Carbon Footprint Management in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry: A Meta-Synthesis Review and Strategic Orientations

Introduction The tourism and hospitality industry, a cornerstone of global economic activity, significantly contributes to cultural exchange, peace, and international development. However, its environmental footprint, particularly its carbon emissions, poses a substantial challenge to sustainability. Responsible for approximately ۸% of global greenhouse gas emissions in ۲۰۱۳, the industry's carbon footprint stems from energy-intensive activities such as transportation, accommodation, and recreational services. The carbon footprint, defined as the total greenhouse gas emissions (primarily CO۲) from direct and indirect activities, serves as a critical metric for assessing the environmental impact of tourism. Key contributors include international air travel, energy consumption in hotels, and local activities like guided tours. Growing concerns over climate change, coupled with international commitments like the Paris Agreement, have elevated the management of carbon footprints to a global priority. This urgency is driven by the industry's direct interaction with ecosystems, increasing consumer demand for sustainable practices, and stringent environmental policies such as ISO ۱۴۰۰۱ standards and green certifications. Despite advancements, the absence of a cohesive framework for carbon footprint management remains a critical gap, necessitating a meta-synthesis approach to integrate existing knowledge and propose comprehensive strategies. This study aims to identify key drivers and themes for managing carbon footprints in tourism and hospitality, drawing on a decade of scholarly research to support sustainable development. Methodology This research adopts an interpretive paradigm, employing a qualitative meta-synthesis approach to synthesize findings from diverse studies. Meta-synthesis, as outlined by Sandelowski and Barroso (۲۰۰۷), integrates qualitative data to generate new conceptual models or theories, offering a comprehensive understanding of complex phenomena. Given the interdisciplinary and multifaceted nature of tourism, this method is particularly suited to capturing varied perspectives on carbon footprint management. The study followed a seven-step meta-synthesis process: formulating research questions, systematically reviewing literature, selecting relevant studies, extracting data, analyzing and synthesizing findings, ensuring quality control, and presenting results. The research population comprised peer-reviewed articles from scientific databases (Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar), identified using keywords such as "Carbon Footprint Management," "Tourism Sustainability," and "Low-Carbon Tourism." From an initial pool of ۳۱۱ articles published between ۲۰۱۰ and ۲۰۲۵, ۶۶ were selected for content analysis based on the PRISMA screening model. Data analysis utilized Strauss-Corbin's three-level coding technique (open, axial, and selective coding) to extract themes, supported by software tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, and MAXQDA ۲۴.۶. The study's reliability and validity were confirmed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist and a Kappa coefficient of ۰.۸۵, ensuring robust findings. Findings and Discussion The meta-synthesis identified four primary drivers for managing carbon footprints in tourism and hospitality: policy and inter-organizational collaboration, carbon reduction strategies, sustainable technologies and innovations, and low-carbon stakeholder and tourist behaviors. Each driver encompasses sub-themes and open codes, supported by empirical evidence. ۱. Policy and Inter-Organizational Collaboration: Effective carbon management requires coordinated policies across local, national, and international levels. For instance, the European Union's green standards aim to reduce carbon emissions by ۵۵% by ۲۰۳۰. Collaboration with global entities like the United Nations World Tourism Organization enhances sustainability standards, while local networks involving businesses and NGOs foster stakeholder engagement. Regulatory frameworks, financial incentives, and green certifications (e.g., ISO ۱۴۰۰۱) are pivotal in driving emission reductions. ۲. Carbon Reduction Strategies: Strategies such as energy optimization (e.g., solar panels reducing fossil fuel use by ۳۰%), waste management (e.g., recycling programs cutting emissions by ۲۰%), and sustainable transportation (e.g., electric vehicles lowering emissions by ۱۵%) have proven effective. Green certifications like Green Key enhance accountability and market competitiveness, though sustained resource commitment is critical for success. ۳. Sustainable Technologies and Innovations: Green infrastructure, such as biofilic hotels and low-energy ventilation systems, boosts carbon absorption by up to ۳۰% in urban destinations. Digital technologies, including IoT and AI, reduce hotel emissions by ۲۵% through smart resource management. Green supply chains, leveraging local sourcing, cut emissions by ۱۵%. However, adoption in developing countries faces financial and infrastructural barriers. ۴. Low-Carbon Stakeholder and Tourist Behaviors: Managerial commitment and employee training reduce waste by ۲۵% in green hotels. Tourists' sustainable choices, such as opting for low-carbon destinations or reducing water use, are influenced by awareness campaigns and digital tools. Incentive programs, like discounts for cycling or staying in eco-lodges, further promote sustainable behaviors. These findings align with prior studies emphasizing regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, and behavioral shifts but uniquely integrate local networks, waste management, and digital tools as critical components. Challenges include high costs, inadequate infrastructure, and stakeholder resistance, particularly in developing nations. Conclusion This meta-synthesis underscores that managing carbon footprints in tourism and hospitality is a multifaceted challenge requiring integrated technological, policy, and behavioral interventions. The proposed three-layer model–encompassing policy, operations, and behavior–synthesizes theories like sustainable tourism development, planned behavior, circular economy, complex adaptive systems, and energy transition to provide a robust framework for future research and practice. Practical recommendations include harmonizing multi-level policies, adopting energy-efficient technologies, and engaging tourists through awareness campaigns. Policymakers should develop cohesive regulations and financial incentives, while industry stakeholders should invest in green infrastructure and certifications. Tourism associations can leverage digital platforms to promote low-carbon destinations. Limitations include a focus on English-language studies, limited access to ۲۰۲۵ publications, and methodological constraints. Future research should explore longitudinal impacts, emerging technologies like blockchain, standardized carbon metrics, and stakeholder engagement in less-developed regions to enhance global sustainability in tourism and hospitality.

Keywords:

Carbon Footprint Management , Tourism and Hospitality Industry , Meta-Synthesis Review , Strategic Orientations