Introduction
Sustainability, in terms of businesses, means the correct and ethical manner of using natural and human resources within the present and in the future. This way, we can satisfy the needs of the current generations while maintaining the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability is a critical concern for the well-being of the environment and society in the context of the tourism sector’s environmental footprint and social influence (Baloch et al., 2022, pg. 5920). This is a broad sector with numerous businesses represented by hotels, restaurants, and amusement parks that, ultimately, provide fundamental economic functions and dictate consumer attitudes. On the other hand, the hospitality industry is burdened by more than enough sustainability challenges, such as high energy consumption, water usage, waste production, and labour exploitation. They bring these problems not only to the environment but also to the health of the locals and the industry’s sustainability in the long run. Therefore, the upcoming analysis paper shall be devoted to discovering the level of care for human and ecology sustainability in various hospitality companies, covering their practices, effects, and possible better practices. With this research, we aim to emphasize the need to incorporate sustainability principles into companies’ operations and bear the responsibility for making our future more sustainable and suitable for all interested parties equally.
Case Studies
Introduction of Selected Companies
The hospitality industry has witnessed the increasing adoption of sustainable practices as companies are poised to achieve profitability. At the same time, they are keeping on with their social and environmental underpinnings. In this section, we introduce three prominent companies operating in the hospitality sector: Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, and Accor S.A.. These are among the world leaders in sustainability and the leaders in their respective industries.
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., an international company which was established in 1919, is the largest and the most famous brand in the hospitality industry. Under the umbrella of its portfolio, which represents more than 6,500 properties in 119 countries and territories, Hilton has taken off as a leader in sustainable hospitality applications (Matteucci, 2020, pg. 515). Marriott International, Inc., a company which opened its doors back in 1927, currently manages around 7800 outlets of different brands like Marriott, Sheraton, and Ritz-Carlton (Sanvitale, 2020, pg. 32). Marriott is leading the industry with a full-scale environmental sustainability framework and its eccentric nature. ACCOR S.A., a French multinational hospitality organization, manages more than 5,100 hotels and residences globally, ranging from deluxe to economy, the midscale. ACCOR S.A. has been the first to craft sustainability into its business plan, which it seeks to do just that to reduce its environmental impact and maximize social benefits.
Description of Company Operations and Key Statistics
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. manages a broad range of brands that target distinct market categories, such as luxury, full-service, or select-service hotels. Hilton generated a revenue of $4.3 billion in the third quarter of 2023, with a net income of $224 million. Marriott International, Inc. also has a portfolio of brands reaching both leisure and business travellers. In the third quarter of 2023, Marriott announced revenue of $1,099 million and net income of $959 million (Marriott International Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results, n.d.). Accor S.A. works under the umbrella of different brands, including Sofitel, Novotel, and ibis, providing a wide diversity of accommodation arrangements (Suga, 2021, pg. 20). The company said that its revenue for the third quarter of 2023 amounted to €1.5 billion, with a net loss of €60 million, because of persistent difficulties in the global tourism industry.
Characterization of Sustainability Awareness and Maturity in Selected Organizations
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. showed high dedication to sustainability by aligning its practices with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our organization has created a set of target numbers for cutting down the negative impacts on the environment, which stem from the utilization of energy, water, and emission of greenhouse gases. Hilton’s “Travel with Purpose” campaign integrates sustainability into its operations through zero waste, socially and environmentally responsible sourcing and community involvement (Matteucci, 2020, pg. 513). Marriott International, Inc. has similarly prioritized sustainability, launching its “Serve 360: “Better in Every Direction” is a platform that will help us advance towards our goals of solving environmental and social problems (Sanvitale, 2020, pg. 32). The fact that Marriott uses efficient energy systems, water conservation plans and sustainable supply chains in all the properties all around the world, the company cares about saving the environment. Accor S.A. is also integrating good sustainability with the “Planet 21” project, which is made for having a lower environmental impact and social responsibility (Nga, 2020, pg. 205). Accor’s sustainability roadmap broadly covers the territory of biodiversity conservation, waste management, and health promotion among its employees.
Impact of Sustainability Practices/Initiatives on the Community, Employees, and Environment
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc., Marriott International, Inc. and Accor S.A. approach sustainability practices development concerning the local community, employees, and the environment in a positive way. Such ventures can sponsor various educational, community and environmental conservation programs if they reach out to the communities affected by their activities. Through responsible tourism and sustainable development, Hilton, Marriott, and Accor are equally capable of positively impacting the economic growth of the local communities and the conservation of cultural heritage. Moreover, they are meant to improve workers’ well-being and development and introduce various training programs, health insurance, and promising career advancement chances. Apart from this, sustainable practices such as Energy and Water conservation and waste reduction, among other things, including green building design, have also contributed to the preservation of our environment and the climate fight.
Application of Appropriate Concepts and Theories in Critical Analysis
The evaluation of the sustainability preparedness and maturity of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Marriott International, Inc., and Accor S.A. are justified by diverse theories and concepts from the literature and best industry practices. The statement of Triple Bottom Line (TBL) consists of adopting economic, social and environmental components as drivers of the decisions the businesses make (Dr. Vivek et al., 2021pg 1232). On the other hand, the UNSDGs create a comprehensive set of indicators to analyze the efficiency of a company’s contributions to global sustainable objectives. Source concepts such as corporate social responsibility (CSR), stakeholder engagement, and sustainable supply chain management greatly help assess the operational effectiveness of the companies’ sustainability policies. A deeper understanding of the approaches and risks that the hospitality industry encounters is accomplished when these knowledge areas and ideas are utilized. Consequently, areas of possible correction are explored and discussed.
The examples of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Marriott International, Inc., and Accor S.A. guide one to the prominence of sustainability in the hospitality sector and the great attempts the major firms take to avoid the negative impacts on the environment and society. Admittedly, companies are subject to unfair treatment due to a lack of resources, regulatory laws, and changing consumer demands, but they still manage to prove their resilience and creativity through sustainable implementation. Soon, the cooperation of all hospitality industry stakeholders, governments and civil society will be essential to achieve more sustainable and responsible hospitality results.
III. Reflective Analysis
Reflection on Personal Understanding of Sustainability Concepts
The development process of the research portfolio has brought me to a deeper level of sustainability concepts. Initially, I mainly related sustainability to environmental preservation, which entails initiatives to decrease carbon footprint, eliminate waste, and preserve natural resources. Nevertheless, I discovered that sustainability involves a much more comprehensive range of factors, such as social justice, economic prosperity, and intergenerational fairness. The TBL concept that values the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors was the most eye-opening. I learned that sustainability can only be achieved when people, planet, and profit are considered together. Beyond that, I learned how to deal with the complexity and multifaceted sustainability challenges with trade-offs and synergies among various goals and parties. Finally, through this reflection, I have increased my recognition of sustainability as a crucial principle in both businesses and society.
Insights Derived from the Creation of the Portfolio.
The generation of this research portfolio was enlightening regarding the sustainability strategies of enterprises operating in the hospitality industry. Through in-depth analysis and critical evaluation, I have better understood how companies such as Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Marriott International, Inc., and Accor S.A. integrate sustainability into their business processes. I have learnt that the companies utilize alternative strategies, including energy efficiency and waste reduction, community engagement, and responsible sourcing. Additionally, I comprehend the benefits of transparency and responsibility in evaluating the sustainability agenda of the companies (Ibnou-Laaroussi et al., 2020, pg. 16). Through the scrutiny of critical metrics and indicators, like carbon footprint, water consumption, and employee satisfaction, the effectiveness of companies’ sustainability initiatives can be measured, as well as the areas that require attention. Crucially, it has highlighted the role of stakeholders, such as investors, consumers, and civil society organizations, in pushing businesses to develop sustainable practices and hold companies as accountable as possible for their social and environmental impacts. Through creating this portfolio, I have exploited sustainability knowledge in the business context and enriched my skills for evaluating companies’ sustainability performance.
Identification of Potential Opportunities for Businesses in Sustainability
The research, which is the basis of this portfolio, has pinpointed several possible avenues businesses can pursue to improve their sustainability strategies and benefit stakeholders. There are examples where the use of new technologies and techniques boosts the green performance of companies, helping to minimize the environmental impact and achieve efficient resource utilization. Such investments in renewable energy generation systems, ultra-low energy consumption designs in buildings and technological solutions for waste management can help companies decrease dependence on fossil fuels, cut their emissions and save costs (Nga, 2020, 203). The consumers’ demand for sustainability grows in the mainstream products and services market, providing an opportunity for businesses with unique products that attract environmentally conscious customers. Brands can embrace this shift in consumer behaviour by integrating sustainability into their brand building, marketing, and product innovation, eventually elevating their reputation and competition. Furthermore, the business can cooperate with relatives and other stakeholders, including suppliers, suppliers, NGOs, and government bodies, to solve sus, sustainability issues collectively to get systemic change across industrial segments. Collaboration would help businesses solve problems like climate change, social disparities, and biodiversity loss, contribute to broader society’s objectives and promote long-term value for shareholders and stakeholders.
Finally, the discussion on the concepts of sustainability, the knowledge developed through the development of a portfolio, and the identification of showbusiness opportunities clearly shows how to integrate sustainability into business strategy and operation. Using a comprehensive sustainability approach that assesses environmental, social, and economic issues, companies can make their organizations more robust, more resistant to crises, and more competitive in a world with a new level of interdependence. From now on, there will be a significant responsibility for companies to be an engine of change and participate in the prosperity of people and the environment; businesses are essential in this process.
Concluding Remarks
To sum up, the research has provided us with invaluable information about the sustainability practices of significant players in the hospitality industry, such as Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., Marriott International, Inc., and Accor S.A. Through the process of critical thinking, we have seen that these companies have slowly grown in their commitment to sustainability, and this is reflected in the initiatives that they have adopted to cut down on On the one hand; challenges still exist, such as scarcity of resources, regulatory compliance and stakeholder involvement. They also need innovative approaches and collaborative efforts across the industry. However, these challenges can be seen as avenues for businesses to improve their sustainability metrics and add value to their stakeholders. By integrating sustainability as a pillar of their business operations, companies can enhance their operational effectiveness, draw in eco-conscious consumers, and create a stellar brand reputation. Besides being a moral obligation, sustainability is also a strategic requirement in the present competitive environment, where organizations must demonstrate responsibility for resources and contribute to social and environmental welfare. Consequently, businesses in the hospitality industry should consider making sustainability a core component of their long-term success strategy.
References
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Ibnou-Laaroussi, S., Rjoub, H. and Wong, W.-K. (2020). Sustainability of Green Tourism among International Tourists and Its Influence on the Achievement of Green Environment: Evidence from North Cyprus. Sustainability, 12(14), p.5698. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su12145698.
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Matteucci, V., 2020. How can the hospitality industry increase corporate value that is aligned with sustainable development goals? Case examples from Hilton, Meliá and Sun. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 12(5), pp.509-523.
Nga, M. N. T. T. (2020). Corporate social responsibility: a case study of accor hotels group. Sustainable tourism: Shaping a Better Future, 203.
Sanvitale, A. (2020). Corporate Social Responsibility in the Hotel Industry: A Study of Marriott International and Odyssey Hotel Group _____________ In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts. [online] Available at: https://arno.uvt.nl/show.cgi?fid=151914.
Suga, R. (2021). Space Efficiency in Hotel Development. [online] Available at: https://www.modul.ac.at/uploads/files/Theses/Master/Grad_2021/MBA_2021/210926_MBA_Thesis_Robert_Suga.pdf.
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