Qeios PEER-APPROVED v1: 23 January 2025 Case Report Sustainability in the Hotel Sector: A Research Study in Greece Peer-approved: 23 January 2025 © The Author(s) 2024. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license. Qeios, Vol. 7 (2025) ISSN: 2632-3834 Akrivi Vagena 1 1. Department of Business Administration and Tourism, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Greece Tourism is an essential economic sector in Greece, contributing over 25% to its GDP. The hotel sector is a signicant component of the tourism industry, which plays also a vital role in the economy of Greece. However, its environmental impact—manifesting through high energy usage, water consumption, and waste generation—poses signicant challenges. This study explores sustainable practices within Greek hotels, emphasizing the adoption of circular economy principles, green certications, and guest engagement strategies. Using case studies, published data from surveys, and policy analysis, the study identies barriers such as nancial limitations and infrastructural gaps. The methodology combines detailed analysis of ve case studies, a survey of 200 hotel managers, and policy analysis to assess the barriers and opportunities for sustainability. Key barriers, such as nancial constraints and infrastructural gaps, were identied through stakeholder surveys and policy evaluations. These obstacles signicantly impact the sector's ability to implement green practices, particularly in energy-intensive operations and waste management. Recommendations include nancial incentives, region-specic policies, and advanced technological solutions. By addressing these barriers, the study aligns with global frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specically SDG 7 (Aordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Key ndings include the critical role of tailored regional policies, the impact of nancial incentives on sustainability adoption, and the necessity for advanced technological solutions in addressing infrastructure deciencies. These contributions underscore the transformative potential of embedding sustainability into the hotel sector and highlight Greece's potential to become a leader in global sustainable tourism. Introduction Sustainability in the hotel sector encompasses various practices aimed at minimizing environmental impact while maximizing economic and social benets. In Greece, where tourism is a key economic driver, the adoption of sustainable practices is crucial not only for environmental preservation but also for enhancing competitiveness in a crowded market. Global trends increasingly emphasize the necessity of sustainable development, with the hospitality industry evolving to reect these priorities. The unique geographic and cultural context of Greece qeios.com doi.org/10.32388/MTACGZ.3 1