The tourism sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation towards sustainability in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. This shift is not just a trend, but a necessity for resilience and environmental management. Recent research led by Dr. Pavla Vrabcová from the Technical University of Liberec, together with Dr. Petr Scholz, Dr. Ivica Linderová and Dr. Hana Kotoučková from the Polytechnic School of Jihlava, examines the rise of green hotels and guesthouses in the Czech Republic, highlighting their potential to improve resilience and sustainability in the hospitality sector. This work was published in the journal PLOS ONE.
The researchers analysed the implementation of environmental management practices in various types of accommodation establishments in the Czech Republic, including hotels, guest houses and other accommodation options. Their findings indicate that the number of environmental measures implemented was relatively constant across different types of accommodation, regardless of their star rating. The results reveal that devices to reduce electricity consumption and separate waste were among the most commonly adopted measures, with almost all hotels and guest houses using them. On the other hand, less frequently adopted measures included reducing chemical consumption and promoting environmental education among employees and guests.
Dr. Vrabcová stressed the importance of this study: “Our study provides new insights into the current state of green practices in Czech accommodation facilities. It is the first comprehensive analysis of its kind in the Czech Republic, which aims to fill the knowledge gap and stimulate further research and practical discussions on sustainable tourism.”
The research was conducted using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. A survey was conducted in a considerable number of accommodation establishments across the Czech Republic, followed by focus group interviews with the managers of the selected hotels and guest houses. The survey assessed the implementation of various environmental management measures, while the focus groups provided deeper insights into the motivations and challenges these establishments face when implementing sustainable practices.
The study found that the star rating of accommodation establishments was not a decisive factor in determining their environmental impact. Both high-end hotels and modest guesthouses showed a strong commitment to sustainability. The most common environmental measures included devices to reduce electricity consumption, waste separation and reduction of water consumption. However, measures such as reducing the use of chemicals and promoting environmental education were adopted less frequently.
Interestingly, the study also highlighted that smaller accommodations, such as guesthouses, often showed a higher number of environmental measures in place compared to larger hotels. This finding suggests that smaller establishments may be more agile in adopting sustainable practices, possibly due to lower operational complexity.
One of the key takeaways from the research is the importance of environmental education and communication. Despite high adoption rates for certain measures, researchers found that many properties were not sufficiently educating their employees and guests about their environmental efforts. This gap presents an opportunity for the hospitality industry to improve its sustainability initiatives through better communication and training.
Dr Vrabcová said: “While it is encouraging to see the widespread adoption of basic environmental measures, there is still much room for improvement in areas such as chemical use and environmental education. Our findings suggest that better communication and training could significantly improve the overall impact of these initiatives.”
The results are in line with global trends in the hotel sector, where sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are becoming increasingly important. Adopting sustainable practices not only helps reduce operating costs in the long term, but also improves the social status of companies, making them more attractive to environmentally conscious consumers.
The team recommends that future research should focus on the long-term effects of these environmental measures on both the operational efficiency and financial performance of lodging facilities. In addition, more comprehensive data collection and analysis is needed to better understand the dynamics and outcomes of green practices in the hospitality sector.
In conclusion, Dr Vrabcová and her research team highlight the potential of green hotels and guesthouses to significantly contribute to sustainable tourism in the Czech Republic. By adopting and promoting environmental management practices, these establishments can not only improve their resilience, but also play a crucial role in protecting the environment and supporting local communities. As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, sustainability will undoubtedly remain a key driver of innovation and growth.
Journal reference
Vrabcová, P., Scholz, P., Linderová, I., & Kotoučková, H. (2024). Green hotels and guesthouses as a new opportunity for resilience and sustainability: evidence from the Czech Republic. PLOS ONE. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301936
About the authors
Pavla Vrabcova Pavla Vrabcová focuses on bioeconomy within the framework of sustainable development, with an emphasis on voluntary management system tools for sustainable businesses, with a focus on social responsibility and environmental management systems. She is actively involved in advisory roles in organisations such as the Quality Council of the Czech Republic, the Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Czech Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Bioeconomy Platform of the Czech Republic. She is a member of several editorial boards and programming and organisation committees of scientific conferences. Pavla Vrabcová is the author of over 60 scientific articles and is involved in scientific research projects, as well as acting as an evaluator for selected agencies. In 2023, she became Vice Dean for Science and Research at the Faculty of Economics of the Technical University in Liberec.
Petr Scholz He graduated in Tourism from Matej Bel University (Slovakia) and in Film Anthropology from Masaryk University (Czech Republic). He is currently an adjunct professor at the Polytechnic School in Jihlava (Czech Republic) and holds the position of editor-in-chief of Studia Turistica and editor of the journals Studia Sportiva. His research focuses on guest satisfaction, accommodation facilities and environmentally friendly accommodation facilities in tourism. He is also interested in contemporary sports spectator issues. He is the author and co-author of numerous articles published in the Web of Science and SCOPUS databases.
Ivica Linderova She graduated from Matej Bel University in Slovakia with a major in Tourism. Currently she is the head of the Department of Travel and Tourism at the Polytechnic School in Jihlava (Czech Republic). She is personally interested in issues related to tourism for all and the activities of destination management organisations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. She was and is a co-investigator of several scientific projects and practical projects. She is the author and co-author of several articles published in the Web of Science and SCOPUS databases, specialized monographs and textbooks.
Hana Kotoučková HK graduated from Masaryk University, where she focused on the history of robust statistical methods in her PhD thesis. She also studied Systems Engineering and Informatics at the Faculty of Informatics of the University of Hradec Králové. HK has been a professor at the Polytechnic School in Jihlava since 2007. Previously, she taught at the Faculty of Management of the University of Economics and Business in Prague. She teaches mathematics and statistics. HK collaborates with colleagues from other departments and processes statistical data, mainly in economic and tourism areas. In her research, she processes data for medical fields and explores the possibilities of using artificial intelligence in teaching statistics.
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