Innovation as a Tool for Sustainable Development of the Hotel Industry

Innovation can be considered a tool for achieving a balance between economic efficiency, social responsibility and environmental safety of the hotel. The integration of innovative technologies facilitates the optimisation of resource utilisation, enhancement of customer service quality, and mitigation of environmental impact. The objective of the present study is threefold: firstly, to highlight and systematise the main environmental innovations used in the hotel industry; secondly, to determine the principles of the hotel industry in the context of sustainable development; and thirdly, to identify measures to improve the implementation of environmental innovations in hotels. In order to achieve this objective, an analysis was conducted of the areas of influence of the hotel sector on the environment. The following principles were identified as being key to the sustainable development of the hotel industry: environmental responsibility; energy and resource efficiency; social responsibility; innovation; economic sustainability; responsible consumption and production; continuous improvement; and education. The ways in which the hotel industry is becoming more environmentally friendly are revealed, including the introduction of automated hotel management systems, mobile applications, the Internet of Things, energy-saving technologies, water-saving technologies, waste reduction and innovations in the food sector. Information is also provided about green hotels and environmental certification systems. The main obstacles to implementing environmental innovations have been identified as high financial costs, resistance to change and a lack of preparedness among hotel management, staff and clients. There is also imperfect state support. The following measures have been revealed to improve the implementation of environmental innovations in hotels: organisational and managerial; educational and informational; financial and economic; technical and technological; marketing; monitoring and improvement. Introducing environmental innovations into hotel practices will contribute to greener activities and increase economic efficiency and the quality of services while promoting social responsibility.