How are luxury hotels turning the page from opulence to sustainability?

: the case of three portuguese hotels

Abstract

This research aims to contribute to the debate about sustainability in the industry of luxury hospitality, by answering the following research question: how are luxury hotels turning the page from opulence to sustainability? To answer this research question, we used a qualitative approach and conducted a comparative case study on three luxury hotels in Portugal which are committed to deliver a sustainable experience without compromising the guest’s expectations. The findings show that it is possible to combine the two concepts and be successful by implementing five strategies: sourcing locally, favouring sustainable construction, having a biological garden, meeting the luxury standards regarding the hotel’s commodities and being located in the countryside without compromising comfort. Although it requires an investment, the study shows it is worth taking.

Date of Award	13 Oct 2020
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Laure Leglise (Supervisor)