment for present and future generations to enjoy. Researchers within this community have done case studies and wrote academic articles on ecotourism uncovering the effects it has on the natural environment and the economy today. This literature review will engage readers into the conversation that is taking place between hotel managers, eco-tourists, and other stakeholders that have unique views on the benefits and disadvantages of ecotourism, what should be done to further implement this, and how to educate future generations about ecotourism. Ecotourism and The Environment A popular trending movement within the hospitality industry is moving from mass tourism to ecotourism. Research has been done on hotels all over the world to note the positive effects the hospitality industry has on the environment by implementing techniques and activities

that are environmentally friendly and consume less natural resources (Anderson, 2009; Ayuso, 2007; Mensah, 2007). As a result of using techniques to implement ecotourism, there has been evidence in hotels that indicate lower consumption of energy and water by doing simple things such as the installation of solar panels and sorting waste (Ayuso, 2007). Some cities that have hotels who use ecotourism techniques also benefit by having clean water and improved streets (Moore, 2008). However, there has been skepticism over the past about incorporating sustainable development because some argue there has not been enough research done studying more specific effects ecotourism has on the environment (Buckley, 2009; Melissen, 2013). Overall, many hoteliers and other stakeholders within the hotel sector of hospitality are interested in transferring over to sustainable development and ecotourism. Ecotourism and The Economy Not only does ecotourism benefit the environment, researchers have noticed that going green actually saves money and makes money for hotels. By doing simple environmentally friendly activities such as switching to paperless registration and using compact fluorescent bulbs, some hotels have saved as much as $38,000 a year by reducing electricity consumption and other relevant costs (Blank, 2007; Oderwald, 2008). Consumers and tourists are becoming more aware of the environment and most of the time favor hotels who are ecofriendly (Kim Yunhi et al, 2010; Oderwald, 2008). Hotels that implement ecotourism will attract more guests, thus generating more income. How to Implement Ecotourism and Sustainable Development Techniques A main concern within this conversation is that there is not a specific way to implement sustainable development techniques; there are multiple ways to become ecofriendly in a hotel.

Besides doing simple techniques like switching to fluorescent light bulbs and reducing the amount of water wasted, popular ways to grow knowledge on ecotourism include networking and adding sustainable development education in hospitality management curriculum (Anderson, 2009; Barber, Deale, Goodman, 2011; Jurowski, Liburd, 2001). Wineaster Anderson studied the effectiveness of promoting ecotourism through using the different networks within the Balearic Islands. Networks can be composed of people within the government, the hotel industry and the academia that will encourage sustainable development within hotels through environmental education and sustainable use of resources (Anderson, 2009). Another tool that some Spanish hotels and island hotels have begun to implement is the use of eco-labels, which identify hotels that practice environment friendly techniques (Ayuso, 2007, Kokkranikai et al, 2003, Mensah, 2007). Due to the fact that ecotourism is underdeveloped, many argue it is hard to truly spread ecotourism and sustainable development globally unless a solid definition is agreed upon (Buckley, 2009; Kasim, 2006; Melissen, 2013). Conclusion Members of this community generally agree that ecotourism is advantageous but not everyone agrees on how to implement it. Sustainable hospitality lacks a solid definition that is universally known. Hotel managers and enthusiasts for the most part agree there are environmental and economic benefits of ecotourism, but there are others within this discussion that disagree on certain levels. For those who favor sustainable hospitality, many people are beginning to see the necessity of including sustainable development education in hospitality management curriculum to better prepare the future leaders of the hospitality industry. Hotel managers and owners are all for reducing costs by changing over to sustainable tourism, but the question is what would be the most effective way to achieve ecotourism. As this literature review

points out, sustainable hospitality is still underdeveloped and more research should be conducted on it in order to produce a universal definition. Therefore, sustainable tourism merits more discussion and case studies on hotels who have already transitioned from mass tourism to sustainable tourism. Although this particular research focuses on the interests of hotel managers and not so much the consumer, the negative effects of mass tourism or the positive effects of going green should be brought to the attention of consumers in order to get insight from a different perspective. More research should be done on consumers feelings towards hotels who are environmentally friendly. More government officials should get involved within this conversation in order to politicize the importance of preserving the environment and implementing ecotourism to inform consumers. This can be completed through various qualitative questionnaires on a random selection of consumers around the globe to see if green hotels influence a consumers behavioral intentions. A sample questionnaire is listed below, but more questions may be added: 1. How important is preserving the environment and natural resources to you? 2. How often do you recycle? Would you consider recycling when you are away from home? 3. When traveling, would you prefer staying at a lodging facility that implements ecofriendly policies over one that does not? 4. What techniques/practices would you suggest lodging facilities start implementing to enhance your traveling experience while also preserving the environment?

Future research can benefit businesses who wish to minimize costs and increase profits; thus, a conference should be held to invite members interested in ecotourism in order to generate ideas as to how sustainable tourism can spread across the globe to the consumers.

Works Cited Anderson, Wineaster. Promoting Ecotourism Through Networks: Case Studies In The Balearic Islands. Journal Of Ecotourism 8.1 (2009): 51-69. Hospitality & Tourism Complete. Web. 12 Oct. 2013. Ayuso, Silvia. Comparing Voluntary Policy Instruments For Sustainable Tourism: The Experience Of The Spanish Hotel Sector. Journal Of Sustainable Tourism 15.2 (2007): 144-159. Academic Search Premier. Web. 11 Oct. 2013. Blank, Christine. Going Green Saves Green. Hospitality & Motel Management 222.16 (2007): 23-96. Hospitality & Tourism Complete. Web. 11 Oct. 2013. Buckley, Ralf. Evaluating The Net Effects Of Ecotourism On The Environment: A Framework, First Assessment And Future Research. Journal Of Sustainable Tourism 17.6 (2009): 643-672. Hospitality & Tourism Complete. Web. 13 Oct. 2013. Kasim, Azilah. The Need For Business Environmental And Social Responsibility In The Tourism Industry. International Journal Of Hospitality & Tourism 7.1 (2006): 1-22. Hospitality & Tourism Complete. Web. 12 Oct. 2013. Kim Yunhi, et al. Understanding How Consumers View Green Hotels: How A Hotels Green Image Can Influence Behavioral Intentions. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 18.7 (2010): 901-914. Hospitality & Tourism Complete. Web. 12 Oct. 2013. Kokkranikai, Jithendran, Rory McLellan, and Tom Baum. Island Tourism And Sustainability: A Case Study Of The Lakshadweep Islands. Journal Of Sustainable Tourism 11.5 (2003): 426-447. Hospitality & Tourism Complete. Web. 12 Oct. 2013.

Melissen, Frans. Sustainable Hospitality: A Meaningful Notion?. Journal Of Sustainable Tourism 21.6 (2013): 810-824. Hospitality & Tourism Complete. Web. 11 Oct. 2013. Mensah, Ishmael. Environmental Management And Sustainable Tourism Development: The Case Of Hotels In Greater Accra Region (GAR) Of Ghana. Journal Of Retail & Leisure Property 6.1 (2007): 15-22. Hospitality & Tourism Complete. 11 Oct. 2013. Moore, Sara W. Ecotourism: What Developers Should Know Before Going Eco.. Hospitality Construction 3.3 (2008): 62-63. Hospitality & Tourism Complete. Web. 11 Oct. 2013. Oderwald, Maureen. Green Hotels. Hosteur 17.1 (2008): 13-16. Hospitality & Tourism Complete. Web. 11 Oct. 2013.