Abstract

The study focused on the influence of eco-friendly practices on guests’ choice of hotel in Umuahia metropolis. The objectives of the study are: to identity the dimensions of eco-friendly practices applicable in hotel operation, to determine guest perception on the applied eco-friendly practices in hotel operation, to examine the effect of eco-friendly practices on customer patronage in hotel operations, to determine the effect of eco-friendly practices on hotel performance and to identify the challenges of adopting eco-friendly practices in hotel operations. To achieve the objectives of the study, survey research design was adopted. The researcher adopted primary data in getting the required information through the use of structured questionnaire. The population of study is all guests of 10 registered hotels in Umuahia, Abia State. The sample size of the study is 196 using infinite formula. In analysis the data, descriptive statistics was used. The findings revealed that (i) energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling, clean air and waste management are the dimension of eco-friendly practices applicable in hotel operations (ii) guests are satisfied with the level of energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling method, clean air and waste management in hotels (iii) eco-friendly practices has a significant effect on customer patronage in hotels (iv)eco –friendly practices has a significant effect on hotel performance (v)lack of universal acceptable definition of eco-friendly practices, doubt of financial impact, high consumption of water, high consumption of energy and decreasing service standard. The study recommends that hotels should maintain eco-friendly practices and apply eco-friendly practices in order to increase customer patronage and enhance hotel performance. Also, hotels establishments should maintain energy efficiency and water conservation at all times. This will help in attracting customer and retaining the existing customers.