Small and medium ‑sized accommodation managers and opportunities for water conservation

Abstract

To improve the environmental performance of small and medium -sized accommodation enterprises, it is important to understand the factors and motivations that move managers to adopt more efficient technologies and ecologically responsible practices. A sample of 18 independent family -run hotels and campsites were contacted in the mature tourist resort area of the Costa Brava (Spain). The research worked with a combination of surveys and semi -structured interviews directed at top managers. Saving water is revealed as a matter figuring low on the list of priorities of most managers, while competitive advantages and stakeholder pressures appear as less relevant drivers than is posited in most of the scientific literature. We conclude that addressing organizational factors holds more promise in terms of transformative power supporting water conservation than structural or technological changes. Pequeños y medianos gestores de alojamientos y oportunidades para la conservación del aguaResumen: A fin de lograr una mejora de la gestión ambiental de las pequeñas y medianas empresas de alojamiento es importante comprender los factores y motivaciones que impulsan a sus gestores a adoptar tecnologías más eficientes y prácticas ecológicamente responsables. Una muestra de 18 hoteles y campings en la destinación turística madura de la Costa Brava (España), todos ellos gestionados por empresas familiares independientes, fueron contactados para el proyecto. La investigación se basó en la combinación de encuestas y entrevistas semi -estructuradas con los máximos responsables de los establecimientos. El ahorro de agua se revela como una cuestión de baja prioridad para la mayoría de gestores, mientras que las ventajas competitivas y la competencia por el uso de agua por parte de otros grupos sociales aparecen como factores menos relevantes que en la mayor parte de la literatura científica publicada. Se concluye que incidir sobre los factores organizativos tiene un mayor potencial de transformación de las empresas para el ahorro hídrico que no los cambios que puedan realizarse a nivel estructural o tecnológico.

Water Use in the Tourism Accommodation Sector

“…As a general rule, the study of personal values, ethics, altruistic attitudes, beliefs, worldview, and similar variables reveals unequivocally how managers who express greater environmental concern tend to be more receptive and proactive in adopting measures that encourage water saving in their facilities (Park et al 2014). Previous experience of management and especially of handling situations of hydrological crisis also influences decisions (Razumova et al 2016;Llausàs et al 2020). Despite the fact that these characteristics are inseparable from each individual, it has also been demonstrated that cultural and formative aspects mediate on them.…”

“…Sometimes managers of small hotels and family-run hostels have been attributed a greater awareness and commitment to environmental care, because of a more direct engagement with the environment and the local community, which would result in a greater feeling of attachment and co-responsibility (Bohdanowicz 2006;Park et al 2014). However, other findings suggest that SMAEs tend to be less active in implementing improvements; their managers are more skeptical about the benefits their actions can bring; they can shift the burden of responsibility for solving environmental problems to other stakeholders; and they face a shortage of financial resources and time to devote to formal environmental management initiatives for water or energy (Hillary 2004;Torres-Bagur et al 2019;Llausàs et al 2020). There is ample evidence that the largest businesses, and especially the large hotel chains, are the most active in formally adopting policies and plans of action and training in environmental sustainability through what are known as Environmental Management Systems (EMS) (Mensah 2006;Rahman et al 2012).…”

“…Despite the fact that they engage in less EMS development, this strategic objective prompts them to adopt resource-saving solutions that are in line with sustainability objectives (Bohdanowicz 2006;Torres-Bagur et al 2019). Several authors have observed that the relatively low price of domestic water in most countries makes the reduction of water consumption somewhat contingent on energy saving, and therefore cost-effective, entailing such measures as the incorporation of more efficient appliances, smart metering, or hot water timing mechanisms (Charara et al 2011;Llausàs et al 2020). The result of these divergent strategies is that whereas larger and more luxurious establishments can, in theory, achieve very large water consumption savings through adoption and investment in EMS, while benefiting from economies of scale, it is the small, independent establishments that do not formally embrace environmental management that show consistently smaller water consumption (Dinarès and Saurí 2015;Gabarda-Mallorquí et al 2017;Rico et al 2020).…”

“…At the facility level, it is well-known that managers often turn to salespeople and installers who specialize in domestic networks and efficiency of equipment and appliances for advice. If these agents know and advocate the possibilities that these items offer to save resources, it is more likely that managers will adopt them (Llausàs et al 2020). The environmental management requirements that tour operators may impose on establishments to bring guests with booked packages constitute another source of pressure that can improve water management in the sector (Garay and Font 2012).…”