Sustainability Practices, Opportunities, and Challenges of Hospitality Industry in the New Normal

Abstract

This descriptive correlational research explored the sustainability practices, opportunities and challenges, of the hospitality industry during the new normal in the Province of Negros Occidental, Philippines, for the year 2023. Respondents were selected using quota sampling, considering variables such as age, sex, civil status, educational attainment, years in the industry, area of assignment, and hotel classification. Using non-parametric statistics, findings indicated that respondents, primarily aged 40 and below, male, with bachelor's degrees, and 4 to 6 years in the industry, showed consistently very desirable sustainability practices, greatest opportunities, and great challenged. Noteworthy sustainability practices included high energy conservation but lower scores for providing comfort and enjoyment. Despite demographic variations, respondents demonstrated very desirable in sustainability practices, greatest opportunities, and greatest challenged. Moreover, demographic factors showed no significant effect on sustainability practices, opportunities, and challenges, suggesting stability and standardization in the industry's response to the new normal. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive associations among sustainable practices, opportunities, and challenges, underscoring the need for a strategic approach to balance these elements in the evolving hospitality landscape.