Circular economy as a factor in the sustainability of the tourism sector: A study applied to accommodation and restaurants in the municipality of Setúbal (Portugal)

Abstract

The lack of natural resources in the face of population growth is a serious challenge for today’s societies. The development of circular economy strategies is a possible way forward, also for tourism as one of the main economic activities in the world. Based on the assumption that the circular economy is a factor in the sustainability of the tourism sector, the main objective of this research was to analyse the existence and implementation of circular economy policies in companies/organizations in the Accommodation, Catering and Similar activity segment in the municipality of Setúbal. The specific objectives included identifying the profile of those responsible for these companies/organizations, identifying the profile of these entities, checking whether they have circular economy practices, identifying the motivations that lead their managers to adopt or not adopt these practices, and analyzing what higher education institutions, such as the Instituto Politécnico Setúbal (IPS), can do to help companies/organizations overcome these difficulties and obstacles. For the development of this study, a quantitative approach was used, and the information was obtained through the application of a questionnaire survey to a convenience sample of 200 companies/organizations in the sector in the Municipality of Setúbal, with 45 responses considered valid for statistical treatment using SPSS software. This study has shown that companies/organizations in the Accommodation, Catering and Similar activities segment of the tourism sector in the municipality of Setúbal are gearing their actions towards sustainability, adopting circular economy policies, particularly in some specific aspects such as reducing plastic and using reusable materials, considering cultural, financial, technological and human aspects as those that most influence the adoption of these practices and looking to the IPS as a fundamental partner in terms of awareness and dissemination. Looking at the national picture, it can be concluded that, on the one hand, companies/organizations in the sector and segments considered have already started on the road to sustainability by adopting practices typical of the circular economy, but on the other hand, there is still a long way to go in this area, and that working in partnership between these companies/organizations, educational institutions and local and national authorities is essential.