The tourism sharing economy and sustainability in developing countries : contribution to SDGs in the hospitality sector

Abstract: The tourism sharing economy applies the latest technological applications to monetize excess capacity and to provide ease of access to tourism resources. This concept is premised on the idea of collaborative consumption which emphasizes the importance of access rather than ownership. Homestays through Peer to Peer (P2P) and Business to Consumer (B2C) platforms are on the rise in the global tourism industry and the impacts of this phenomenon on sustainability are significant. In this era of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) it becomes important for accommodation providers to leverage off business models that contribute to sustainability. This study is based on a review of literature and addresses how the hospitality sector in developing countries can leverage on the sharing economy to contribute to the achievement of SDGs. The findings suggest that the sharing economy is still in its infancy in sub-Saharan African countries. The extant literature points to the fact that accommodation sharing can contribute to eight of the SDGs, namely 1, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 16

Exhibitors’ perception of the 2017 Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo

Abstract: The event management (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry has been booming of late (Lim and Zhu, 2018) and recording high growths rates over a number of years, as tourism players are prioritizing the product as a way to diversify their tourism offerings. The study consequently sought to explore exhibitors’ perceptions of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo 2017. The study purposively sampled 60 respondents from a population of 340 exhibitors who attended the event at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The study found that exhibitors perceived Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo 2017 to be an important tourism event that brings considerable benefits to participants. The perception that exhibitors place on the event was determined by the quality of staff brought to the stand, the geographical dispersion of exhibitors from the venue, the amount of money spend on the exhibition, the number of times exhibitors have participated at previous editions as well as the diversity of sectors exhibiting at Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo 2017. The study also unearthed challenges faced by exhibitors such a poor information dissemination, poor time management, booth management, slow internet connectivity and challenges in accessing the venue among others. The study concluded that the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo was perceived to be a highly beneficial event and well worth the attendance of exhibitors

Sustainability Drivers and Challenges in the Hospitality Sector in Zimbabwe

The hospitality industry is one component of tourism that has adopted sustainable tourism principles. However, limited knowledge exists about what motivates hospitality establishments to adopt sustainable practices and the barriers they face, especially in the Global South. The purpose of this study is to analyze the drivers and challenges of the implementation of sustainability in the hospitality sector. The research investigated 125 hospitality establishments from different tourist locations in Zimbabwe using proportional stratified random sampling. In addition, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents from each hospitality establishment. The findings revealed that the main drivers of sustainability practices include regulatory compliance, improving the organization’s reputation, new market opportunities and professional ethics. On the other hand, the hospitality sector\u27s significant challenges in adopting sustainability principles include employees, managers, and customers\u27 lack of knowledge and negative attitude. This study adds to the growing body of literature on sustainability in the hospitality sector in the resource-constrained environments of the Global South

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND BENEFITS IN THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR OF ZIMBABWE

A vibrant international literature exists around the sustainable practices adopted by accommodation service establishments in the Global North. Literature on sustainability practices by the hospitality sector in the Global South, particularly Southern Africa is still limited. The central aim in this study was to identify the sustainable practices adopted by hospitality establishments in Zimbabwe and to ascertain the advantages of adopting such practices. The research involved a structured questionnaire administered to 125 respondents of hotels, lodges and guest houses. Data analysis involved the application of chi-squared tests to determine the differences in sustainable practices by hotels, lodges and guest houses and an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) undertaken to analyse the benefits of sustainable practices. The findings revealed that practices that result in regulatory compliance and those that can be adopted at a lower cost are most popular in the hospitality sector of Zimbabwe. Three factors were generated from the EFA, namely (1) operations management, (2) partnership and inclusive development, and (3) environmental management. Overall, the research contributes to the limited literature on destinations in the Global South concerning sustainable practices pursued by the hospitality industry

WEBSITE DISCLOSURES OF SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES IN THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR: AN ANALYSIS OF HOTEL CHAINS IN ZIMBABWE

Purpose - The aim of this study was to analyse website disclosures of sustainability practices by major hotel chains in Zimbabwe. Design - Five major hotel chains in Zimbabwe were purposively selected for this study. The corporate websites of the selected hospitality chains were visited to determine their disclosure of sustainability practices. Methods - Based on the literature and other global best practices in hospitality sustainability, a coding framework was developed to help identify what to look for on the corporate websites. The codes were categorised into four broad areas, namely sustainability leadership, environmental sustainability, social sustainability and economic sustainability. Data were collected from texts, annual reports, and other relevant website materials documenting sustainable practices of each hotel chain. Results - The analysis of website disclosures of sustainable practices adopted by Zimbabwe\u27s five major hotel chains revealed that sustainability practices are not widely publicised. The available information on websites visited indicated more reporting of social sustainability issues and a fair amount of reporting on environmental sustainability. Economic sustainability is the least reported. Also notable is the low level of reporting on the SDGs and the lack of separate sustainability reports on the corporate websites surveyed. Originality - The results of this study provide a critical indication of how voluntary website disclosure can be improved in the absence of a strong legal framework

COVID-19, Domestic tourism and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Zimbabwe

This study aims to determine the role of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in rejuvenating domestic tourism in the context of suppressed international tourism demand. The current study is premised on the thinking that COVID-19 has changed the way countries do tourism and domestic tourism is now recognised for its ability to help the recovery of the tourism industry post-COVID-19. The infusion of IKS in tourism strategies is seen as important in encouraging locals to visit destinations within their countries. The study is based on a review of the literature on the nexus between indigenous knowledge systems, domestic tourism and COVID-19. The study contributes to the existing literature on domestic tourism by suggesting possible solutions to the industry based on IKS. In light of recent COVID-19 events in the tourism industry at large, it is becoming extremely difficult to ignore the importance of domestic markets

Community perceptions on the benefits and challenges of community-based natural resources management in Zimbabwe

Abstract Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) emphasises the role and benefits of local communities in order to promote a sustainable utilisation of natural resources. This study aims to identify and analyse the locally perceived benefits and challenges of CBNRM practices in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. A specific focus is on Communal Area Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE), which has faced challenges due to changes in the political and economic environment in the country. The findings based on a household survey from three wards adjacent to Hwange National Park suggest that community members have negative perceptions on CAMPFIRE largely due to their non-involvement in the decision-making and management of the natural resources. The community members do expect to gain benefits from CAMPFIRE but they do not perceive and experience receiving any. Therefore, they consider facing mainly challenges from the Park, emanating from the current inefficiencies of CAMPFIRE

Sustainable practices and benefits in the hospitality sector of Zimbabwe

Abstract A vibrant international literature exists around the sustainable practices adopted by accommodation service establishments in the Global North. Literature on sustainability practices by the hospitality sector in the Global South, particularly Southern Africa is still limited. The central aim in this study was to identify the sustainable practices adopted by hospitality establishments in Zimbabwe and to ascertain the advantages of adopting such practices. The research involved a structured questionnaire administered to 125 respondents of hotels, lodges and guest houses. Data analysis involved the application of chi-squared tests to determine the differences in sustainable practices by hotels, lodges and guest houses and an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) undertaken to analyse the benefits of sustainable practices. The findings revealed that practices that result in regulatory compliance and those that can be adopted at a lower cost are most popular in the hospitality sector of Zimbabwe. Three factors were generated from the EFA, namely (1) operations management, (2) partnership and inclusive development, and (3) environmental management. Overall, the research contributes to the limited literature on destinations in the Global South concerning sustainable practices pursued by the hospitality industry

Website disclosures of sustainability practices in the hospitality sector:an analysis of hotel chains in Zimbabwe

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyse website disclosures of sustainability practices by major hotel chains in Zimbabwe. Design: Five major hotel chains in Zimbabwe were purposively selected for this study. The corporate websites of the selected hospitality chains were visited to determine their disclosure of sustainability practices. Methods: Based on the literature and other global best practices in hospitality sustainability, a coding framework was developed to help identify what to look for on the corporate websites. The codes were categorised into four broad areas, namely sustainability leadership, environmental sustainability, social sustainability and economic sustainability. Data were collected from texts, annual reports, and other relevant website materials documenting sustainable practices of each hotel chain. Results: The analysis of website disclosures of sustainable practices adopted by Zimbabwe’s five major hotel chains revealed that sustainability practices are not widely publicised. The available information on websites visited indicated more reporting of social sustainability issues and a fair amount of reporting on environmental sustainability. Economic sustainability is the least reported. Also notable is the low level of reporting on the SDGs and the lack of separate sustainability reports on the corporate websites surveyed. Originality: The results of this study provide a critical indication of how voluntary website disclosure can be improved in the absence of a strong legal framework

Sustainability drivers and challenges in the hospitality sector in Zimbabwe

Abstract The hospitality industry is one component of tourism that has adopted sustainable tourism principles. However, limited knowledge exists about what motivates hospitality establishments to adopt sustainable practices and the barriers they face, especially in the Global South. The purpose of this study is to analyze the drivers and challenges of the implementation of sustainability in the hospitality sector. The research investigated 125 hospitality establishments from different tourist locations in Zimbabwe using proportional stratified random sampling. In addition, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents from each hospitality establishment. The findings revealed that the main drivers of sustainability practices include regulatory compliance, improving the organization’s reputation, new market opportunities and professional ethics. On the other hand, the hospitality sector’s significant challenges in adopting sustainability principles include employees, managers, and customers’ lack of knowledge and negative attitude. This study adds to the growing body of literature on sustainability in the hospitality sector in the resource-constrained environments of the Global South