Despite the recent recession, the economic growth of recent decades has created a group of so-called ‘Global-Elites’ (CeMoRe, 2010). Small in number, but high in net worth and influence they are influential in the creation of, and desire for consumption, often portrayed as luxury, privilege, prestige, and 'class'. The tourism industry has also benefited from growth, with demand predicted to double by the year 2020, reaching an estimated $14.95 billion (World Tourism & Travel Council, 2010). Much of this growth has been at the top end, as Keissling et. al. (2009) note an unprecedented rise in demand for the luxury hotel sector over the past decade. The global elite’s leisure consumption practices require considerable research attention, and yet research into luxury services, such as hotels and associated hospitality services, is greatly undeveloped. Atwal and Williams (2008) note the ability of consumption as a means for consumers to make statements about themselves, and nowhere is this more true than in the world of the Global-Elite, who seemingly having no desire to curb current travel activities (Elliott & Urry, 2009). This may be due to the uncertainty that is felt about future travel opportunities, with environmental decline of natural and heritage attractions paralleled by numerous threats to travel such as peak oil and political instability. However, in recent years, there has been increased interest in the study of ethical consumption in the tourism arena (e.g. Novelli, 2005; Sharpley, 2006; Lansing & Vries, 2006; Yeoman et. al., 2006). Although there appears to be incompatibility between the concepts of luxury and concerns around ethical consumption and sustainability, this research posits that while current transitions (around travel and tourism) continue towards further unsustainability (Cohen, 2010), ethical consumption may provide an avenue for social distinction and status differentiation in the world of the Global-Elites. In order to adequately understand the behavioural intentions of the Global-Elites, the synergy between consumer values, luxury dimensions and ethical consumption needs to be explored. This research examines the influence of consumer values, as a more universal measure of intent, in relation to ethical consumption in luxury hotels. This research argues that by reducing the uncertainty related to the degree to which consumers (Global-Elites) value ethical consumption, deeper insights into these apparently incompatible spaces and places for ethical consumption will be obtained. Furthermore, luxury hotels will be able to assess the suitability of marketing and communicating such strategies to their customers.

A elevada competitividade dos dias atuais e a conscientização do consumidor para a qualidade dos produtos delimitam um contexto no qual os edifícios são entendidos como ativos que contribuem para a produtividade das organizações. Entretanto, a concepção dos edifícios nem sempre assegura soluções adequadas ao seu \"uso e operação\", devido à falhas na consideração das reais demandas dos usuáios. O objetivo desta Tese é formular um modelo conceitual para integrar as fases de \"concepção\" e de \"uso e operação\" do edifício por meio do planejamento da qualidade. O edifício do segmento hoteleiro apresenta uma diversidade de componentes, processos e agentes envolvidos em sua produção e operação; complexidade do programa arquitetônico; e papel relevante das atividades de manutenção predial para o desempenho do empreendimento, que justificam sua escolha como objeto da pesquisa. Os métodos de pesquisa envolvem revisão teórica e estudo de caso, a fim de verificar a aplicação prática dos conhecimentos levantados e avaliar o desempenho desses edifícios, com uso da Avaliação Pós-Ocupação, cujos resultados estabelecem a avaliação qualitativa desse desempenho e as prioridades dos usuários quanto a esses requisitos. Com base nas análises realizadas, a Tese é concluída com a elaboração de um modelo para o Planejamento da Qualidade de edifícios hoteleiros aplicado às fases de \"concepção\" e \"uso e operação\", como forma de integrá-las, elevar o desempenho do edifício e a satisfação de seus usuários. / The fierce competition in the market and the alertness of the consumer to the quality of products define a context in which buildings are perceived as assets that contribute to the productivity of organizations. However, the design of buildings does not always ensure solutions that will promote adequacy to their operation, once the real demands of their users tend not to be taken into consideration. The aim of this thesis is to propose conceptual model capable of integrating the building design stage with its operation stage by means of a high quality plan. There is a wide variety of components, processes and players involved in the production and operation of hotel buildings, not to mention the complexity of their architectural program and the relevant role played by building maintenance activities in its performance, aspects which justify the choice of the object of the research. The research methods comprise theoretical revision and case studies in order to establish the practical application of the knowledge acquired and evaluate the performance of these buildings, by means of the Post-Occupation Evaluation, whose results establish the qualitative evaluation of their performance and the priorities of their uses regarding these requisites. Based on the analyses undertaken, the Thesis is concluded with the elaboration of a model for the Quality Planning for hotel buildings applied on design and operation stages, in order to integrate these stages, enhance their performance and promote client satisfaction.

A elevada competitividade dos dias atuais e a conscientização do consumidor para a qualidade dos produtos delimitam um contexto no qual os edifícios são entendidos como ativos que contribuem para a produtividade das organizações. Entretanto, a concepção dos edifícios nem sempre assegura soluções adequadas ao seu \"uso e operação\", devido à falhas na consideração das reais demandas dos usuáios. O objetivo desta Tese é formular um modelo conceitual para integrar as fases de \"concepção\" e de \"uso e operação\" do edifício por meio do planejamento da qualidade. O edifício do segmento hoteleiro apresenta uma diversidade de componentes, processos e agentes envolvidos em sua produção e operação; complexidade do programa arquitetônico; e papel relevante das atividades de manutenção predial para o desempenho do empreendimento, que justificam sua escolha como objeto da pesquisa. Os métodos de pesquisa envolvem revisão teórica e estudo de caso, a fim de verificar a aplicação prática dos conhecimentos levantados e avaliar o desempenho desses edifícios, com uso da Avaliação Pós-Ocupação, cujos resultados estabelecem a avaliação qualitativa desse desempenho e as prioridades dos usuários quanto a esses requisitos. Com base nas análises realizadas, a Tese é concluída com a elaboração de um modelo para o Planejamento da Qualidade de edifícios hoteleiros aplicado às fases de \"concepção\" e \"uso e operação\", como forma de integrá-las, elevar o desempenho do edifício e a satisfação de seus usuários. / The fierce competition in the market and the alertness of the consumer to the quality of products define a context in which buildings are perceived as assets that contribute to the productivity of organizations. However, the design of buildings does not always ensure solutions that will promote adequacy to their operation, once the real demands of their users tend not to be taken into consideration. The aim of this thesis is to propose conceptual model capable of integrating the building design stage with its operation stage by means of a high quality plan. There is a wide variety of components, processes and players involved in the production and operation of hotel buildings, not to mention the complexity of their architectural program and the relevant role played by building maintenance activities in its performance, aspects which justify the choice of the object of the research. The research methods comprise theoretical revision and case studies in order to establish the practical application of the knowledge acquired and evaluate the performance of these buildings, by means of the Post-Occupation Evaluation, whose results establish the qualitative evaluation of their performance and the priorities of their uses regarding these requisites. Based on the analyses undertaken, the Thesis is concluded with the elaboration of a model for the Quality Planning for hotel buildings applied on design and operation stages, in order to integrate these stages, enhance their performance and promote client satisfaction.