Circularity & Waste Theatre

The Pathway of Environmental Sustainability in the Hotel Industry

12 Sep (Fri) Day 2 : 10:45 – 11:25

Full Programme
Circularity & Waste Theatre

This session will introduce a practical framework leading to effective environmental sustainability management in hotels and share the implementation experience in China and beyond. As sustainability becomes an increasingly critical priority for the hospitality industry, understanding how to integrate eco-friendly practices into daily operations is essential for long-term success. In this session, participants will gain insights into a step-by-step approach designed to help hotels minimize their environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. Drawing on real-world examples from leading hotels from across the region, we will explore the challenges faced, solutions implemented, and measurable outcomes achieved throughout the journey toward sustainability. Attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss best practices, innovative technologies, and collaborative strategies that can be adapted to different market contexts. Whether you are looking to start your sustainability journey or enhance your current initiatives, this session will provide actionable guidance and inspiration to drive meaningful change within your organization.

Learnings

  • Learn a step-by-step framework for sustainable hotel operations.
  • Explore real-world case studies and solutions from leading hotels in China and the region.
  • Discover best practices and technologies for sustainability in diverse markets.

Post-event Actions

  • Reflect on the adoption of the practical framework as a self-monitoring tool for your business to improve environmental sustainability management.
  • Attend seminars on digital transformation for business sustainability for tourism and hospitality SMEs.
  • Engage in the National Green Hotel evaluation organized by the China Hospitality Association annually.

Speakers

Elisa Chan

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Assistant Professor

Elisa Chan (PhD) is an Assistant Professor in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management and the Associate Director at the Centre for Hospitality and Real Estate Research (CHRER) at CUHK Business School. Prior to joining CUHK, Elisa worked at the EHL Hospitality Business School (Switzerland) and the New York Institute of Technology (Canada) where she taught the undergraduate and master’s programmes. She also conducted executive trainings for hospitality companies, including Nespresso (Switzerland), Beijing Tourism Group (China), and Terme e Grandi Alberghi Sirmion (Italy). Moreover, she worked on various research and capstone projects with Moncierge (US), Statler Hotel (US), STR Global (US), HSMAI (US), Caran d’ache (Switzerland), Royal Savoy Hotels (Switzerland), Hilton Worldwide (UK), and SHARC Energy Systems (Canada). Like many others, Elisa has prioritized sustainability in her work and her current research focuses on sustainable tourism and hospitality. She also oversees the Greater China Hotel Business Sustainability Index (Hotel BSI) for the Centre for Hospitality and Real Estate Research (CHRER).

Speaking at:

Day 2

The Pathway of Environmental Sustainability in the Hotel Industry

Dan Wang

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Professor

Prof. Dan Wang has been recognized for her impactful research and leadership in academia and industry in tourism and hospitality management. Prof. Wang’s research focuses on digital transformation in tourism, technology adoption, and social media marketing within the hospitality industry. Her work also explores hotel environmental management practices and their sustainability implications. Prof. Wang has also shaped public policies on hotel environmental management in Hong Kong and Mainland China by working with the China Hospitality Association and the Hong Kong Hotel Association. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, including 33 in top-tier journals, 49 conference papers, and seven book chapters. Her research has garnered over 9,000 citations, with an h-index of 35 and an i10-index of 46. Prof. Dan Wang was listed as one of the top 2% of scientists worldwide in the Economics & Business field (Sport, Leisure, & Tourism subfield) in the latest report released by Stanford University. Prof. Wang’s leadership extends to her role as Associate Director of the Research Center for Digital Transformation of Tourism at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Speaking at:

Day 2

The Pathway of Environmental Sustainability in the Hotel Industry

Supported by