Key factors influencing the guest loyalty towards green hotels in an island sun and beach destination

Purpose A study was conducted in Gran Canaria to analyse the driving factors that lead to higher loyalty amongst tourists staying in green hotels. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual model was designed to assess whether circular preferences and behaviour amongst guests (at home/in the hotel) and a hotel’s environmental policy affect guest loyalty to green hotels. A survey in hotels collected 211 responses. A new conceptualisation of the loyalty to green hotels construct was defined. Findings The model detects key success predictors and connects them to different measures to improve performance in terms of circular hotel practices. This paper identifies tourist segments with more pro-circular behaviour and the highest loyalty levels to green hotels and uses a multi-group analysis by partial least squares to assess the moderation of control variables for the proposed theoretical model, identifying segments with more pro-circular behaviour and loyalty levels to green hotels. Practical implications This study determines tourism segments with higher loyalty to green hotels by analysing commitment levels across market segments. The findings help eco-friendly hotels design plans to attract and retain guests that are environmentally aware and evaluate their acceptance of circular behaviour. Insights also support revenue strategies to encourage repeat business. Originality/value The study enhances research on tourists’ circular behaviour by focusing on island destinations, bridging a gap from continental studies. It highlights 3R-based practices, explores factors like gender, age, booking channel, board and traveller type that influence pro-circular behaviour and offers insights for destination management organizations and hotel marketers to attract long-term sustainable demand.