Spain is the second largest tourist destination in the world, with around 59.2 million visitors each year, so its footprint is among the most considerable. But by looking at the net profits and depreciation of Spanish hotels, alongside variables such as the size and surroundings of each business, Cornell’s researchers were able to debunk often held misconceptions that “adopting sustainability programs will diminish hotels’ performance.” Indeed, ISO 14001 Hotels in beachfront locations boast close to twice the mean income of those who have not adopted environmentally conscientious business practices.
While we may often associate the notion of an eco-friendly hotel with more boutique resorts, the report found that the hotels with ISO 14001 certification tended to be larger scale businesses
than those without. The study did not look at any of the large hotel chains. This is not to say such chains are naive to green practices; several
European hotels chains have begun to adopt environmentally friendly policies and eco-branding predicated on their ISO 14001 certification.
Taken together, it offers a promising suggestion that going green can be good for business, and that consumer pressure and preference for eco-friendly services can indeed change the behavior of major industries.
+ Cornell University Center for Hospitality Research (LINK)
ECO Commerce Review Jan/Feb 2014
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