Environmental Management Practices in Heritage Tourism:The Cases of Penang and Malacca

Studies of environmental management practices (EMP) in the hotel sector often overlook hotels within World Heritage Sites boundaries, especially in the growing tourism markets of Southeast Asia. This study aims at filling this gap by examining EMP adopted by hotels in George Town (Penang) and Malacca, Malaysia through a new taxonomy of EMP and determinants. Results show that there are systematic differences between different types of EMP: in the type of hotels that adopt them, and in their determinants. Despite regulations to limit them, budget hotels, which adopt significantly less EMP prevail in both sites. In other small and medium hotels, individual values, learning attitude, and information sources and exchange become pivotal factors to overcome financial and institutional barriers to adopt EMP. Results show that customer demand is a negative influence, due to the guests’ low environmental awareness. The local context in which the hotel functions is crucial to determine the actors that influence the hotel.

About the Speaker:

Angela Tritto (Ph.D., City University of Hong Kong), is a Postdoctoral Fellow at IEMS working on a research project on the Belt and Road Initiative in Southeast Asia funded by Hong Kong SAR government. Currently, she has completed a case study on the Belt and Road in Indonesia, and is conducting further research on Malaysia and Myanmar. Her research interests include management of innovation, environmental policies and technologies, heritage management, and sustainable development. She is interested in developing tools to blend conservation and environmental management for both the public and private sector. Her past publications include a paper on eco-innovations in Jiuzhaigou National Park, a book chapter on collaborations in the management of George Town World Heritage Site, and a short contribution for an upcoming UNESCO WHITRAP publication.