Linking energy and tourism: energy efficiency in hotels of northeast of Mexico

Abstract

The objective of this research is to find common characteristics between hotels that apply energy efficiency and renewable energy measures in the hotel zone of Miramar beach in Tamaulipas. The data was obtained through a poll to hotels in the region studied. The analysis is conducted with the Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) technique, considering different variables, such as the number of stars and the room rates. Results show that hotels with 4 or 5 stars are characterized by implementing more procedures aimed to achieve energy efficiency. Meanwhile, hotels with low stars are characterized by being very heterogeneous in adopting those policies. Keywords: Energy efficiency, Tourism, Hotels. Resumen El objetivo de esta investigacion es encontrar caracteristicas comunes entre los hoteles que aplican medidas de eficiencia energetica y energia renovable en la zona hotelera de la playa Miramar en Tamaulipas. Los datos se obtuvieron a traves de una encuesta a hoteles en la region estudiada. El analisis se realiza con la tecnica de Analisis Cualitativo Comparativo (QCA), considerando diferentes variables, como el numero de estrellas y las tarifas de las habitaciones. Los resultados muestran que los hoteles de 4 o 5 estrellas se caracterizan por implementar mas procedimientos destinados a lograr la eficiencia energetica. Mientras tanto, los hoteles con estrellas bajas se caracterizan por ser muy heterogeneos en la adopcion de esas politicas. Palabras Clave: Eficiencia energetica, turismo, hoteles.