SETTING STANDARDS FOR GREEN: AN ANALYSIS OF TAIWAN GREEN HOTEL RATING PROGRAM

Abstract

This study first focuses on Taiwan's newly implemented green hotel evaluation scheme, the "Regulatory Standards for Accrediting Green Hotels" and introduces the latest advancement and development in the field. Then, we compare this program with 7 well-known green hotel rating programs. Similar to other programs, Taiwanese is also strong in environmental protection. However, there are two significant differences of Taiwan's rating program: certification not by NGO, and no symbolized rating sign. No matter what kind of rating programs, the results of this study show that almost all of the rating programs' criteria get very little involvement in ecological conservation, so we suggest that rating programs would be made more effective by adding factors of ecological conservation. Surveys should also be conducted on an ongoing basis to clarify and incorporate ecological viewpoints and to keep green hotel rating systems updated. These measures should also enhance the hotel buildings being compatible with the local environment, and the concept of food miles.