Why Go Green? The Business Case for Environmental Commitment in the Canadian Hotel Industry

ABSTRACT Despite several studies, international treaties and individual organization's commitment to going green in the tourist hotel industry, there has been limited discussion of the business case for implementing environmental practices. Several hotels have determined that there are numerous benefits to greening their hotel operations; however, there is still a gap between attitude and action in this industry. Cost savings; competitive advantage; employee loyalty; customer retention; regulatory compliance; risk management and social responsibility have been identified as the benefits to environmental commitment however with very limited discussion and proof in relation to the hotel industry. This paper seeks to identify the business case for environmental commitment with a focus on the Canadian hotel industry. Concrete examples of benefits that apply to this industry are discussed as well as future trends that support the case that going green is necessary for an economically viable and efficiently run hotel.