How do green hotel practices affect guests' behavioral intentions? A PLS-SEM approach

This study examines how guests' perceptions of green hotel practices (GHP) shape their behavioral intentions, drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior. It explores the extent to which eco-friendly practices influence guests' loyalty and their likelihood of recommending hotels that prioritize sustainability. Data were collected from 642 hotel guests aged 18 and over who had previous experience with green hotel practices. An online survey was employed, and the data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with bootstrapping techniques to assess the relationships among guests' perceptions of GHP, satisfaction, and behavioral outcomes. The findings indicate that favorable perceptions of GHP strongly predict guest loyalty and recommendation intentions, with satisfaction as a critical mediator. These results highlight the pivotal role of sustainable practices in fostering positive guest experiences and behaviors in the hospitality industry. The study offers practical insights for hotel managers, enabling them to design and implement effective sustainability strategies that enhance guest satisfaction and loyalty. Furthermore, it contributes to the literature on sustainable tourism by providing robust empirical evidence on the influence of GHP on guest behavior, thus addressing a key gap in hospitality management research.