Influence of Hotel Waste Management Practices on Competitive Advantage of Tourist Hotels in Nyeri County Within Mt Kenya Tourism Circuit
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t30119Abstract
The hotels located within the Mt Kenya Tourism Circuit, which encompasses Nyeri, Laikipia, and Nyandarua Counties, play a crucial role in generating local revenue and providing employment opportunities. However, there have been concerns regarding the diminishing competitiveness of these hotels, as seen by the decline in room occupancy rates and income. The identified substandard waste management techniques in these organizations may serve as a contributing-factor to this drop. The region's inadequate waste management, excessive water usage, and significant energy consumption have been subjects of examination and have prompted inquiries about the level of implementation of environmentally friendly practices in hotels. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of hotel waste management practices on the competitive advantage of tourist hotels in Nyeri County within Mt Kenya Tourism Circuit. The study used a cross-sectional survey to examine 136 middle-level managers from 57 hotels in Nyeri County, Kenya, representing about 33% of the target population. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found a strong correlation between effective waste management and increased competitive advantage for tourist hotels on the Mt. Kenya Tourism Circuit. Statistical analysis and interviews refuted the null hypothesis, confirming that improving waste management directly boosts competitiveness. The high response rate of 88.97% lends credibility to these findings, which are also consistent with previous research advocating for environmentally friendly business practices. The study concluded that the effective waste management is a key driver of competitive advantage for tourist hotels in the Mt. Kenya Tourism Circuit. The study recommended that Tourism Circuit should adopt modern waste management technologies, train staff in sustainability, and educate customers on their eco-friendly practices.
Keywords: Hotel, Waste Management Practices, Competitive Advantage, Tourist Hotels, Circuit
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