Evaluation of the Environmental Management Practices of Small Hotels and Guesthouses in Calabar, Cross River State

This study evaluates the environmental management practices of small hotels and guesthouses operating in Calabar, Cross River State, South South Nigeria, in the context of the city's tourism promotion agenda and its reputation as a clean and orderly Nigerian city. The hospitality sector generates environmental impacts through water consumption, energy use, solid waste generation, and wastewater discharge, and the capacity of small establishments to manage these impacts sustainably has implications for both environmental quality and the tourism destination's sustainability credentials. Environmental management audits were conducted at twenty small and medium hospitality establishments in Calabar Municipality, assessing energy conservation practices, water management systems, waste segregation and disposal, effluent management, and the presence of any formal environmental management policies or certifications. Structured interviews with owners or managers explored awareness of environmental management standards, motivations for or against sustainability investments, and knowledge of regulatory requirements. Results show considerable variability across assessed establishments. Water conservation measures, including low-flow fixtures, are present in only six establishments. Waste segregation is practised at four establishments. Effluent management relies predominantly on shared septic tanks in 80 percent of cases. No establishment holds any formal environmental certification. Owners frequently cite the cost of sustainable technology and absence of regulatory pressure as the primary barriers to improved environmental management. The study concludes that market differentiation through environmental performance has not yet emerged as a driver in Calabar's small hospitality sector. Recommendations include a Cross River Tourism Authority green hospitality certification scheme with targeted support for small establishments. Keywords: hospitality industry, environmental management, Calabar, small hotels, sustainable tourism.