The effect of interventions on the environmental behaviour of Australian motel guests

This article reports on a pilot research project carried out to examine the effects of different interventions on the environmental behaviour of guests at motels in Victoria, Australia. The aim of the research was to test the influence of different in-room messages on the towel reuse behaviour of guests. Four different messages were used, representing information only information plus request, information plus descriptive norm and information plus incentive. Results of the study showed high levels of towel reuse and that providing information (either alone, or in conjunction with a request) acted as a prompt to encourage guests to reuse their towels. Further analysis of the results suggests that the role of habit may be the strongest influence on guests reuse of towels. Implications for the hospitality industry are discussed, and suggestions for further research avenues proposed