Eco-Friendly Practices in Certifed Green Hotels in Phuket A Case Study of Russian Tourists

Abstract

This study examines the approach of certified, in accordance with the Green Globe and Green Leaf systems, hotels in Phuket to implement environmental management practices, as well as the perception of the importance of using green practices for both hotel guests and hotel managers, with the ultimate goal of reducing the negative effects and improving the quality of the environment of Phuket and the ecology as a whole. Data collection was carried out using a qualitative research method. Quality research with a targeted sampling method was used for hotels, open-ended questions and semi-structured interviews were conducted to study the experience of hotels that have certificates of environmental funds and apply green practices. Also, a quality method has been applied to hotel guests. For the study, only Russian tourists who stayed at least I night in a certified hotel were selected. For the convenience of the guests, the method of selective research was used. These interviews were conducted to examine the environmental awarenéss and responsiveness of hotel guests. The main internal problems in the implementation and use of green practices were the attitude of employees and expenses, as well as the lack of tourist awareness, while there was a tendency to more active participation in the external environmental events. Many hotels demonstrated their achievements in cooperation with the government and society aimed at external overall activity and concern for the environment. A high interest in green practices and environmental awareness among Russian tourists was also noted. But there were a number of problems for which people do not apply green practices. The most important factor influencing the decision-making by tourists about staying in green hotels was the price, not the environmental friendliness and eco-activity of the hotels. The second important factor is the inability to obtain information on the provided green practices and the hotel's green policies. If hotels would more actively inform consumers about their environmental activities, the number of interested practitioners would be greater.