Green Practices and Competitive Advantage among Tourist Hotels in Nyeri County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2025-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Hotel industry is one of major economic segment to the achievement of the Kenya Vision 2030. The hotel sector in Kenya is a significant contributor of GDP and source of employment to thousands of Kenyans. However, many hotels have relied much on the quality of hotel product and services as an avenue to achieving competitive advantage disregarding the role of environment sustenance and its role in promoting competitive advantage in the hotel sector. The integration of environmental concept to hotel activities is termed as hotel green practices. This study investigated the influence of hotel green practices on competitive advantage of tourist hotels in Nyeri County within Mt Kenya Tourism Circuit. The research employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The target population comprised 50 classified tourism hotels in Nyeri County and 9 government officers from relevant regulatory bodies. Stratified random sampling was used to select hotels, while purposive sampling was applied for government officers. Data collection utilized semi-structured questionnaires for hotel managers and interview schedules for government officers. Primary data analysis combined both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis while quantitative data utilized descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis at 0.05 significance level. The study achieved a reliability coefficient of 0.812 using Cronbach's alpha, indicating high internal consistency of the research instruments. The findings revealed significant positive relationships between green practices and competitive advantage: waste management (β = 0.743, p = 0.000), water management (β = 0.777, p = 0.000), energy conservation (β = 0.838, p = 0.000) and green marketing (β = 0.620, p = 0.000). The regulatory framework demonstrated a partial mediating effect between hotel green practices and competitive advantage. The study recommends that hotels implement integrated waste management systems with digital tracking mechanisms, install smart water metering systems with specific conservation targets, establish renewable energy programs targeting 30% of total energy consumption, and develop strategic green marketing initiatives with measurable environmental performance metrics. For policymakers, the study recommends establishing clear environmental standards with tax incentives for verified achievements. These recommendations aim to enhance both environmental sustainability and competitive advantage in the hotel sector.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Hospitality Management in the School of Business, Economics and Tourism of Kenyatta University, June 2025.
Supervisor
1. Beatrice Kamau
2. Esther Kagure Munyiri