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Shedding Light on Eco-Innovation in Tourism: A Critical Analysis

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  • Maria-del-Mar Alonso-Almeida

    (Business Organization Department, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain)

  • Alfredo Rocafort

    (Accountability Department, University of Barcelona, Barcelona 08007, Spain)

  • Fernando Borrajo

    (Business Organization Department, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain)

Abstract

The recent global increase in the competitiveness of tourism has made the implementation of eco-innovations a differentiating element among both the destinations and companies in the sector, with quality management and contribution to sustainable development being increasingly valued. However, the eco-innovations that have been developed and implemented in tourist industries have rarely been studied. In this study, the eco-innovations that have been developed and implemented by 57 tourism businesses worldwide are analysed. The identified eco-innovations are classified by using different qualitative methodologies. The obtained results shed light on the limited development of eco-innovations in the tourism industry and the industry focuses mainly on product eco-innovations. Several examples by the tourist sub-industry and types of eco-innovation are analysed. Furthermore, this study provides practical information about measures that both businesses and governmental organisations can adopt to promote eco-innovation in the sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria-del-Mar Alonso-Almeida & Alfredo Rocafort & Fernando Borrajo, 2016. "Shedding Light on Eco-Innovation in Tourism: A Critical Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:12:p:1262-:d:84387
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Adina-Raluca Sibian & Ana Ispas, 2021. "An Approach to Applying the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity Theory to Identify the Driving Factors of Green Employee Behavior in the Hotel Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Sotiriadis, Marios & Magadán-Díaz, Marta & Rivas-García, Jesús, 2018. "Drivers of eco-innovation and economic development in the Spanish hospitality industry," MPRA Paper 99161, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Magadán-Díaz, Marta & Sotiriadis, Marios & Rivas-García, Jesús, 2019. "Drivers of eco-innovation in the Spanish hospitality industry," MPRA Paper 94090, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Fernando Borrajo-Millán & María-del-Mar Alonso-Almeida & María Escat-Cortes & Liu Yi, 2021. "Sentiment Analysis to Measure Quality and Build Sustainability in Tourism Destinations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, May.
    5. Juliana Langgat & Boumediene Ramdani & Suzana Pavic & Evren Tok, 2023. "Environmentally Sustainable Practices and Hotel Performance: Evidence from Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-15, March.
    6. Fang-Hua Chen & Chang-Ching Tsai & Pei-Yin Chung & Wei-Shuo Lo, 2022. "Sustainability Learning in Education for Sustainable Development for 2030: An Observational Study Regarding Environmental Psychology and Responsible Behavior through Rural Community Travel," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-17, February.
    7. Johannes Enzmann & Marc Ringel, 2020. "Reducing Road Transport Emissions in Europe: Investigating A Demand Side Driven Approach †," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-31, September.
    8. Miguel Ángel Montañés-Del-Río & José Aurelio Medina-Garrido, 2020. "Determinants of the Propensity for Innovation among Entrepreneurs in the Tourism Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-18, June.
    9. José Miguel Rodríguez-Antón & María del Mar Alonso-Almeida, 2019. "The Circular Economy Strategy in Hospitality: A Multicase Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-14, October.
    10. José Luís Lopes & Leonardo Fernando Cruz Basso, 2023. "The Impact of Eco-Innovation Adoption on Business Performance—A Study of the Hospitality Sector in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-25, May.
    11. Joanna Trafialek & Ewa Czarniecka-Skubina & Jurgita Kulaitiené & Nijolė Vaitkevičienė, 2019. "Restaurant’s Multidimensional Evaluation Concerning Food Quality, Service, and Sustainable Practices: A Cross-National Case Study of Poland and Lithuania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-21, December.

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