Evaluating the Consumption of Local Products in Luxury Hotels

Abstract

Hotels are key consumers of products; therefore, they could contribute to the sustainable development of local communities. This research analyses consumption of local primary sector products in four-star and five-star hotels in Tenerife (Spain). In-person questionnaires were completed over a non-probabilistic sample of hotels to collate data with respect to categories of foodstuff consumption. Two indices were designed to this effect, which enabled us to compare the results according to hotel category, occupancy rate, and zone and determine the specific weight of each product category. The study aims to offer a reference tool to local authorities for granting Corporate Social Responsibility awards to luxury hotels as an incentive. Although carried out in Tenerife (Spain), this study is applicable to any tourist destination.

Keywords

• hotel
• consumer index
• local products
• local community
• corporate social responsibility