Energy Consumption Intensity Indicators and Sustainability Benchmarking in the Hotel Industry: Perceptions of Stakeholders in the DACH Region

Current legislation mandates that some parts of the European hotel industry implement intensity metrics and benchmarking systems to monitor its environmental impact for non-financial reporting purposes. Comprehending and optimizing resource consumption is crucial for enhancing sustainability and boosting operational efficiency. This research aims to develop intensity indicators to measure energy consumption relevant to the hotel industry and create a framework for efficient benchmarking clusters. Using a qualitative research approach, 16 semi-structured interviews with four stakeholder groups from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH) are conducted to gain in-depth insights from different perspectives. Grounded Theory and content analysis serve as a methodology for data analysis. The results show that (i) hospitality stakeholders in the DACH region have limited knowledge about sustainability reporting, (ii) generating intensity indicators are suitable to quantify and compare energy consumption, (iii) the primary energy consumption in kWh must be measured, (iv) collecting per floor area as well as an occupant-related variable is necessary when performing energy consumption audits. Consequently, the intensity metrics Energy Use Intensity (EUI), Energy Use per Guest Night (EUPGN), and Energy Use per Net Revenue (EUPR) are formulated. Furthermore, (v) operational and physical determinants significantly influence energy consumption and must be differentiated for efficient benchmarking. Further scientific research is required to develop a regulatory-compliant reporting framework that defines and audits supplementary input factors related to energy use. Moreover, conducting quantitative benchmarking audits in less-studied areas, such as Central Europe, may enhance global comparability and identify new opportunities for energy savings.