Extent of Corporate Sustainability Adoption in the Hospitality Industry: A Case Study of Tourist Hotels in Sri Lanka

Examining the existing level of corporate sustainability practices of tourist hotels under the three pillars of sustainability: Environmental, Economic and Scio-cultural 

Key finding of the study

The dominance of environmental practices in the sustainability efforts of Sri Lanka’s tourist hotels underscores the sector’s commitment to addressing ecological concerns while socio-cultural and economic aspects remain lack of attention from the hotel management.

Authors

C.N.R. Wijesundara, Department of Tourism Management, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya, Sri Lanka

A. Khatibi, Post Graduate Centre, Management & Science University, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

S.M.F. Azam, Post Graduate Centre, Management & Science University. Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

J. ThamD, Post Graduate Centre, Management & Science University. Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Summary

The hospitality industry, particularly in emerging tourism destinations, faces increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices that align with global environmental and social standards. This study investigate the existing level of corporate sustainability adoption by tourist hotels in Sri Lanka. Through a case study approach, the research investigates the extent to which these hotels have integrated sustainable practices into their operations, including economic, socio-cultural and environmental practices. Quantitative method was employed as the research method and questionnaire survey method has been utilized to collect the required data. 247 questionnaires were distributed among the registered tourist hotels & a representative of the top management was invited to fill the questionnaire from each hotel. 213 questionnaires received and 207 completed questionnaires were used for data analysis and the mean ranking technique was employed by using the SPSS software. The findings revealed a significant emphasis on environmental sustainability initiatives by these tourist hotels. This prioritization aligns with broader trends observed in developing nations, where businesses tend to focus more on environmental aspects than on socio-cultural and economic dimensions. The dominance of environmental practices in the sustainability efforts of Sri Lanka’s tourist hotels underscores the sector’s commitment to addressing ecological concerns, a trend corroborated by previous academic research. These insights contribute to the understanding of how sustainability is implemented in different contexts, particularly in developing countries, and suggest a need for a more balanced approach that equally considers all dimensions of sustainability. Finally, this study provides practical insights for policymakers, hotel managers, and stakeholders aiming to enhance the sustainability of the tourism sector in Sri Lanka. The implications of this study suggest that needful support and capacity-building initiatives are essential to fostering widespread adoption of sustainability practices across the industry, ensuring long-term environmental stewardship, socio-cultural and economic resilience.

Published in

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS)

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