Hotel Industry's Role in Sustainable Tourism

A business trend that began in the 1970's and continues today is sustainable development. This involves companies and industries using practices that protect the environment while increasing profits. In 1973 and 1974 during the energy crisis, businesses and industries became concerned about utility costs and energy supply. In the 1980's the United Nations World Tourism Organization (WTO) introduced the concept of sustainable development to the tourism industry. Sustainable development was defined as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." This concept came to be known as sustainable tourism. During the 90s the hospitality industry was encouraged by the WTO to use environmental initiatives such as the construction of "green" buildings and becoming involved in environmental certification programs, which help hospitality executives and managers develop environmental goals and put them into practice.

Today, tourism executives work with a variety of public and private environmental organizations in achieving goals that not only protect the environment but also cut operation costs. Hotel managers are responsible for implementing these goals.

Current trends of sustainable tourism in hotels primarily focus on three areas: energy, water, and waste. Practices such as changing linens and towels and maid service less often help to save energy and water. Improved equipment and scheduling, proper room ventilation, and elimination of simultaneous cooling and heating are being used today to save energy. Plumbing systems are being improved and bathroom fixtures have been retrofitted to save on water use. In order to reduce waste, hotels use a variety of strategies such as reusing, reducing, and recycling wastes, which lessens processing and hauling costs.

More hotels are taking advantage of environmental certification programs,

which provide third-party evaluation...