Evaluation of Hotel Supply Under Sustainability Criteria in Isabela Island – Galápagos

Abstract

Hotel sustainability constitutes a strategic component of tourism management in protected territories such as the canton of Isabela, given the need to balance economic development, social responsibility, and environmental conservation. The objective of this research was to evaluate the level of sustainability of the formal hotel supply in the territory, defining as evaluation indicators waste management, the use of clean energy, local purchasing, the hotel–community relationship, and fair employment practices. The study was conducted under a quantitative, descriptive approach through the application of a structured Likert-scale survey addressed to managers and employees of the four hotel establishments that make up the entire formal hotel supply of the canton. The instrument was designed based on the guidelines of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), and the data obtained were processed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed a high level of compliance with social and economic indicators, specifying that 91% and 94% of the establishments prioritize local purchasing, the generation of fair employment, and positive engagement with the community, while 75% promote inclusive practices and the training of local staff. However, significant weaknesses were identified in the environmental dimension, since although 100% of the establishments comply with regulations on waste and wastewater management, only 16% incorporate clean energy sources and 72% apply systematic resource-saving measures, indicating that hotel sustainability is partial and presents gaps that require strategies aimed at strengthening the destination’s overall sustainability.