Throughout its history, the tourism sector has always been open to innovation, to putting the results of research and development into practice. adaptation of the results of research and development. This openness is due, among other things, to the recognition, always timely, that travellers using services expect at least as much, but typically more, from a service than from a tourist. and comfort conditions of a tourist destination than of their own place of residence. This, together with the need for economic and environmental efficiency, is a constant driving force for tourism operators. The need for change has recently developed along three lines: rationalising energy use, promoting a culture of conservation and increasing the use of renewable green energy sources.
Europe is currently experiencing an energy crisis, and one of the most vulnerable segments in this respect is tourism, as tourist attractions and accommodation facilities are in most of the cases energy intensive. Promoting the use of renewable green energy is essential for the survival of tourism operators. Increased energy costs are currently the highest cost component in the day-to-day operations of tourism operators. It should be added that tourists can also be more wasteful on holiday than they are at home. A change of attitude is clearly needed in this area too.
Replacing conventional (mostly fossil) resources with renewable green energy sources can make a major contribution to reducing the high overheads mentioned above. It is recommended that these energy sources be used as widely as possible, in a complex and complementary way. For example, the electrical energy demand of a geothermal heat pump used for cooling or heating can be met by using a solar system.
Stakeholders in the use of green energy in tourism sector:
- Tourism operators: they are the primary stakeholders. They can save significant costs by making the necessary investments. This will help them to maintain their operations, offer their services at competitive prices and reach a new, environmentally aware clientele.
- Local communities: local communities also benefit from being able to offer environmentally friendly tourism services. With less environmental impact, a significant economic stimulus can be expected.
- Policy makers: their role is always important in these cases. They may often have to take less popular decisions at the outset, but in the longer term they can only benefit from creating an environmentally sustainable tourism environment.
- The local population: always involved in tourism. Their lives are shaped by local tourism operators and tourists. It is often a considerable burden. But beyond this, the use of green energy in the sector can also make their lives more comfortable and sustainable. It should be mentioned here that the survival of tourism services always means the survival of local jobs.
- Tourists: of course, they are not to be left out of the stakeholders. By using green energies, they can enjoy a better tourist experience at a lower cost, and their attitudes can be positively influenced by these investments as well.
