Ecological Innovations in Hotel Companies: A Case Study of Poland

Entrepreneurship is one of the key pillars of the modern market economy. The most important attributes of entrepreneurship include innovation. According to many economists, most of the economic growth of developed countries should now be linked to the application and implementation of innovation. Among many types of innovations, ecological innovations (eco-innovations) deserve special attention. Ecological innovations contribute to the reduction of operating costs, increase in competitive advantage and facilitate entry into new markets. At the same time, they have a positive impact on the natural environment. The examples of eco-innovations are also increasingly often found in hotel companies. The aim of the publication is to discuss the current examples of the most significant ecological innovations in hotel enterprises. The article considers the significant impact of ecological innovations on the activities of this type of enterprises. In order to achieve the objectives of the publication, the Polish hotel market was taken into account. The article presents the following research thesis: Environmental innovations are an increasingly important element influencing the operation of hotel enterprises in Poland. However, there is still little awareness of them among guests. The article was written on the basis of books studies, monographs, magazines and netographic information. Methodology of research carried out for the needs of the work. To identify and analyze ecological innovations in hotels in Poland, as well as for the purposes of achieving the goals of the work, two methods of collecting primary research material were used. The first one is based on the analysis of existing data, including the analysis of guest opinions on the booking portal and literary criticism. The second one consisted of a diagnostic survey in which a non-standardized interview was used as a research technique on a deliberately selected group of hotel owners and managers from all over Poland, who have decided to introduce ecological innovations on the premises of their facilities. Interviews were conducted in January-February 2024. The interview did not take into account objects that temporarily suspended their activity. The results of the research positively verify theses.