Travel

What does sustainability in the hotel industry mean?

Sustainable accommodation involves reducing the impact of tourism on local communities and the environment. Sustainable hotels manage operations in such a way as to balance the needs of local people and the environment while still being able to make a profit (Operto, 2021).

There are some myths in the hotel industry, that keeping an sustainable hotel would be ineffective:

• Being sustainable costs more 
• Being sustainable comes at the expense of an excellent guest experience 

But both of these statements rely on misconceptions. Actually, many sustainable practices focus on reducing resource consumption and waste generation, which initially saves money and resources. Reducing energy use doesn’t mean, for example, banning guests from using air conditioning – it is about using smart devices and monitoring systems to personalise and optimise energy use to keep guests comfortable while minimising unnecessary energy usage keeping the costs low (Operto, 2021). 

Here are some good tips for hotels (hotel owners) to become more sustainable: 

• Reduce plastic waste

No need for keycards, replace them with locks, access codes and keyless entry systems. Don’t provide straws or disposable cups unless absolutely necessary. As a hotel owner you can get rid of water bottles, give guests a reusable branded bottle and provide water dispensers around the premises instead.

Automate energy control To save energy, and recusing cost for energy you can install modern HVAC systems that customise airflow, heating, and cooling by monitoring room occupancy and allowing guests to personalise temperature schedules. As a hotel owner, you can also install energy-saving light bulbs or even invest in solar panels, air or ground heat pumps, and underfloor heating, which is more efficient than traditional radiators. An idea would be to plant trees to shade the building and reduce the need for A/C. Cut food waste The UN estimates one-third of food produced for human consumption is wasted, with a footprint of 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases. Therefore it is important, even for hotels, to try to cut food waste. For example, as a hotel owner you can implement clean-tech food management systems to help you track and measure food use and make better use of leftovers, or save food miles. You can also include locally sourced, seasonal, organic products in your menu or why not start your own garden? You can also donate leftovers or food you won’t use to food banks, soup kitchens, or for animal feed.

• Save water

Water scarcity is probably one of the most concerning environmental issues. Especially in certain areas where Big hotels can use up large amounts of vital water resources in a local community. There are a few things a hotel owner can do to save water in a hotel, for example use rainwater or greywater collection systems to repurpose wastewater for example like flushing toilets. This is particularly important in countries where wastewater treatment is minimal and there is a risk of discharge into drinking water sources. You can also get greywater heat recovery systems that capture and reuse the energy that is lost when hot water goes down the drain. You can also buy water-efficient devices or use low-flow showerheads and push taps and replace toilets with low-flush versions. And of course appeal to the guests that they save on water consumption where possible.

• Switch to sustainable mobility

As a hotel owner - have bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters available for guests. You can also use group shuttles to avoid low-occupancy trips and switch fixed-route-schedules services to flexible on-demand, for example, to local attractions or employees between sites. With on-demand, passengers request a ride via app and algorithms match them with others going in the same direction. Optimising occupancy and ensuring vehicles only circulate when needed cuts fuel and operational costs.

• Support the local community

It is a good, and sustainable idea for hotels to buy and use local crafts, toiletries, furnishings, etc. on-site and have items available to buy at reception or in the gift shop. Might be more expensive, but for quality and durability you should save money in the long run!