The Role of Global Hotel Chains in Mitigating Light Pollution: An Analysis of Corporate Strategies and Regulatory Approaches

Despite ecological evidence demonstrating the harmful impacts of light pollution (LP) and the tangible economic benefits associated with implementing “dark-sky-friendly” technological policies, there is still a lack of analyses examining how the hospitality industry approaches artificial light at night (ALAN) mitigation within the framework of corporate sustainability strategies. The aims of this article are (a) to determine whether the issue of LP and the principles of sustainable lighting design are addressed in the strategic documents of the three largest international hotel chains (Marriott International, Jin Jiang International, and Hilton Worldwide) and (b) to assess to what extent and with what level of specificity these issues are discussed compared to other categories of environmental impact. The study is based on a content analysis of official ESG strategies, reports, and internal operational guidelines (n = 6) of selected globally operating hotel brands. Additionally, the analysed documents were compared with the guidelines of global organisations combating LP and certifying accommodation facilities (Dark Sky International and the Starlight Foundation). The results indicate that ALAN-related issues are largely absent from the examined documents, and references to lighting focus primarily on energy efficiency. These findings suggest that leading hotel chains should strategically integrate LP mitigation into their ESG frameworks—by adopting measurable standards aligned with international guidelines—to strengthen environmental credibility and reduce ecological risk exposure.