Evaluating the Role of Government Policies in Enhancing Sustainable Practices in Hospitality Industry

Sustainability of the hospitality industry is increasingly gaining global attention due to its impact on the economy and the environment. The study evaluates the role of policies by the government towards promoting sustainability in the hospitality industry. Findings indicate varied levels of adoption of sustainability, ranging from water conservation and procurement of local food as most largely practiced due to their affordability. However, waste management, green packaging, and carbon footprint mitigation reported decreased levels of adoption in line with infrastructure challenges and low awareness. The study also provides evidence of interaction between regulatory policy, enforcement tools, and economic incentives, where legal compliance is linked to the level of enforcement (0.50), but economic incentives in the form of grants (0.439) and subsidies (0.368) exert significant effects on sustainability adoption. The PCA indicates that legal compliance (-0.421) and intensity of regulatory enforcement (-0.315) are instrumental drivers in the establishment of sustainable practices, while economic inducements by way of grants (0.470) and subsidies (0.281) are stronger drivers. The study shows the important role of regulatory policies, yet their effectiveness is contingent on enforcement and economic incentives.