The integration of green solutions into hospitality managements: An analysis on certi-fication and demand with respect to a sample case

Due to social and physical environmental unsustainability of fossil based fuel, mankind diverted focus on new energy sources. Smart buildings and renewable energy technolo-gies are crucial in reducing dependency on fossil fuel. Utilization of these "Green Solu-tions" by hospitality enterprises are essential in elevating the tourism industry to an envi-ronment-friendly level as well as supporting the perception of sustainable tourism. This study consists of five sections. First section focuses on the relationship between fossil energy and environment, second section relationship between renewable energy and en-vironment, third section Smart Building applications, fourth section examines the certifi-cate programs for environment friendly tourism entities from a sustainability perspective. Fifth and last section contains study method and findings. Yeşil Yıldız is the name for the certificate that is given by Republic Of Turkey Ministry Of Culture and Tourism to those hotels of high energy productivity as well as sustaina-bility. As a part of research, hotels with Yeşil Yıldız and people with Yeşil Yıldız exper-tise are asked to perform a review. Through a survey that consists of a range of other certificates, environmentally-friendliness of hotels of Yeşil Yıldız are compared to hotels from several countries from European Union, which also achieved environmentally-friendliness awards. Conclusion of the comparison shows no relative distinction between two groups. At the later stages of the study, perception of tourists about Yeşil Yıldız and Renewable Energy Technologies have been researched. Substantially, findings show that, Tourists have no knowladge about Yeşil Yıldız, but they partially support Renewable Energy In-vestments. World's very first hotel that runs by 100% renewable energy has been visited and the president of Austria Hoteliers Federation, the owner as well as the marketing manager of the hotel have been interviewed, the investment and implementation processes have been analyzed to the conclusion that it is not possible for a hotel to run 100% on renew-able energy only without cutting down on its service, however there is no obstacle to the integration of "Green Solutions" into hotel operations. Keywords: Tourism, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Tourism, Yeşil Yıldız, Hotels, Energy Efficiency, Green Solutions