Energy Use and Its Key Factors in Hotel Chains

Hotel chains are reported as one of the most energy-intensive sectors and a growing number of international studies on this theme have been developed. This research aims to understand energy use and some of its key factors in hotel chains worldwide. Data were collected on variables related to previous research and those present in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework. The sample was composed by 45 international hotel chains, representing more than 54,000 properties and 7,500,000 rooms. Multiple linear regression was employed to assess how the predictor variables (water use, carbon intensity, RevPAR, and NetRoom) are associated with energy use (dependent variable). It was presented that hotel chains can pass on the price of energy consumption to their guests, increasing their revenue per available room (RevPAR), but the returns in profitability are not being generated. The RevPAR variable maintained a positive relationship, +0.244, with energy use in the first regression model, with R-2 adjusted equal to 0.9506, while the net profit per room (NetRoom) presented a negative relationship in both models, -0.0006 and -0.0010, respectively, with R-2 adjusted equal to 0.9304 in the second model. Investing in updating their energy systems, hotel chains can contribute to a more sustainable future, build positive marketing, retain guests, and generate a long-run financial return. This research contributes to the scientific literature by confirming relationships and providing evidence among new, and not yet explored, variables. It is expected to create a reference for policies to reduce energy use in hotels and for hotel owners to upgrade their systems.