Investigating Energy Issues in Dominica's Accommodations

Abstract

In light of global climate change, issues of energy consumption in the international tourism industry have been receiving increased attention. Although the transport sector of the industry is the largest consumer of energy, the accommodation sector has been identified as an area in which improvements in the type and quantity of energy used could be made. This article presents the results of a first-stage research project which sought to investigate the issues associated with energy consumption and the strategies utilized in the accommodation sector on the Caribbean island of Dominica primarily through in-depth interviews with operators. The findings of the project indicate that, while operators are interested in, and motivated by, environmental sustainability and maintaining the island's reputation as a green destination, this does not always translate into action for a number of reasons, the most significant of which is the cost of energy.