CREATING A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN AN INDEPENDENT HOTEL, HURGHADA, THE RED SEA

Abstract This research tackled a problem concerning hoteliers in Egypt. Their main priority is generating income from foreign currency and job creation, instead of implementing or understanding sustainable development in their operations. The research was limited to small and independent hotels' adoption of sustainable development practices in their functions and activities. This study examined how small and independent hotels in the Red Sea could implement environmentally sustainable practices in hotel operation. The conceptual framework consisted of sustainable development in hospitality and hotels theories and stakeholder and corporate social responsibility perspectives. The research aimed to create a sustainable and environmental development strategy in Hurghada independent hotel in the Red Sea. The research objectives were to identify the critical sustainable development principles in hospitality operation in the Red Sea, and their benefits for the hotels and apply them into hotels operations. The research method of the study was participatory action research supplemented by a qualitative approach incorporating observation, semi-structured interviews. Findings revealed that there were limited sustainable practices in hotel operations. The high cost of implementation was the main element for lack of sustainable practices in independent hotels, and there was a need for government financial and education assistance, expert’s advice and hotel associations guidelines. The success of this study could contribute to the adoption of practices by hoteliers and policymakers in their effort towards sustainable development functions