Redefining sustainability in the hospitality sector. The Case of Madeira Island

Abstract

Despite recognizing that the Hotel Industry has been one of the main sectors in adopting initiatives within the scope of the Circular Economy (C.E.), it is common knowledge that Hotel Units generate significant amounts of waste, often avoidable waste, with records very far of EU waste reference values that point to a target of 0.6 kg per guest/night. Much of this waste is treated as garbage when it could be reused, either by the hotels themselves or by other users.
The recurring scarcity of certain resources and products, added to the risk in the climate and environmental sphere, means that the planning, management and control of the quality of ecosystems will be as detailed and efficient as possible. The Autonomous Region of Madeira (RAM), as an isolated territory with scarce resources, has among its priorities understanding the fragility of island ecosystems, which tend to be highly sensitive and exposed to external risks and threats.
Considering the economic dependence of the tourism sector, the aim is to adopt more sustainable and efficient models. Based on responses from around 1000 questionnaires, collected on Madeira Island, attitudes, practices, concerns and degree of acceptance of measures to be implemented at the level of the destination and the hotel establishment were identified. In an exercise centered on data, and in an objective statistical treatment of the same, it is concluded that adopting the “CE” paradigm implies sacrifices (changing ingrained habits, reducing the consumption of certain resources), redefining expectations and accessing different experiences, more sustainable and less user of scarce resources. The study offers some notes for reflection, namely what type of cooperation and synergies can be developed with other sectors and interested parties, suggesting a path towards a resilient and sustainable tourism ecosystem.