Implementing Green Practices in Hotel AVANI: Benefits of ISO 14001 and EMAS

Running head: HOTEL & HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT 1
Hotel and Hospitality Management
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HOTEL & HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT 2
Hotel and Hospitality Management
The increased demand on the supply of energy increased challenges in solid waste
management and water, air and soil pollution are among the many adverse environmental
effects in the hospitality industry (Mbasera, Du Plessis, Saayman & Kruger, 2016).
Considering these effects, it’s quite hard to be certain regarding the long-term implications of
these effects, especially those associated with climate change around the globe (Rogerson &
Sims, 2012). This necessitates the need for the implementation of green practices in the hotel
and hospitality industry and the development of accommodation that is free from carbon at
various destinations (Mbasera et al., 2016). Accommodation is one of the most important
segments in the hospitality industry (Ottenbacher, Harrington & Parsa, 2009). Hotels are
characterized by several activities that have significant effects on the global resources. The
effects of hotels on the environment contribute to the challenges which are known across the
globe, with the primary one being climate change (Bohdanowicz, Zientara & Novotna, 2011).
The activities in hotels release substantial greenhouse gases which are released into the
atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons. According to research by
Han, Hsu and Sheu (2010), most of the commercial buildings, including restaurants, have the
greatest adverse effects on the environment. The approximations have shown that a hotel can
release between 160 kg and 200 kg of carbon gas in each square meter of the floor of a room
every year and the rate of water consumption per head per night is also high. It is with this
regard that hotels are urged to adopt green practices to minimise the adverse effects to the
environment. The main aim of this study is to explore the implementation of green practices
in the Hotel AVANI and discuss the benefits of implementing environmental safety
certifications such as ISO14001 and EMAS.

HOTEL & HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT 3
Literature Review
The sustainability debate has been on the rise and the relationship between
environment and tourism has been the central focus and regarded as a high priority topic. The
environmental and social impact of tourism has emerged as a topic of discussion since the
Rio Earth Summit of 1992 (Graci, 2009). The rapid deterioration of natural resources around
the globe fuelled the concession among leaders from across the world that sustainable
development should be the primary focus of businesses and governments. Vast literature has
shown that in various parts around the globe, sewage and waste materials associated with
accommodation are discharged directly into rivers, seas and lakes without any form of
treatment, hence, creating adverse health risks and awful environment (Timothy & Teye,
2009). As part of tourism, the hospitality industry is to blame on the ecological deterioration,
although its impact has not been more intense than those of the automobiles, cruise ships and
airlines (Timothy & Teye, 2009). However, it is imperative to note that the increased
challenge of solid waste has become an extra environmental impact of the operations of
hotels. It is, therefore, essential for hotels to act with regard to effects of hotels on the
environment as this will demonstrate a good ecological stewardship. This can be achieved by
implementing green practices in every business operations in all sectors.
Hotels, which act as the primary providers for accommodation services, play a crucial
role in the hotel industry and their operations impose substantial ecological and economical
effects on the environment. Considering the fact that hotels impose negative effects to the
environment, it is crucial for hotel managers to take action that would help in mitigating such
impact on the environment. Some studies have emphasized on the measures that hotel
management can take in order to effectively tackle the issues that arise from their business
operations (Hsieh, 2012, Timothy & Yeye, 2009).