An Analysis of Blue Economy Practice Implementation in International Hotel Chains

This study aims to analyze the implementation of Blue Economy practices within five international hotel chains: Marriott International, Hilton International, AccorHotels, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. A qualitative descriptive approach was used, with data collected through document studies focusing on sustainability reports, journals/scientific articles. The researcher applied purposive sampling based on three criteria to have relevan and representative samples. The analysis was structured using Triple Bottom Line framework, which evaluates sustainability through three aspects: planet, people, and profit. The findings indicate that all five hotel chains have effectively adopted Blue Economy principles through various programs, such as marine conservation, coastal community empowerment, sustainable seafood sourcing, resource efficiency, and environmentally driven innovation. These practices not only enhance corporate reputation and brand image but also generate social and economic value for communities. The study reinforces the relevance of legitimacy theory and stakeholder theory in the context of the global hospitality industry, where sustainability is increasingly recognized as a long-term strategic imperative. Future research could explore comparative case studies between hotel chains and local independent hotels, incorporate primary data through interviews with sustainability managers, or assess the long-term impact of Blue Economy initiatives on coastal biodiversity and community resilience.