International Tourism: Sustainable Development at Ritz Hotel London

This research project, conducted for an International Travel and Tourism Management course, investigates sustainable tourism development with a focus on the Ritz Hotel London. The project's aim is to explore various ways to promote sustainable tourism, with specific objectives including defining sustainable tourism in the hospitality industry, identifying promotion methods at the Ritz Hotel, and determining the effectiveness of these practices on hotel performance. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing literature reviews, and interviews with hotel managers to gather data. The methodology includes defining research philosophy, approach, strategy, and choice, along with data collection methods, sampling techniques, and time horizons. The project also includes a Gantt chart outlining activities and timescales, as well as an ethical approval form addressing participant involvement and data security. The findings will offer insights into how the Ritz Hotel can enhance its sustainability practices to improve its brand image and gain competitive advantages.

International Travel and Tourism Management
Unit 18 and Unit 19 Research Project (RQF) L5
Project Proposal Form
Session: September 2019
Student Name Student ID
Tutor Date
Unit Number:
Research Theme: Sustainability
Research Topic: Promoting sustainable tourism development
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Based on your topic, define and write your research title which
should reflect on the aims and set specific objectives to be
achieved from your research (e.g. what is the research question
you want to answer? What do you want to learn or find out? What
is assumption or hypothesis you are making and the problem?):
Research Aim: “To investigate the various ways of promoting
sustainable tourism development. A study on Ritz Hotel London ”
Research Objectives:
 To identify the concept of sustainable tourism development in
hospitality industry.
 To determine different ways to promote sustainable tourism
development within Ritz Hotel London.
 To determine the effectiveness of sustainable development

practices in improving the performance of Ritz Hotel London.
Research Questions:
 Define the concept of sustainable tourism development in
hospitality industry?
 What are the different ways to promote sustainable tourism
development within Ritz Hotel London?
 What is the effectiveness of sustainable development practices in
improving the performance of Ritz Hotel London?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other subjects you
are studying, personal interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you
want to improve, why the topic is important):
The main purpose of investigating this research is to investigate the various ways to promote
sustainable tourism development through this research aims at different ways that are
effective to make hotel sustainable. There are also other motives which have achieved
through conducting this research. There are two types of perspectives personal and
professional. As per the personal motive I have learnt that it is necessary to protect
environment so that future could be saved and natural resources would not be harmed. By
conducting this research I have got more concerned about the environment and from the
professional motive I made an understanding related to different ways which assist in
keeping organization sustainable. With this it would assist me in future when I will be in my
professional career and assist my organisation by providing them way to become more
sustainable.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question,
objective or hypothesis:
Define the concept of sustainable tourism development in hospitality industry
According to MacKenzie and Gannon (2019), sustainable tourism development is defined
as process which focuses towards establishing a balance between socio-cultural, economic

and environmental aspects related to development of tourism. It plays a major role in
biodiversity conservation. Basically it attempts in minimizing the impact on local culture
and environment so that it gets available for the upcoming generation with making
contribution in generating employment, income and local ecosystem conservation.
Hospitality industry is committed towards adopting activities which have lower impact on
local culture and impact on environment. Various hotels and eco lodges create positive
experience to the customers with sustainable tourism by saving the environment.
What are the different ways to promote sustainable tourism development within Ritz
Hotel London
According to Cheer and Lew (2017), there are different ways for promoting sustainable
tourism development within Ritz Hotel London, uses go green at hotel where they
continuously ask their customers to turn off electronic gadgets, heaters and air conditioners
when they move out. The hotel focuses on programs which have recycling and follow strict
guidelines related to sustainability. Ritz Hotel also focuses on decreasing the carbon
footprint so that sustainable tourism development could be promoted. Hotels also focus on
buying products that are organic and products that are available from local market.
What is the effectiveness of sustainable development practices in improving the
performance of Ritz Hotel London
According to Kim, Whitford and Arcodia (2019), there is effectiveness of sustainable
development practices in improving the performance of Ritz Hotel, London as by
adopting these practices it improves the image of the brand and avail competitive
advantages by using such practices which are more effective in managing sustainability
in the organization. Sustainability also focuses on rising the productivity level and
reducing costs. This attracts more customers because employees are more interested in
hotels that are complying sustainable regulations.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
MacKenzie, N. and Gannon, M.J., 2019. Exploring the antecedents of sustainable
tourism development. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality
Management.

Cheer, J.M. and Lew, A.A., 2017. Sustainable tourism development: Towards resilience
in tourism. Interaction. 45(1). pp.10-15.
Kim, S., Whitford, M. and Arcodia, C., 2019. Development of intangible cultural
heritage as a sustainable tourism resource: the intangible cultural heritage
practitioners’ perspectives. Journal of Heritage Tourism. 14(5-6). pp.422-
435.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Milestone one: literature review
Target date (set by tutor): ________________

Milestone two: Data collection
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Gantt Chart
Gantt chart is observed as the graphic representation tool of entire
activity in research that will going to be used by researcher.
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely
to use and why? What your areas of research will cover:
Research methodology refers to the methods which are used for gathering and analysing
information required for conducting investigation in a systematic and proper manner. There
are various methods which are used by investigator for investigating research.
Research Philosophy: Research philosophy referred as creation of knowledge according to
the research. There are two kinds of research philosophies: positivism and interpretivism,
interpretivism philosophy is chosen by investigator to conduct research and collect
qualitative data.
Research Approach: It referred as process considered for analysing information. Two types
of philosophies are: inductive and deductive. Inductive approach is chosen by researcher
because it assists in analysing qualitative information.
Research Strategy: Research strategy refers to the strategies which are used to gather
information from various strategies. The different types of strategies are survey, literature
review, case study, experimental work and so on. Survey has been chosen by researcher to
gather information for attaining the objectives of investigation.
Research Choice: There are two types of research choice commonly known as qualitative
and quantitative research choice. For meeting the objective of investigation, qualitative
research choice is selected because it assists in determining subjective and theoretical
information whereas quantitative is not selected because it gives numerical information.
Data Collection: Data collection has been classified into two types: primary and secondary.
For this researcher selects both the types of data collection. Primary is considered to take out
raw information whereas secondary is used to bring data which already exists. Primary data
has taken out from the selected 3 mangers of Ritz Hotel, London for collecting qualitative
data from interview. whereas secondary data has been taken out from books, journals,

articles, newspapers and many more.
Sampling: Sampling defined as technique used for selecting individuals from the given
whole population. The two kinds of sampling are: probability and non-probability sampling.
Non probability sampling is considered because in these respondents are not selected
randomly whereas probability sampling does not support the current research objectives. 3
managers are selected as respondents chosen from Ritz Hotel, London.
Time Horizon: Time horizon is the method through which researcher focuses on completing
research on time. Time horizon is classified into parts which are longitudinal and cross-
sectional time horizon. For this cross-sectional time horizon is considered because it assists
in completing research on time.
Research instruments: There are various instruments of the data collection including
questionnaire, interview, focus group etc. All these are essential but according to the given
topic, interview will be a chosen method. As it facilitate in collecting of qualitative
information within less time.
Data analysis: For analysing data in an effective and efficient manner, researcher has taken
assistance of thematic analysis. Thematic analysis is the method used by investigator for
systematically analysing the qualitative data collected from interview instrument of research.
It is applied to the information gathered through interview process.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be
submitted for another qualification and is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV
sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.

Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV)
Date

Gantt Chart:
Milesto
ne
Projective
Activities
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1
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3
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4
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7
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8
W1
1
W1
2
W1
6
W1
7
W2
0
W2
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W2
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M1 Project
formulatio
n and
Project
Planning
M2 Literature
Review
M3 Methodolo
gy
M4 Data
Collection
and
Analysis
M5 Discussion
of the
results,
including
reflection
M6 Report
writing
M7 Presentati
on of the
managem
ent

Achievement based on Gantt chart (Part of formative assessment)
Week Milestones and Activities to be Carried Out Tutor’s feedback and
date
W3 Problem formulation and Project Planning
Research Problem/issues identification and research
rationale
Research Topic and title
Research aims and objectives
W7 Literature Review
Identify and collect relevant literature
Review of key
W11 Methodology
Identification and selection of methodologies
Evaluation and choice of methodology
Select data collection methods and sampling
Choice of data analytical techniques
W16 Data Collection and Data Analysis
Data collection
Data Analysis
Data presentation and Interpretation
W20 Analysis and Discussion
Analysis and discussion of the findings
Reflection on the outcomes and methods used
Recommendations for improvement
W23 Report writing
Writing-up the report in appropriate format
Presentation in right media
W24 Presentation of the project outcomes to the intended
audience

Research Ethics Approval Form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data
collected from human participants are required to gain ethical approval before commencing their
research. Please answer all relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if
incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor.
Before competing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully
with your Unit Tutor. Please complete this form in good time before your research
project is due to commence.
Section 1 Basic Details
Project title: Promoting sustainable tourism development
Student name:
Student ID Number:
Programme:
College:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project Summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as part of your project:
(Copy and paste the tick where applicable)
Interviews:

Questionnaires:
Observations:
Use of Personal Records:
Data Analysis:
Action Research:
Focus Group:
Other (Please specify): Secondary Research