I SISTEMI DI GESTIONE AMBIENTALE NELL’INDUSTRIA ALBERGHIERA: UNA REVISIONE SINTETICA DELLA LETTERATURA

In recent years, tourism has experienced continued expansion and diversification to become one of the largest and fastest-growing economic sectors in the world, occupying a prominent role in the European economy. However, the growth of the tourism sector goes hand in hand with its increasing environmental impact. As a result of consumers’ concern toward environmental sustainability, the hospitality industry is developing voluntary-based tools to reduce its environmental impacts and to satisfy the increasing market segment of green customers. In this context, Enviromental Management Systems (EMS) ensure hotel compliance with specific environmental performance criteria and offer a reliable communication to their guests. Together with the ISO 14001:2015 standard, the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is the most widely known third-party certified EMS. This article explores the academic literature and the most recent data on the diffusion of these instruments in the accommodation sector.