Tourism-Induced Pollution: Mitigating the Environmental Impact of Travel and Hospitality – A Review

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IJEP 44(15): 1363-1375 : Vol. 44 Issue. 15 (Conference 2024)

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Jayaprakasha K.1*, Sheker Naik1, Vishal1 and Nishu Ayedee2

1. Mangalore University, Department of Business Administration (TTM), Mangaluru – 574 199, Karnataka, India
2. INTI International University, Department of Research, 71800 Nilai, Malaysia

Abstract

The burgeoning intersection of tourism and sustainability has captured the attention of scholars and policymakers alike, reflecting the delicate balance between tourism’s economic advantages and ecological impact. In this regard, this study aims at reviewing the existing literature holistically to provide a profound understanding of sustainable tourism today, with particular focus on environmental aspects. This review also seeks to investigate the barriers hindering implementation of sustainable processes within tourism and hospitality sectors from number of angles by drawing on real-life examples from case studies and attempts to narrate both challenges and mitigation strategies employed. Besides, many recent researches have identified some key areas, such as high energy consumption, water use patterns, waste handling systems, greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions among other things as crucial environmental concerns that need be properly addressed. Additionally, review discusses how leadership plays a critical role in driving sustainability initiatives while policy intervention ensures there is advancement in technological innovation thus transforming society into a more sustainable one for all stakeholders involved. Nonetheless, numerous obstacles persist which include commercial viability thresholds; absence of any collective opinions generated by stakeholders; insufficient regulatory structures; social-cultural resistance; however, if they are eradicated it can enhance diffusion of sustainable practices throughout the industry. Furthermore, this paper provides an insight into some innovative solutions and best practices from various parts of globe that demonstrate how resiliently adaptive the sector can be towards environmental challenges like these ones. This paper contributes significantly to discussions of sustainable tourism by bringing together current knowledge to offer useful suggestions relating overcoming barriers to implementation and future directions for research and practice moving forward. The study concludes by emphasizing that it is imperative to integrate sustainability issues fully into mainstream development policies for long-term survival of global travel industry contributing towards achievement of universal goals concerning environment protection and conservation over time.

Keywords

Tourism-induced pollution, Hospitality sector, Environmental sustainability, Sustainable practices, Greenhouse gas emissions, Eco-friendly tourism, Mitigation strategies

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