Green Sustainability Certifications, Challenges, options, and opportunities for Hospitality businesses in India and Sri Lanka

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6463-799-1_15How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Eco-labeling; Environmental and Social Impacts; Green Certifications; Greenwashing; Sustainable Tourism

Abstract

Sustainable tourism and hospitality are no longer just buzzwords; they have become integral components of the modern hospitality industry. Whether for small independent establishments or large hotel chains, adopting sustainable practices is essential for long-term success and global betterment. Green sustainability certifications play a crucial role in driving operational improvements, providing a competitive advantage, and enhancing the reputation of hotels, resorts, and hospitality businesses worldwide. India and Sri Lanka, two prominent tourism destinations in South Asia, are pursuing unique yet converging paths toward achieving green sustainability certifications in the hospitality sector. This qualitative study utilized a desk review to gather secondary data from academic and industry sources. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews with academics, certification bodies, hoteliers, and tourism officials. The data was then analyzed using content analysis to identify key themes related to green certification adoption and its impact on the hospitality industry. This paper provides valuable insights into the green certification landscape of India and Sri Lanka, offering a comparative analysis that benefits academics, researchers, and hospitality practitioners. By understanding the dynamics of sustainability certifications and eco-labeling, stakeholders can navigate the complexities of implementing green initiatives and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the tourism and hospitality industries. The paper supports in providing what is to done for the future, considering that, western nations are adopting and adhering to norms, and failing which the stakeholders will be the ones who will lose out in the hospitality business. This research paper explores the role of eco-labeling in promoting sustainable tourism and the opportunities it presents for the hospitality industry in both India and Sri Lanka. The study examines the current state of sustainability certification, the roles of governments, industry stakeholders, and certifying organizations, as well as the broader environmental, social, cultural, economic, and political impacts of green certifications. India’s tourism and hospitality sector faces unique challenges due to its federal governance structure, where tourism policies are primarily determined at the state level. The involvement of multiple stakeholders results in varying levels of sustainability adoption across different regions. In contrast, Sri Lanka follows a more centralized approach to tourism governance, which may facilitate policy implementation but also poses challenges in ensuring compliance at the grassroots level. Despite these structural differences, both countries share a common objective - advancing sustainable hospitality practices to create a more responsible and environmentally conscious tourism industry.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - M. Freeda Maria Swarna
AU  - Athula Gnanapala
AU  - Shaheed Khan
AU  - Chinthana Duminduhewa
AU  - Mahadevan Parasuraman
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/08/13
TI  - Green Sustainability Certifications, Challenges, options, and opportunities for Hospitality businesses in India and Sri Lanka
BT  - Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Innovation and Regenerative Trends in Tourism and Hospitality Industry (IRTTHI 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 158
EP  - 170
SN  - 2352-5428
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-799-1_15
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-799-1_15
ID  - Swarna2025
ER  -