GREEN HOSPITALITY IN GALIYAT KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PAKISTAN: A QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT

Abstract

Green hospitality has come to forefront in the tourism destinations due to the dependence of hospitality operations on natural resources and its ability to increase environmental pressure. This is particularly the case in mountainous areas where water resources, forests, biodiversity, waste-management and infrastructure are sensitive to the environment. The current study examines green hospitality practices in Galiyat, KP, Pakistan, and views of the stakeholders in tourism and hospitality industry. The study is based on qualitative research design, e semi-structured interviews were conducted with hotel manager, tour operators and officials of the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA). The questions were used to investigate the current green practices, environmental issues, obstacles to the practice, institutional support, and collaboration between stakeholders. The interview data were analyzed thematically and resulted in seven themes. The results indicate that certain green practices are already in place, such as energy-efficient lighting, use of solar energy, less plastic consumption, recycling of towel and linen, waste segregation, use of biodegradable products, and use of local materials, but these are in limited use and not even distributed. The primary challenges include financial limitations, high implementation costs, low awareness, lack of training, infrastructure constraints, resource limitations and poor policy implementation. The Galiyat Development Authority is identified as a key institutional player in the implementation of cleanliness drives, awareness campaigns, waste management, and environmental regulations, however, needs to be more effective and efficient in implementation and coordination. The study explored that green hospitality is taking its shape in Galiyat; however, a more systematic and coordinated approach is needed at the destination level including the cooperation of the tourism stakeholders, the local community, the government, and the hotels.