From Compliance to Culture: Managerial Perceptions of Environmental Sustainability in Five-Star Hotels in Gauteng, South Africa

Sustainability has become a strategic priority in the hospitality sector, particularly in luxury hotels where environmental responsibility must be balanced with high service quality. This study explores hotel managers’ perceptions and experiences of implementing environmentally friendly practices in five-star hotels in Gauteng, South Africa. A qualitative research approach, guided by a constructivist paradigm, was employed using semi-structured interviews with seventeen middle-level managers from major departments in the hotels. Data were manually and software-coded, and thematic analysis produced nine interrelated themes: Adoption Culture, Collaboration Networks, Consumption Tracking, Guest Revenue Drivers, Operational Shifts, Operational Prioritisation, Staff Enablement, Structural Constraints, and Valued Pragmatism. The findings indicate that managers generally perceive sustainability as both an ethical responsibility and a business imperative, particularly in relation to brand reputation, guest expectations, and cost efficiency. However, implementation is constrained by infrastructural instability, high initial investment costs, limited supplier availability, and occasional resistance from staff and guests. The study highlights the importance of embedding sustainability within governance systems, staff practices, and organisational culture to support long-term adoption. This research offers context-specific insights into sustainability implementation in South African luxury hotels and provides practical value for hotel managers, policymakers, and sustainability stakeholders operating in resource-constrained environments.