Progress with the implementation of Green Procurement Practises (GPP) in the hotel industry — the South African experience
Abstract
There is an increasing interest in how businesses and service providers impact on the environment and society while positively contributing to the economy of a country. Green procurement practises provide a means for a business and services provider to include social and environmental aspects into the decision-making tool, while contributing positively to the supply chain. The central theme of green procurement practises is sustainability. In undeveloped countries such as South Africa, the use of green procurement practises is still relatively low. One of the biggest contributors to the South African economy is the tourism industry, which has seen significant growth over the last twenty (20) years, especially within the hotel sector. However, tourism and especially the accommodation sector have significant socio-economic and environmental impacts. Very few studies have critically examined the hotel sector with regards to progress in terms of green procurement practises since the release of the "Responsible Tourism Guidelines" in 2002. This study aims to address this. The research question put forward was to determine "What is the progress with the implementation of green procurement practises in the South African hotel industry?" The primary data was collected by means of a semi-structured interview that was conducted either face-to-face, telephonically or, where the interviewee preferred it, by means of a questionnaire with twenty (20) four and five star hotels located in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Secondary data was collected through the search of literature related to green procurement practises, as well as the use of integrated reports of hotel groups and stand-alone hotels present in South Africa. The main findings of the study indicated that the participants have an understanding of the concepts of sustainable / responsible tourism practises and green procurement. Furthermore, positive progress has been made with regards to social actions and the implementation of initiatives that reduce environmental impacts of the hotels. Although positive progress has been made with regards to the implementation of green procurement practises in the South African hotel sector, since the implementation of the "Responsible Tourism Guidelines in 2002," very few of the participants have formal green procurement policies in place. Various drivers and barriers to the implementation of green procurement practises were identified. The study, therefore, concludes that there is a wide opportunity for growth with regards to the implementation of green procurement practises in the South African hotel sector.