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Incentives and Barriers to Water-Saving Measures in Hotels in the Mediterranean: A Case Study of the Muga River Basin (Girona, Spain)

Author

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  • Maria Torres-Bagur

    (Department of Geography and Institute of Environment, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain)

  • Anna Ribas

    (Department of Geography and Institute of Environment, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain)

  • Josep Vila-Subirós

    (Department of Geography and Institute of Environment, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain)

Abstract

Decreasing water availability and growing demands due to climate change and increasing tourist numbers in the Mediterranean basin are likely to result in worsening conflicts between socioeconomic sectors that depend on water to survive. We conducted 19 in-depth interviews with hotel owners and managers in the Muga river basin (Girona, north-east Spain) to analyze their use of water-saving measures and explore perceived incentives and barriers. Hotel size, category, and year of construction/renovation were all directly associated with the implementation or lack of implementation of certain measures. The hoteliers did not perceive any strong incentives to adopt water-saving measures, but there were clear indications of cost and technical barriers and a lack of awareness about possible options. Efforts are clearly needed to improve incentives and increase awareness and knowledge about water-saving measures among hoteliers in this part of the Mediterranean basin, where water is a necessary resource for the tourist industry and many other sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Torres-Bagur & Anna Ribas & Josep Vila-Subirós, 2019. "Incentives and Barriers to Water-Saving Measures in Hotels in the Mediterranean: A Case Study of the Muga River Basin (Girona, Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:13:p:3583-:d:244116
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Zorica Duric & Jasna Potočnik Topler, 2021. "The Role of Performance and Environmental Sustainability Indicators in Hotel Competitiveness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-26, June.
    3. Ahmed Hassan Abdou & Thowayeb Hassan Hassan & Mohammed Moustafa El Dief, 2020. "A Description of Green Hotel Practices and Their Role in Achieving Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-20, November.
    4. Olga Orynycz & Karol Tucki, 2021. "Total Productive Maintenance Approach to an Increase of the Energy Efficiency of a Hotel Facility and Mitigation of Water Consumption," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-21, March.
    5. Dolores Tirado & William Nilsson & Bartolomé Deyà-Tortella & Celso García, 2019. "Implementation of Water-Saving Measures in Hotels in Mallorca," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-13, December.
    6. Rosa Anaya-Aguilar & German Gemar & Carmen Anaya-Aguilar, 2021. "Usability Analysis of Andalusian Spas’ Websites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-14, February.
    7. Enrica Garau & Josep Vila-Subiros & Josep Pueyo-Ros & Anna Ribas Palom, 2020. "Where Do Ecosystem Services Come From? Assessing and Mapping Stakeholder Perceptions on Water Ecosystem Services in the Muga River Basin (Catalonia, Spain)," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-21, October.

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