The prudence of an environmentally sustainable investment for hotels

Abstract

This research is based on the presentation of an eco-incentive gadget (patent pending) for the hospitality industry. This gadget, has the potential to reduce the hospitality industry's water and electricity cost of consumption, whilst mitigating negative effects on the environment. It all boils down to how ready today's hotel-guest generation is in participating in such an incentive. Another factor underlying such an innovation would be for the author to carry out a cost-benefit analysis which is not strictly within the scope of this research due to time constraints, however, interviews with experienced engineers also resulted in this product having substantial relevance to the management. This work investigates how green the selected hotels are in terms of eco- awareness towards guests and employees alike through 3 semi-structured interviews with Human Resources Directors, why such a gadget should be implemented in the five star hotel market, through another set of 3 semi- structured interviews, this time, with engineers and finally, two other semi- structured interviews with industry specialists. A set of proposed suggestions through engineer recommendations on Enesave and a balanced scorecard in order to help hotels implement the model, are found in the analysis. The Enesave survey is also introduced to 60 unbiased tourists and locals at Malta International Airport through convenience sampling. Results indicate that although Enesave is more potentially viable with staff, due to guest ix rooms being less viable for concrete savings, British and Maltese respondents, proven through an alternative analysis (SPSS), are willing to pay to use Enesave per guest room. General findings conclude that Enesave's outcome would be more profitable and eco-sustainable if implemented to employees, particularly in the back of house area in hotels. Enesave should be considered as the link between engineers and the rest of the population, which classifies it as a tool of awareness, much needed amongst the industry's employees. The key is for each hotel investing in Enesave, to maintain consistent awareness amongst staff and simply narrow the gap between behavioural technology and consistency. Enesave is the link.