An Assessment of Management Commitment to Application of Green Practices in 4 – 5 Star Hotels in Mombasa, Kenya

Abstract

Hotel businesses consume significant amounts of natural resources, discharge large amounts of raw and solid waste which consequently affects the sustainability of the natural environment. Environmental management and sustainability have been recent important issues in hospitality industry. The hotels, as a main sector of the hospitality industry, have benefited from environmental initiatives through improving corporate image and increasing resource and energy efficiency. In Kenya greening in hotels is a new concept that managers are yearning to embrace. This study therefore sought to establish the current state of green practices in four to five star hotels in Mombasa, Kenya. Further, this study also sought to determine the relationship between management environmental commitment and organizational involvement in green practices. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules and observation checklists. The results indicated that 88.9 percent of the managers were not satisfied with their current issues while 81.5 percent were focusing on improving the green concepts. The study concluded that hotel managers should embrace regular environmental audits where environmental performance is constantly monitored and recorded. Environmental education and training were also considered valuable in developing awareness, knowledge, positive attitude, skills and participation in green practices.

Keywords: Kenya, hotel industry, managers, commitment