Sustainable Hospitality Management: Practices, Challenges, and Strategies for Global Operations

Abstract

Purpose: This paper examines sustainable hospitality management practices, challenges, and strategic approaches in global operations, emphasizing ESG frameworks, smart tourism technologies, and post-pandemic operational strategies.
Design/Methodology/Approach: A systematic literature review was conducted on 85 peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2025. A structured search strategy, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and selection process were applied. The process is illustrated with a PRISMA flow diagram.
Findings: The study finds that while energy efficiency, waste reduction, and community engagement are widely adopted, barriers persist in standardization, stakeholder alignment, and technology integration. Strategic approaches incorporating ESG, smart technologies, and post-pandemic resilience improve sustainability outcomes.
Practical Implications: The findings provide insights for hospitality managers and policymakers seeking to implement sustainable practices, improve ESG adoption, and leverage technology for operational efficiency.
Originality/Value: This paper presents a rigorous synthesis of recent literature on sustainable hospitality, integrates emerging trends such as smart tourism and post-pandemic strategies, and provides a conceptual framework for global operations.