Environmental Management Systems for Caribbean Hotels and Resorts

Abstract

Hotels and resorts around the world are now adopting environmental management systems as a means of improving resource use efficiency, reducing operating costs, increasing staff involvement and guest awareness, and obtaining international recognition in the travel and tourism marketplace. This article examines the cost savings and performance improvements at five hotel properties in Jamaica that were among the first in the Caribbean to adopt an environmental management system (EMS). The five hotels evaluated in the case study, Sandals Negril, Couples Ocho Rios, Negril Cabins, Swept Away, and Sea Splash have achieved remarkable improvements in environmental performance, and accompanying cost savings, since implementing environmental management systems (EMS).¹ These results are outlined below and serve as direct evidence of environmental performance improvements that result from proactive environmental management.² Total cost savings for the five properties is estimated to be $615,500, or $910 per room. The properties had a cumulative water savings of 41.4 million Imperial Gallons (IG) achieved; total electricity savings of 1.67 million kWh; total diesel savings of 169,000 liters; and total Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) savings of 259,000 liters. Expressing overall energy use in terms of kWh,³ the total energy savings is 5.67 million kWh.     

Prioritizing destination attributes for optimal resource allocation: a study of Chinese tourists visiting Britain

ABSTRACT

This study assesses the importance, performance, and the interrelationships of key destination attributes for marketing managers to prioritize resource allocation. A three-dimensional analysis of importance–performance–impact-analysis (IPIA) factors, based upon a survey sample of 275 Chinese tourists to Britain and an expert panel interview with 10 destination marketing managers is presented. Data analysis was based upon a mix of multi-criteria decision-making methodologies, the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method and the Analytic Network Process (ANP) method. The framework can be applied to prioritize resources allocation to improve customer satisfaction in other contexts, such as a sector or a specific business.     

The Role of Moral Philosophies,Operational Criteria and Operational Strategies in Determining Equitable Allocation of Resources for Leisure Services in the United States

Abstract

This paper revises an earlier taxonomy of equity models that was published in this journal in 1988. This revised taxonomy consists of three elements. First, it extends the original taxonomy by proposing a set of moral philosophies, positioning them as antecedents of the operational strategies that determine equity outcomes. Six are identified: Rawlsian, egalitarianism, benefit principle, utilitarianism, libertarianism and paternal professionalism. It is suggested that communitarianism offers a philosophical basis for reconciling some of the antithetical perspectives embedded in these six moral philosophies. A second element in the taxonomy suggests the operational criterion flowing from each of the moral philosophies when it is adapted as the basis for policy decisions regarding the allocation of resources to leisure services. The third element identifies 14 operational strategies that determine equity outcomes. Their linkage to operational criteria and moral philosophies is shown. Potential equity consequences and implications of the operational strategies are illustrated and compared by use of a scenario relating the allocation of resources to park land acquisition.     

Examining destination images from travel blogs: a big data analytical approach using latent Dirichlet allocation

ABSTRACT

In the big data era, destination images have played an increasingly important role in tourism development. However, seldom tourism research has utilised big data analytics to examine destination images from travel blogs. Therefore, this study proposes and evaluates a big data analytical approach using latent Dirichlet allocation to extract attributes of online destination images from 140,286 travel blogs about 20 cities in China. Results reveal 14 dimensions with 54 attributes of destination images of the studied cities. Interesting findings are discovered between online destination images and tourism cities. This study also summarises the implications for tourism research and practice.     

Exploring the Use of Activity Based Costing in the Restaurant Industry

Abstract

Traditional cost accounting systems have been replaced in recent years in the manufacturing sector by Activity Based Costing (ABC) systems. In spite of this trend in manufacturing, ABC systems have made few inroads in the services and hospitality sector, particularly in the restaurant industry. In this study, restaurant controllers in the United States were surveyed to identify their knowledge about, and use of, ABC systems. The results show that the use of ABC in the restaurant industry is almost non-existent for a variety of reasons. However, restaurants may be an ideal setting for the application of ABC tools due to the inherent characteristics of the industry.     

Investigating Rate Integrity in Convention Cities

Abstract

Yield Management (YM) is the utilization of tactics to align a consumer product within the market for profit maximization. By evaluating how rates are quoted to consumers, the effectiveness of YM tactics can be delineated. This study compared central reservation (CR) telephone and Internet room rates by city. The CR centers for full-service hotels in 19 different cities were contacted by telephone to request a room. The CR rates were compared to rates obtained from the hotels' Internet sites. The data analysis found significant differences in reservation rates by city and by size of the lodging property. Hoteliers can use the information to evaluate the effectiveness of their YM systems.     

How a More Competitive Market Is Influencing Public Investments in Convention Centers

Abstract

This dialectic analysis looks at the strategy of using public money to build and subsidize the operating costs ofconvention centers in light of emerging trends in the U.S. convention market. Among the changes occurring are a dramatic increase in the amount of convention space, the rising costs associated with building and maintaining modern convention facilities, and tighter convention budgets. These trends, along with decision making processes that do not lend themselves to adequate scrutiny, are putting some communities at unnecessary financial risk.     

Company Values and Ethical Leadership

Abstract

Decisions and behaviors are influenced by values. Because people today have differing values, it is necessary for organizations to foster common value systems within their organizations if decisions and behaviors are to be consistent with the objectives of the organizations. This consistency is only possible if the organizations' values are identified, people are hired who are willing and able to embrace the organizations' values, systems of operation support the value systems, and management and staff are trained to honor and follow the rules.     

Cross-Cultural Impact and Learning Needs for Expatriate Hotel Employees in Taiwan Lodging Industry

Abstract

This study investigated specific cross-cultural issues affecting expatriate hotel employees in Taiwan's lodging industry to determine if Cross-Cultural Training (CCT) might help expatriate hotel employees adjust to a new culture and a new business environment. The most formidable task in the human resource area facing many global firms is the development of a cadre of employees and executives who have a deep understanding of the global market environment and the capability to transfer this knowledge into determined action (Pucik, Tichy, & Barnet, 1992). Employees who are expatriates in the hospitality industry are now more important than ever, as more hotel chains are seeking expansion opportunities into overseas markets. However, individuals who are sent overseas without adequate training often fail, and there are significant costs associated with this failure (Li, 1995).

The purpose of CCT is to increase the probability of an individual's adjustment into another culture (Cushner & Brislin, 1995). However, CCT could still be a valuable tool to help expatriates cope with culture shock even though the importance of expatriates being involved in CCT might not be as important as generally thought. Considering the cost, there may be other alternatives to facilitate expatriate adjustment. There does exist an inevitable trend of globalization. Developing coordination, training, and acculturation takes time, effort, and money. Clearly more research is warranted relative to expatriation in the hospitality industry.     

Strategic Management of External Change in NSW Registered Clubs

ABSTRACT

This research examines how clubs strategically manage change resulting from alterations in their external environment. Specifically, this paper aims to investigate the marketing implications of recent legislative change arising from restrictions imposed on advertising and promotion of club gaming in one Australian state, the most populous state of New South Wales (NSW). Managers of three northern NSW clubs situated adjacent to the southern Queensland (QLD) border were interviewed to obtain primary data for this investigation. Results show that legislation restricting gaming advertising, promotion and external signage has caused difficulties in marketing these three clubs whose core product is gaming machines. Short-term results of revised marketing strategies indicate that club member numbers are steady but spending is unpredictable. Visitors are harder to attract, particularly new visitors.     

Locus of Control and Its Role in Determining Student Performance in Food Service Management

Abstract

Locus of control is a significant personality variable in psychology.¹ Some people who feel personally responsible for the things that happen to them are believed to have an internal locus of control. Those who feel that outcomes in life are determined by forces beyond their control are called Externals. In this study, locus of control was found to be a significant predictor of student performance amongst undergraduate students in foodservice management.     

Applying SERVQUAL to Diagnose Hotel Sector in a Tourist Destination

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the feasibility of applying SERVQUAL to measure the quality ofservice provided by the establishments of a tourism subsector (hotels) of a tourist destination (Cantabria, an autonomous region in northern Spain), in order to obtain relevant information for decision-making by those in charge of the tourist administration and industry associations of the region. In the specific case of the subsector we have chosen, the most significant variables for a strategic diagnosis, and which have therefore been incorporated into the analysis, are the legal category of the establishment and the geographical zone where it is located. The results of the study have allowed us to identify the categories of establishments, and the zones which require special attention, as well as the sort of interventions needed.     

Community engagement in drive tourism in Ireland: case study of the Wild Atlantic Way

ABSTRACT

This paper presents research, which investigates community engagement in drive tourism in Ireland. In particular, it focuses on the Wild Atlantic Way (WAW), Ireland’s first long distance drive touring route stretching along the Atlantic coast for 2500?km from Donegal to West Cork. Face-to-face surveys were carried out to obtain a representative sample of community stakeholders along this touring route. The findings provide insight into the level of community engagement with drive tourism on the WAW with a high level of approval for the project but a low level of community integrated involvement with this drive-tourism product. This paper concludes that while there are low levels of community engagement with the WAW, there is a significant level of community support for the development of the WAW. However, to acquire community engagement in tourism development requires sustainable planning to maximize community benefits and minimize community costs thus increasing community participation, which is somewhat lacking.     

The Identification and Implementation of Key Competitive Factors for Tourism Based Firms

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this conceptual paper is to propose means of extending current theoretical approaches to understanding the traveller destination decision process. In order to achieve this, a means of better identifying and implementing strategies within the service system, by utilising a strategic management approach, is proposed. In addition, a number of researchers have argued that service leaders successfully introduce products and services to the market far in advance of customer expectations. It is argued in this paper that such products and services are delivered by innovative organisations, able to assess that the benefits of such innovations will outweigh the costs. The firm attempts to tap “latent” demands that have yet to be fully articulated by the consumer through established expenditure patterns. By tapping into such demands within the consumer psyche, service firms are able to “delight” customers with their creativity and innovation. It is concluded that such a service component has become an integral source for sustainable competitive advantage within a business and strategic planning framework.     

The Relationship Between Corporate Culture and Performance in Bahrain Hotels

Abstract

Research has found that the workplace culture a company establishes is significantly related to its overall performance. In turn, the nature of this relationship provides useful guidance to the design of systems and processes to enhance organizational performance.

However, the past findings from a review of the existing literature are almost exclusively based on companies from Western countries, thus leaving open the question of whether they also would apply to a non-Western context. In addition, prior studies have not specifically examined the existence and nature of the corporate culture-performance relationship in the hospitality sector. The current exploratory study contributes insights into both aspects of the phenomenon by collecting data from hotels in Bahrain. The findings indicate that on the whole, the instrument used by a leading international consulting firm and others to measure corporate culture in Western settings also can distinguish between higher and lower performing Bahrain hotels. However, several relationships that had been found to be significant in Western settings are not significant in this study. Implications of these findings for management are discussed.     

The Measurement of Job Satisfaction

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of various dimensions on job satisfaction, using a sample of Turkish frontline employees in Northern Cyprus hotels as its setting. Results suggest that pay and supervision have significant positive effects on the job satisfaction of frontline employees, whereas the work itself and physical evidence do not have any significant relationship with job satisfaction. The implications of the results for hotel managers and public policy makers are discussed.     

Tourism governance in protected areas: investigating the application of the adaptive co-management approach

Abstract

Protected areas have become popular tourism destinations; yet these areas are often plagued by poor governance systems, particularly in developing countries. Adaptive co-management (ACM) has been advocated as one approach to improve the governance of protected areas, yet empirical evidence from developing countries is lacking. This study investigates the application of the ACM approach in two protected areas in Bangladesh which are also important nature-based tourism destinations. Using Lawachara National Park and Sundarbans East Wildlife Sanctuary as cases, this qualitative study explored the extent to which an ACM approach was able to support the achievement of key governance principles such as participation, accountability, transparency, power, rule of law, and social learning. It was found that the approach was successful in facilitating the increased participation of a broader range of stakeholder groups, and the collaboration between them. Importantly though, it was the adaptive element of ACM which was found to have made the greatest contribution to improved governance with the approach providing new opportunities for stakeholders to engage in iterative learning. This aspect was found to be of particular importance for the sustainability of the protected areas with stakeholders reporting changes attitudes and behaviour towards protected area conservation.     

Establishing academic leadership praxis in sustainable tourism: lessons from the past and bridges to the future

Abstract

This paper examines the potential contribution of academics working in the sustainable tourism arena from a relational, practice-based leadership perspective. It argues that these leadership perspectives require a shift in thinking from narrowly defined, instrumental measures of academic impact imposed by performance management and the somewhat heroic ideals of leadership. Instead it outlines how everyday practice that directly influences collaborative agency among multiple tourism stakeholders is able to provide a more useful direction. To illustrate this perspective, it engages in retrospective reflection, drawing on a number of pioneers in tourism scholarship. It specifically examines their praxis of dialogue, stewardship, and critical reflexivity and the ways in which these may serve to inspire future sustainable tourism education and scholarship.