Consumption, Domination, Destruction: A Qualitative Analysis on the Environmental Impacts of Tourism Hotels

Today, the concept of climate change has evolved into a more critical issue and is increasingly referred to as a “climate crisis” or even “global boiling.” Human activities play a decisive role in this crisis, with individuals and entire sectors contributing significantly. The effects of the climate crisis are particularly evident in the Mediterranean region, where tourism constitutes one of the main economic sectors. In this context, tourism both suffers from and contributes to the crisis. Antalya, one of Turkey’s leading coastal tourism hubs, has long benefited economically from its favourable climate. However, with the shifting realities of climate change, hotel enterprises are now compelled to adapt. Such adaptation requires developing strategic approaches to reduce environmental impacts and implementing sustainability-oriented policies. This study investigates the direct and indirect contributions of well-known hotels in Antalya to the climate crisis. It also examines the extent to which these establishments are aware of their environmental responsibilities and how they translate such awareness into concrete actions. A qualitative research design with an interpretive approach was adopted. Data were collected through in-depth interviews conducted between February 5 and March 4, 2024, with ten five-star hotels in Antalya, including city and resort hotels. The data were analysed using MAXQDA. The findings reveal that the hotel industry contributes to the climate crisis. Excessive energy and water use, along with waste generation, habitat destruction, and unregulated construction, intensify environmental stress and damage ecosystems. Although hotels frequently invoke sustainability discourse, their practices are often limited and superficial. Profit-oriented behaviour undermines local communities, biodiversity, and environmental balance, whereas weak inspections and symbolic environmental policies hinder genuine solutions. The study concludes that hotels must develop serious, collective, and genuine environmental strategies that prioritise responsibility over profit; otherwise, the tourism sector will continue to harm nature and society.