Sustainable Hospitality Management: Practices, Challenges, and Strategies for Global Operations
Authors
Department of Hotel, Catering and Institutional Management, Accra Technical University, Accra (Ghana)
Department of Building Technology, Accra Technical University, Accra (Ghana)
Article Information
DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI.2026.1303000077
Subject Category: Hospitality and Tourism
Volume/Issue: 13/3 | Page No: 861-867
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-03-08
Accepted: 2026-03-15
Published: 2026-04-01
Abstract
Purpose: This paper examines sustainable hospitality management practices, challenges, and strategic approaches in global operations, emphasizing ESG frameworks, smart tourism technologies, and post-pandemic operational strategies.
Design/Methodology/Approach: A systematic literature review was conducted on 85 peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2025. A structured search strategy, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and selection process were applied. The process is illustrated with a PRISMA flow diagram.
Findings: The study finds that while energy efficiency, waste reduction, and community engagement are widely adopted, barriers persist in standardization, stakeholder alignment, and technology integration. Strategic approaches incorporating ESG, smart technologies, and post-pandemic resilience improve sustainability outcomes.
Practical Implications: The findings provide insights for hospitality managers and policymakers seeking to implement sustainable practices, improve ESG adoption, and leverage technology for operational efficiency.
Originality/Value: This paper presents a rigorous synthesis of recent literature on sustainable hospitality, integrates emerging trends such as smart tourism and post-pandemic strategies, and provides a conceptual framework for global operations.
Keywords
Sustainable hospitality management; ESG practices; Smart tourism; Post-pandemic strategies; Global operations
Downloads
References
1. Bohdanowicz, P. (2022). Sustainable hotel practices and social responsibility: A global review. Journal of Hospitality Management, 45(2), 101–115. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
2. Chen, H., Zhang, Y., & Wang, J. (2022). Smart tourism technologies for sustainable hospitality operations. Tourism Management Perspectives, 42, 100973. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
3. Chen, J., Liu, R., & Park, S. (2021). Green building initiatives in hospitality: Adoption and performance. Sustainable Cities and Society, 67, 102738. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
4. Gonzalez, M., Smith, A., & Brown, K. (2020). Energy efficiency and sustainability in hotel management. International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Administration, 21(3), 234–250. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
5. Gursoy, D., Chi, O. H., & Lu, L. (2022). Post-pandemic strategies for resilient hospitality operations. Tourism Review, 77(5), 1019–1035. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
6. Hossain, M., & Islam, M. (2022). Environmental sustainability practices in global hotels. Sustainability, 14(6), 3452. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
7. Jones, P., Hillier, D., & Comfort, D. (2021). Sustainable development in the hospitality industry: A systematic review. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(7), 1005–1023. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
8. Kim, S., Park, J., & Lee, K. (2023). ESG adoption in hotel management: Trends and implications. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 6(1), 57–73. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
9. Kumar, A., & Singh, R. (2023). Integrating ESG and smart technologies in global hotel chains. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 107, 103376. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
10. Lee, J., & Chen, S. (2020). Sustainability drivers in the hospitality sector. Tourism Review, 75(2), 345–362. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
11. Lee, H., Park, J., & Wang, Y. (2022). Challenges in smart tourism technology adoption. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 13(3), 421–439. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
12. Li, X., Li, Y., & Wang, H. (2021). Global trends in sustainable hotel practices: A comparative study. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 33(12), 4025–4044. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
13. Marques, C., & Ferreira, F. (2021). ESG frameworks in the hospitality industry: Implementation challenges. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(4), 1805–1820. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
14. Park, D., & Kim, S. (2022). Smart tourism and sustainability: A global overview. Sustainable Tourism, 30(5), 813–831. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
15. Park, J., Chen, L., & Wang, T. (2022). Technology-driven sustainability strategies in hospitality. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 46(7), 1450–1468. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
16. Rahman, M., Khan, A., & Rehman, A. (2021). Barriers to sustainable practices in global hospitality. Sustainable Tourism, 29(5), 657–674. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
17. Singh, P., Sharma, R., & Kumar, S. (2023). ESG performance and hotel competitiveness: Evidence from Asia-Pacific. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 31(2), 305–324. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
18. Smith, A., Brown, K., & Lee, M. (2021). Comparative analysis of sustainable hospitality practices. Tourism Management, 83, 104244. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
19. Tan, C., Zhou, Y., & Li, H. (2022). Technology adoption in sustainable tourism: A cross-country analysis. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 13(4), 512–530. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
20. Wang, Y., & Liu, Z. (2021). Post-pandemic resilience and sustainability in hotels. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 97, 102986. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
Metrics
Views & Downloads
Similar Articles
- An Analysis of Waste Management Practices in Selected Buffet Restaurants in Quezon City, Philippines
- Assessing the Effects of COVID-19 on Hospitality and Tourism Employment
- A Conceptual Framework for Profiling Stream Anglers in Malaysia
- Service Quality and Guests’ Satisfaction: Evidence from Banda Hilir, Melaka
- "Empowering Urban Communities through Sustainable Tourism: The Case of GLOW 2025 in Kampung Pengkalan Rama Pantai, Melaka"