SUSTAINABLE HOSPITALITY PRACTICES: COMPARING ECO-RESORTS IN THE CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS VS. COX'S BAZAR

Sustainable hospitality is now a key element of environmentally sustainable tourism development, particularly in environmentally sensitive locations. Sustainable hospitality practices in two of Bangladesh's major tourist destinations, the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Cox's Bazar, are explored and compared in this paper. Drawing on a qualitative comparative case study approach, data were collected by in-depth interviews with resort managers and employees, supplemented by field observations and documentary analysis. The study highlights that while both the destinations have embraced eco-friendly approaches such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, and host community engagement, the practice and issues are altogether different. Eco-resorts in Chittagong Hill Tracts focus more on cultural integration and community engagement, whereas the ones in Cox's Bazar focus more on operational sustainability and marketing green credentials. Geographical constraints, visitor sensitivity, and policy stimulus were the major impetuses behind the pursuit of sustainability. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on sustainable hospitality in developing countries and makes pragmatic suggestions for managers of eco-resorts and policy makers concerned with tourism in Bangladesh to improve environmental performance and community impacts.