THE IMPACT OF GREEN ENERGY & WATER PRACTICES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: A CASE STUDY OF 5-STAR HOTELS IN HURGHADA AND MECCA

This present study examined whether 5-star hotels in Hurghada, Egypt, and Mecca, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) implement green energy and water practices and how they perceive the development of tourism in relation to the adoption of green practices. A qualitative research method was used to examine hotels in Hurghada and Mecca only. The target population of hotel managers, owners, and heads of departments was selected using purposive sampling. The sample size was limited to 10 respondents. The tools and techniques used were focus group discussions (FGDs) and semi-structured interviews (SSIs). The findings indicate that 5-star hotels in Hurghada and Mecca have provided their staff with multiple different training on green practices, displayed signboards, decreased the use of electrical equipment, and transitioned to solar-powered energy systems. They have also installed electricity-saving air conditioning units in their rooms, covered air conditioners, and set the temperature of air conditioners to ambient temperature. Their gardens are cultivated with plants that do not consume water and are watered, if necessary, only at sunset. They also ration their use of water. Guests are also provided with luxury products that are environmentally friendly and do not use plastic packaging. Awareness was found to be the most important factor for the only in hotels but in general.