Corporate Social Responsibility in Hospitality and Tourism Industries

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in hospitality and tourism encompasses voluntary actions by firms to manage their social, environmental and economic impacts. In an industry that directly interacts with communities, ecosystems and diverse stakeholders, CSR serves both as a strategic tool and an ethical imperative. Research has examined CSR’s influence on financial metrics such as market value, revenue per available room and profitability, alongside non-financial outcomes including customer satisfaction, employee engagement and community wellbeing. Scholars have explored theoretical lenses—stakeholder theory, legitimacy theory and the triple bottom line—to explain how CSR initiatives build brand equity, foster trust and mitigate reputational risks. Methodological advances range from systematic literature reviews and mixed-methods studies to large-scale panel data analyses. Regional and sectoral comparisons reveal that while mature markets increasingly integrate ESG frameworks and sustainability reporting, emerging economies still face challenges in measurement consistency and stakeholder alignment. Practical applications encompass environmental stewardship programmes, inclusive tourism development, community partnerships and transparent disclosure practices. As the sector grapples with climate change, social equity and post-pandemic recovery, CSR research highlights pathways for resilient and responsible growth globally.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Corporate Social Responsibility in Hospitality and Tourism Industries publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in corporate social responsibility in hospitality and tourism industries across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Voluntary corporate initiatives to manage social, environmental and economic impacts beyond legal requirements.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) pillars: Framework evaluating a company’s environmental stewardship, social responsibility and governance practices.

Triple Bottom Line: Business model balancing three performance dimensions—profit, people and planet—to achieve sustainable development.

Sustainability Reporting: Public disclosure of non-financial performance related to environmental, social and governance outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement: Processes by which organisations involve and respond to individuals or groups affected by corporate actions.

References

1. CSR, financial and non-financial performance in the tourism sector: A systematic literature review and future research agenda. International Review of Financial Analysis (2023).
2. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and hospitality sector: Charting new frontiers for restaurant businesses. Journal of Business Research (2022).
3. Sustainability reporting in the airline industry: Current literature and future research avenues. Transportation Research Part D Transport and Environment (2022).