Sustainable Water Policymaking for the Hotel Industry: A Longitudinal Network Analysis of Policy Documents

Abstract

Safeguarding water resources in tourism contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to the wider 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, sustainable management of water, in order to address both current and future demand for water resources in an equitable and environmentally sound manner, is one of the most significant challenges faced by tourist destinations. Using a case study approach, this research conducts a social network analysis (SNA) of the water policymaking system of Singapore’s hotel industry by longitudinally examining the structure of relations among policy themes and policy stakeholders. The network approach attempts to examine the structural evolution in the water demand management (WDM) policy network based on an analysis of 329 (co)produced policy documents (2001–2020) available in the public domain. A broad range of policy themes, together with divergent policy stakeholders, are uncovered in this interconnected dynamic policy system. Subsequently, systematic policy research is extended to discuss the interrelationships of policy stakeholders and policy themes over the past 20 years. Our findings highlight the network structure of the policy domain and suggest an openness and vibrancy of sustainable WDM as an interdisciplinary policy domain. Cross-sectoral stakeholder engagement has contributed to the evolution and complexity of the policy theme network. The study’s findings provide significant insights into the relationships of policy actors and the evolving network structure of a multidimensional policy framework.