University of Arkansas Study Finds Consumers Prefer 'Green' Hotels

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A University of Arkansas study of consumer attitudes about environmentally sustainable, or "green," hotels earned the 2011 Excellence in Research Award from the Resort and Commercial Recreation Association. The award was presented to Godwin-Charles Ogbeide, assistant professor of hospitality and restaurant management.

The award was based on a peer review of abstracts of research papers presented at the RCRA Research Symposium in November in Farmington, Pa. Ogbeide's study found that a majority of consumers considered "going green" an important factor in their hotel choice and that they would be willing to pay more for accommodations with an emphasis on environmental sustainability.

Ogbeide's research results are reported in a paper, "Perceptions of Green Hotels in the 21st Century," which has been accepted for publication in a future issue of the Journal of Tourism Insights.

In addition to his research, Ogbeide teaches courses for the food, human nutrition and hospitality major in the School of Human Environmental Sciences, which is part of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas.