Circular Economy Practices in the Hotel Industry: An Urban Destination Versus a Sun and Beach Island Destination

Abstract

The hotel industry is characterized by a linear consumption–production model that significantly impacts the environment through high energy and water usage, biodiversity loss, waste generation, road congestion, CO2 emissions, and pollution. Existing circular economy literature predominantly addresses the manufacturing sector, with a notable lack of focus on its application within tourism. This study investigates circular practices, based on the 3R principle, in the hotel sector concerning water, energy, waste management, human resources, and corporate social responsibility across two distinct destinations: a sun-and-beach destination and an urban destination. It formulates five hypotheses to examine the extent to which hotel characteristics—specifically age, size, category, chain affiliation, and type—significantly influence the adoption of circular economy measures. The research reveals that hotel size, category, age, and type play significant roles in the adoption of circular practices. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how the hotel industry can transition toward a more circular model, highlighting the necessity for tailored strategies based on specific characteristics of each hotel and destination.