Thesis (MTech (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010. / In recent years, the South African hotel industry has experienced increasing demand for hotel's services. At the same time, mounting costs of energy affects energy performance and public image. Energy management is a new approach to address those widespread problems. This study aimed to suggest good management practices and develop a "self-help" approach, to reduce the demand and costs of energy for the South Africa hotel industry. This is expected to result in monetary savings and conservation of energy resources. This has been done by conducting survey within seven selected hotels in Cape Town, metropolitan of South Africa. In addition, through the "self-help" guide, approaches to energy management system are also described, showing the ways for hotels to achieve better energy performance. Potentials for savings from good housekeeping are estimated to 10 - 15%. The "self-help" guide is recommended to be improved through implementation in pilot hotels; and the proposal set of benchmarks need to be different for hotels in different provinces of South Africa considering the differences in climate conditions. The result of this study range from presenting the energy conservation awareness, barriers, method of conservation, financial and institution mechanisms, policy measures, status of energy use and propose strategy to develop a "Self-help" guide for energy management in South African Hotel industry. It has been found that energy monitoring has been done in the South African Cape Town hotels. From the total energy consumed by this industry, electricity accounts 80% of it of which air conditioning takes the biggest share (about 50%) and the remaining for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), diesel and others fuels. In addition, through the "self-help" guide, approaches to energy management system are also described, showing the ways for hotels to achieve better energy performance. Potentials for savings from good housekeeping are estimated to 10 - 15%. The "self-help" guide is recommended to be improved through implementation in pilot hotels; and the proposal set of benchmarks need to be different for hotels in different provinces of South Africa considering the differences in climate conditions.

Prática do turismo em áreas naturais vem se elevando nos últimos anos. Esta atividade vem atraindo um número significativo de visitantes nas regiões detentoras de recursos naturais que antes se deslocavam para localidades litorâneas. A região Amazônica é detentora de imponente floresta e de um grandioso rio, por isso foi a primeira a construir estabelecimentos hoteleiros em áreas naturais. Entretanto, nos últimos anos, novos complexos surgem na região e não se tem conhecimento a respeito se estes hotéis adotam as Ações Estratégicas da Política Nacional de Ecoturismo (EMBRATUR, 1994) que visa garantir às populações locais melhores condições de vida e a manutenção dos recursos naturais. Não se sabe se os estabelecimentos têm características de hotéis lodges ou ecolodges. Nesse sentido o estudo visa a identificar o uso das ações estratégicas nos hotéis de selva como suas características. / The practice of the tourism in natural areas is rising in the last years. This activity is attracting a significant number of visitors in regions with natural resources, that before were dislocated to littoral localities. The Amazon region is the detainer of an imponent forest and a huge river; that is the reason it was the first one to construct hotel establishments in natural areas. However, in the last complex new years they have appeared in the region, and there is no information if these hotels adopt the Strategical Actions of the National Politics of ecoturism (EMBRATUR, 1994), in order to guarantee to the local populations, better conditions of life and the maintenance of the natural resources. It is not known if the establishments have characteristics of hotel lodges or ecolodges. In this case, the research wants to identify the use of the strategical actions in the forest hotels, as its characteristics too.

"The purpose of this study is to determine the factors affecting the selection of a particular lodging establishment in Tallahassee. This study investigates the basic factors affecting the choice between the primary types of lodging establishments--hotels and motels. An attempt is made to find any existing relationship between the various physical, aesthetic, and economic qualities of representative establishments and the income, occupation or profession, education, geographic origin, and other pertinent factors which may be used to classify the different segements of the traveling public. Attitudes and mental associations held by the respondents are studied because 'they tell us not only what people will accept or reject but how something can be presented to them'"--Introduction. / Typescript. / "August, 1957." / "Submitted to the Graduate Council of Florida State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science." / Advisor: J. Frank Dame, Professor Directing Study. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 50-51).

Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / This research aimed to find out if there is a link between government financial assistance to small-scale hotels and their financial performance in Limpopo province, South Africa. The objectives of the study is to examine the impact of government financial assistance on three financial performance measures, namely, sales turnover, net profits and net asset growth of the small scale-hotels. The research used a quantitative approach. Secondary panel data was collected from the financial statements of six small-scale hotels from 2015 to 2018. Data were analyzed using multiple regression model to arrive at the conclusion. The findings from the data analysis reveal that government financial assistance positively and significantly impact the growth in sales turnover and net profits of the small-scale hotels. Furthermore, the findings show that there is no significant relationship between government financial assistance and net asset growth of small scale hotels. The findings of this research have practical implications for the companies operating in the small-scale hotel sector. In addition, the findings of this study is important for the policy makers, as it highlights the policy gaps existing in the sector. The study recommends further research to examine the relationship between government financial assistance to small-scale hotels and their financial performance.

The hospitality industry has experienced significant changes in its competitive environment over the past 30 years, driven by the growth of alternative accommodations, the widespread use of the internet for searching and booking accommodations, and the adoption of asset-light business models. In this new competitive landscape, hospitality firms struggle to gain a competitive advantage, particularly as they lack rare and inimitable resources, which are considered crucial for achieving competitive advantage according to resource-based view literature. This dissertation explores three sets of strategies that enable hotel firms to attain a competitive edge despite their resources being non-rare and easily imitated by competitors. The first essay examines the potential for hotel firms to benefit from competitors' resources by co-locating with them. Although this strategy has been widely studied in organizational research, recent developments in the competitive market, such as internet adoption and the growth of short-term leases, have not been considered. Evidence suggests that internet adoption decreases the likelihood of low-level hotels entering markets with high-level hotels and negatively moderates the positive effect of branded hotels on independent hotels' performance, as well as nullifying the effect of low-level hotels on high-level hotels' performance. Additionally, short-term leases impact hotels' decisions and performance, as hotels tend to avoid co-locating with short-term leases with similar price points, and short-term leases can appropriate positive agglomeration externalities created by high-level hotels. The second essay investigates whether hotels can outperform competitors by gaining an advantage in resource appropriation through entering the market with a dual-branded hotel. Results indicate that a competitive advantage is achieved when at least one brand in the composition possesses better resources than competitors. Lastly, the third essay concentrates on the potential for hotels to leverage tacit knowledge transmission to increase the difficulty for competitors to imitate them. Findings reveal that the closer a hotel or short-term lease is to the nearest accommodation managed by the same hotel management company or host, the higher the chances of achieving a competitive advantage. Moreover, short-term leases can base their competitive advantage on idiosyncratic knowledge transferred from the platform, and they can compete in size with incumbent hotels if they have a high concentration of ownership in the market. / Doctor of Philosophy / The lodging industry has undergone numerous changes in the past 30 years, with the widespread adoption of the internet, the growth of the short-term lease market, and the implementation of asset-light strategies significantly impacting how hotels compete locally. This dissertation examines various market-entry strategies that can enable hotel firms to achieve a competitive advantage in local markets. The first essay explores the advantages of co-locating with competitors. Results indicate that previously identified benefits, such as reduced search costs for customers leading to higher performance for clustered competitors, have been diminished or nullified by the extensive use of the internet for searching and booking hotels. Independent hotels may still gain agglomeration advantages by co-locating with branded hotels, but the benefits are substantially reduced due to internet usage. Furthermore, the presence of different levels of short-term leases in the market affects hotels' entry patterns, which tend to diverge from short-term leases. Additionally, low-level short-term leases tend to capture agglomeration benefits created by high-level hotels, resulting in decreased performance for low-level hotels. The second essay investigates the optimal strategy for entering the market with a dual-branded hotel. Results show that, overall, adopting a vertically diversified strategy (i.e., where one of the two brands in the composition is of a higher class compared to the other) is preferable, with the higher class above the market's average class and the lower class below it. Conversely, the least effective strategy is to adopt a vertically diversified approach where both brands are below the market's average class. The third essay examines knowledge sharing among hotels and short-term leases managed by the same hotel management company or short-term lease host. Findings suggest that accommodations should be located near other properties managed by the same entity to facilitate operating knowledge transmission through face-to-face interactions, coordination among units, and the easy transfer of key personnel. Additionally, the study found that hotels should carefully consider entering a market with a high concentration of short-term lease ownership, as a higher concentration of short-term leases owned by the same host leads to lower hotels' RevPAR in the market.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] La tesis doctoral explora la influencia de los certificados de hoteles ecológicos en las decisiones de compra de los clientes en línea en el contexto del creciente enfoque de la industria hotelera en la sostenibilidad. El estudio tiene como objetivo investigar las actitudes de los clientes hacia los certificados verdes, examinando el conocimiento, la comprensión y la confianza en estas credenciales. También explora si la presencia de certificados verdes afecta las intenciones de los clientes de reservar un hotel y su disposición a pagar una prima por alojamientos respetuosos con el medio ambiente. Además, la investigación busca identificar factores que median o regulan la relación entre los certificados verdes y las decisiones de compra de los clientes, incluidos datos demográficos, creencias ambientales y calificaciones de reseñas en línea. Los hallazgos indican que la conciencia ambiental está impulsando la demanda de productos y servicios ecológicos, y las certificaciones ecológicas son un importante factor de motivación para que los clientes paguen más por alojarse en hoteles ecológicos. Los millennials, en particular, muestran una disposición a pagar más por hoteles que adopten prácticas ecológicas. El estudio también señala una tendencia en la que un porcentaje considerable de viajeros expresa su apoyo a los hoteles ecológicos y está dispuesto a gastar más en alojamientos respetuosos con el medio ambiente. La investigación sugiere que las certificaciones ecológicas, las consideraciones ambientales y la percepción de marca ecológica impactan sustancialmente la satisfacción del consumidor en línea y las decisiones de compra en la industria hotelera. El estudio destaca el impacto positivo de los certificados medioambientales en la decisión de los clientes de elegir hoteles ecológicos. Además, destaca la importancia de la gestión del talento en la industria turística e identifica la discriminación como un factor que influye en los recursos humanos. El análisis bibliométrico y de redes del estudio revela que los certificados ambientales pueden ser una herramienta crucial para promover el turismo sostenible y mitigar el impacto ambiental negativo de la industria. Sin embargo, enfatiza la necesidad de una mayor estandarización y transparencia en el proceso de certificación para mantener la credibilidad y el valor de estos certificados. La investigación concluye destacando la creciente popularidad de los alojamientos ecológicos, y la mayoría de los viajeros de todo el mundo expresan su intención de elegir alojamientos ecológicos. Los consumidores están dispuestos a gastar más en hoteles que cumplen las normas medioambientales, y las certificaciones reconocidas como LEED o Green Key tienen una influencia más significativa en los clientes en comparación con certificaciones menos conocidas o de menor nivel. Las implicaciones del estudio se extienden a la industria del turismo y a las empresas que buscan atraer clientes ambientalmente conscientes, sugiriendo que los hoteles deberían seleccionar cuidadosamente los certificados ambientales y considerar las características demográficas de sus clientes objetivo en los esfuerzos de promoción. Finalmente, sugiere posibles vías para futuras investigaciones, como explorar el impacto de las certificaciones ambientales en la satisfacción y lealtad del cliente en la industria hotelera. / [CA] La tesi doctoral explora la influència dels certificats d'hotels ecològics en les decisions de compra dels clients en línia en el context del creixent enfocament de la indústria hotelera en la sostenibilitat. L'estudi té com a objectiu investigar les actituds dels clients cap als certificats verds, examinant el coneixement, la comprensió i la confiança en aquestes credencials. També explora si la presència de certificats verds afecta les intencions dels clients de reservar un hotel i la seua disposició a pagar una prima per allotjaments respectuosos amb el medi ambient. A més, la investigació busca identificar factors que medien o regulen la relació entre els certificats verds i les decisions de compra dels clients, incloses dades demogràfiques, creences ambientals i qualificacions de ressenyes en línia. Les troballes indiquen que la consciència ambiental està impulsant la demanda de productes i serveis ecològics, i les certificacions ecològiques són un important factor de motivació perquè els clients paguen més per allotjar-se en hotels ecològics. Els *millennials, en particular, mostren una disposició a pagar més per hotels que adopten pràctiques ecològiques. L'estudi també assenyala una tendència en la qual un percentatge considerable de viatgers expressa el seu suport als hotels ecològics i està disposat a gastar més en allotjaments respectuosos amb el medi ambient . La investigació suggereix que les certificacions ecològiques, les consideracions ambientals i la percepció de marca ecològica impacten substancialment la satisfacció del consumidor en línia i les decisions de compra en la indústria hotelera. L'estudi destaca l'impacte positiu dels certificats mediambientals en la decisió dels clients de triar hotels ecològics. A més, destaca la importància de la gestió del talent en la indústria turística i identifica la discriminació com un factor que influeix en els recursos humans. L'anàlisi bibliomètrica i de xarxes de l'estudi revela que els certificats ambientals poden ser una eina crucial per a promoure el turisme sostenible i mitigar l'impacte ambiental negatiu de la indústria. No obstant això, emfatitza la necessitat d'una major estandardització i transparència en el procés de certificació per a mantindre la credibilitat i el valor d'aquests certificats. La investigació conclou destacant la creixent popularitat dels allotjaments ecològics, i la majoria dels viatgers de tot el món expressen la seua intenció de triar allotjaments ecològics. Els consumidors estan disposats a gastar més en hotels que compleixen les normes mediambientals, i les certificacions reconegudes com *LEED o Green *Key tenen una influència més significativa en els clients en comparació amb certificacions menys conegudes o de menor nivell. Les implicacions de l'estudi s'estenen a la indústria del turisme i a les empreses que busquen atraure clients ambientalment conscients, suggerint que els hotels haurien de seleccionar acuradament els certificats ambientals i considerar les característiques demogràfiques dels seus clients objectiu en els esforços de promoció. Finalment, suggereix possibles vies per a futures investigacions, com explorar l'impacte de les certificacions ambientals en la satisfacció i lleialtat del client en la indústria hotelera. / [EN] The PhD thesis explores the influence of green hotel certificates on online customers' purchasing decisions in the context of the hospitality industry's growing focus on sustainability. The study aims to investigate customers' attitudes towards green certificates, examining awareness, comprehension, and trust in these credentials. It also explores whether the presence of green certificates affects customers' intentions to book a hotel and their willingness to pay a premium for environmentally friendly accommodations. Additionally, the research seeks to identify factors that mediate or regulate the relationship between green certificates and customers' purchasing decisions, including demographics, environmental beliefs, and online review ratings. The findings indicate that environmental awareness is driving a demand for green products and services, and eco-certifications are a significant motivating factor for customers to pay extra for staying in green hotels. Millennials, in particular, show a willingness to pay more for hotels adopting green practices. The study also notes a trend where a considerable percentage of travelers express support for green hotels and are willing to spend more on environmentally friendly accommodations. The research suggests that green certifications, environmental considerations, and green brand perception substantially impact online consumer satisfaction and purchasing decisions in the hotel industry. The study emphasizes the positive impact of environmental certificates on customers' decisions to choose green hotels. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of talent management in the tourism industry and identifies discrimination as a factor influencing human resources. The study's bibliometric and network analysis reveals that environmental certificates can be a crucial tool for promoting sustainable tourism and mitigating the industry's negative environmental impact. However, it emphasizes the need for greater standardization and transparency in the certification process to maintain the credibility and value of these certificates. The research concludes by stressing the increasing popularity of green lodging, with a majority of global travelers expressing an intention to choose eco-friendly accommodations. Consumers are willing to spend extra on hotels that adhere to environmental rules, and recognized certifications like LEED or Green Key have a more significant influence on customers compared to less-known or lower-standard certifications. The study's implications extend to the tourism industry and businesses aiming to attract environmentally conscious customers, suggesting that hotels should carefully select environmental certificates and consider the demographic characteristics of their target customers in promotional efforts. Finally, it suggests potential avenues for future research, such as exploring the impact of environmental certifications on customer satisfaction and loyalty in the hotel industry. / Qubbaj, AIS. (2024). The Effect of Environmental Certificates for Hotels on the Purchasing Decision of Online Customers [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/204631 / Compendio

The sharing economy is the private redistribution of goods via peer-to-peer sharing. Since internet use has saturated the U.S., the sharing economy has become widely internet-based. Airbnb, a website and app that facilitates the short-term rental of space to stay in another person’s home, has become a major component of the sharing economy. This study includes an empirical analysis of the hotel occupancy rates in two major markets, San Francisco and Chicago, and how they have or have not changed, from the 2008 launch of Airbnb through the end of 2014. The study hypothesizes that Airbnb has had a statistically significant negative impact on the hotel occupancy rate. The results serve as empirical evidence that Airbnb’s introduction has had an insignificant impact on San Francisco hotel occupancy rates, but may have had a marginally significant negative impact on Chicago hotel occupancy rates. Major reasons why most travelers have not substituted Airbnb for hotel accommodations include the fact that nearly half of those traveling in the United States are traveling for work, Airbnb’s lack of amenities that many business travelers demand, and the absence of an Airbnb loyalty program that is similar to what many hotels have.

There is evidence that hotels are the highest energy use buildings of the tertiary sector in Europe and internationally because of their operational characteristics and the large number of users. Therefore, there is potential for significant energy savings. This study investigated the energy performance of the hotel sector in Greece and proposes a methodology for their energy classification and climate change mitigation strategies for an optimum building envelope design for a typical hotel building operated all year or seasonally. This was achieved by collecting operational energy data for 90 Greek hotels and analyzing them using the k-means algorithm. Then a typical hotel building was modelled using TRNSYS and climate change weather files to assess the impact on its energy demand and to propose climate change mitigation strategies. The assessment was performed via hourly simulations with real climatic data for the past and generated future data for the years 2020, 2050 and 2080. The analysis of the energy data (based on utilities supply) of 90 hotels shows average consumption approx 290 kWh/m2/year for hotels with annual operation and 200 kWh/m2/year for hotels with seasonal operation. Furthermore, the hotels were classified in well separated clusters in terms of their electricity and oil consumption. The classification showed that each cluster has high average energy consumption compared to other buildings in Greece. Cooling energy demand of the typical building increased by 33% and heating energy demand decreased by 22% in 2010 compared to 1970. Cooling load is expected to rise by 15% in year 2020, 34% in year 2050 and 63% in year 2080 compared to year 1970. Heating load is expected to decrease by 14% in year 2020, 29% in year 2050 and 46% in year 2080. It was found that different strategies can be applied to all year and seasonally operated buildings for the most energy efficient performance. These include: a. For all year operated buildings: insulation, double low e glazing, intelligently controlled night and day ventilation, ceiling fans and shading. The building of year 2050 would need more shading and the building of year 2080 would need additional shading and cool materials. b. For seasonally operated buildings: Intelligently controlled night and day ventilation, cool materials, ceiling fans, shading and double low e glazing. Only the building of year 2080 would need insulation. This study makes a contribution to understanding the impact of the climate change on the energy demand of hotel buildings and proposes mitigation strategies that focus on the building envelope in different periods and climatic zones of Greece.

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management