Identifying Critical Success Factors Influencing Sustainable Hotel Building Practices: A Qualitative Content Analysis

The hospitality industry faces a growing pressure to adopt sustainable building practices (SBP’s) due to environmental concerns, government regulatory conditions and evolving guest expectations. Whiles the benefits of sustainability are largely recognized and accepted, the implementation with regards to hotel buildings remains challenging. The purpose of this study is to identify the critical success factor (CFS’s) essential for effectively integrating SBP into hotel structure development and major renovation works. This study employs qualitative content analysis to identify the critical success factors (CFS’s) essential for effectively integrating SBP’s into hotel structure development and major renovation works. Analyzing 43 peer – reviewed articles and industry reports published between 2010 and 2024, the study reveal a complex interplay of 12 key CSFs categorized within four major thematic areas: Strategic and organizational commitment (Top Management Vision and Support, Sustainability Policy Integration, Stakeholder collaboration), Financial and Resource Management (Life Cycle Cost, Green Finance, Expertise and Knowledge), Project Management and Design (Integrating Design Process, Effective Project Management) and External Drivers (Supporting Regulatory Framework, Market Demand and Guest Awareness, Supply Chain Engagement). By shedding light on the success factors in this domain, this research contributes valuable insights to practitioners, policymakers, and researchers seeking to advance sustainable development within the hospitality sector and recommendations for fostering a more sustainable approach to hotel building practices. This will ultimately contribute to the industry’s environmental stewardship and long-term resilience.