Green Hotels Implications: a Research on 3, 4 and 5 Stars Hotels in Canakkale City Center

Abstract

Nowadays, companies no matter what industry realize that they can not sustain their companies life without having environmental sensitivity. For instance, the largest food company in Germany Hlipp which produces baby foods, % 70 of inputs are ecological. Moreover, the biggest grocery store group in England Tesco sell green products in 145 of their 600 stores (Ekinci;2007;76). Also, international accommodation companies in service industry such Four Seasons, Best Western, Ibis Hotels protect to environment thanks to using renewable energy resources. Besides they also save to money in their business activities. So companies suppose to consider environment effects of their activities and add them to their strategic plans. That kind of environment activities and marketing strategy that to take note of environment implications are called 'green marketing’.

Defined as environmentally-sensitive marketing, green marketing is applied as a green hotel by accommodation establishments, and as a result of this application, hotels are entitled to be awarded a green star certificate. While those international hotel establishments which have become a brand are carrying out important activities with respect to the green hotel practice, it might be stated that hotels in Turkey are at the beginning level concerning sensitivity to the environment. In the study, the literature on subject was examined and focused on given practices of 3,4 and 5 stars hotels in Canakkale city center. Indeed, their attitudes and perceptions were tried to determine with deeply interview method.

Finally, the study indicates that the hotels in Canakkale are sensitive especially about energy management. But this sensitivity is not motivated by given hotel policy, it is motivated by high energy costs. On the other hand, other given hotel (environment-friendly hotel) practices of the hotels are inadequate, yet.