Environmental Management:

Perceptions about Environmental Sustainability in Hosting Media of the Charming Routes Network

Abstract

Faced with increased environmental awareness and a consumer public that increasingly seeks enterprises that share the values of sustainability, Environmental Management Systems (EMS) were created to improve the relationship between economic sectors and the environment. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate perceptions and practices linked to environmental sustainability in accommodation facilities linked to the Roteiros de Charme Hotel Network. It is characterized as an exploratory-descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Two hotels located in different tourist destinations in the Brazilian Northeast (Tibau do Sul/RN and Fortim/CE) were analyzed. To achieve the objective, interviews were carried out with the managers of the accommodation facilities. The research findings demonstrated satisfactory knowledge and adherence to environmental management technologies and practices. The main practices adopted were selective collection and disposal for recycling of dry solid waste, processing of organic waste through vermicomposting, cleaning of the seafront, treatment and reuse in the use of water, adoption of devices to reduce water and energy waste and installation of generating sources. Regarding the use of technology, technological devices are used to increase the efficiency and optimization of environmental management, directly influencing the reduction of operational costs and the quality of service provided to guests. It is concluded that hotels, as they are linked to a network that values sustainability, need to experience a constant process of improvements and adoption of responsible socio-environmental practices.