Switching off for the planet: ‘surface mimicry’ and energy saving practices in peer-to-peer accommodation

The introduction of novel energy-saving practices for the peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation sector is a key factor in reducing the effects of greenhouse gas emissions in tourism and hospitality. "Surface mimicry" is an alternative visual intervention that may prove to be effective in saving energy in the P2P accommodation locations. Through the use of three scenario-based experiments, this study was able to validate the main effect of surface mimicry on the property-mapping mindset of guests (i.e. their beliefs around energy-saving) and their intentions to switch off lights. The serially mediating effects of guests' attitudes towards P2P accommodation were also authenticated. This solution-oriented yet theoretically-driven study contributes to the literature on hospitality and pro-environmental behaviour by examining the causal impacts of surface mimicry on guests' property-mapping mindset and energy-saving behaviours. It also advances knowledge of surface mimicry theory by adding the important role of "individual attitudes", and by clarifying the related influencing mechanisms in the unique P2P accommodation context.