CRITERIA FOR ASSESSING A HOTEL’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITALIZATION

Abstract

This article explores the conceptual and methodological foundations for assessing the sustainable development of hotels in the context of digital transformation. Sustainable development in the hospitality sector implies achieving a balance between financial stability, environmental protection, and social responsibility. At the same time, digital technologies open new opportunities for improving energy efficiency, resource management, service personalization, and operational transparency. The integration of traditional sustainability goals with the innovative capabilities of digital solutions forms a unified approach to evaluating progress. A multidimensional system of sustainability criteria is proposed, grouped into four domains: economic sustainability, ecological sustainability, social sustainability, and technological advancement. The economic dimension includes profitability, operational efficiency, cost reduction through energy-saving solutions, and investments in modernization. The ecological dimension covers indicators such as energy and water consumption per guest, waste recycling rates, use of renewable energy sources, and levels of environmental certification. The social dimension reflects employee satisfaction, guest experience, staff training, inclusion of local communities, and corporate social responsibility. The technological dimension assesses the extent to which digital tools support sustainability goals, including automation of processes, remote monitoring of resource use, digital communication with guests, data analytics, and information security. Current practices in Ukrainian hotels are analyzed, highlighting both positive developments and systemic barriers such as limited funding, outdated infrastructure, lack of knowledge among managers, and insufficient state support. Nevertheless, there are emerging drivers of change, including increasing interest in ecological and innovative services, growing consumer awareness, international cooperation, and postwar reconstruction prospects. The proposed framework enables hotels to conduct sustainability audits, set measurable goals, and monitor improvements. It also allows for benchmarking within the industry and communication of sustainability achievements to stakeholders. This approach contributes to the development of tools for evidence-based management in hospitality and provides directions for future research in the field of green and digital transitions.