Our home – the Earth has stood the test of time for billions of years and sustains all forms of life known to mankind! Its significance lies in its abundance of resources, breathtaking natural wonders, and its capacity to provide us with the essentials for survival, such as clean air, water, and food. However, climate change, whether resulting from natural processes or human activities, poses a grave threat to the delicate balance of our planet.
One of the main sources of climate change is mostly carbon or greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities. Industries, as a human activity that contributes to the issue, are responsible for a quarter of global carbon emissions in 2021 alone, with the hospitality industry being a part of it.
Hence, hotels are often encouraged to be more aware of their environmental impact, which has in return led to the advent of a sustainable hotel trend. The trend promotes eco-friendly services as an effort to reduce hotels’ environmental impact and make the Earth better, which we will cover in detail in this article!
What Sustainability Trend Means to Hotels
Illustration of sustainability in hotels.
Last year, hotels are reported to account for about 1% of the world’s carbon emissions! Although this may not sound a lot, its cumulative effects haven’t gone unnoticed by local governments, customers, and hotels themselves. Therefore, more and more hotels are striving to be environmentally aware, which has resulted in the sustainable hotel trend.
The trend, which is defined as “the sustainable practices in hotel operations in compliance with environmental principles”, has steadily gained attention for some time now. Since some of the leading hotels worldwide have adopted this trend into their operations, more hotel owners are joining to follow the sustainable path, as it proves to reduce hotels’ environmental impact and benefits their operational performance in the long run.
Here are some benefits of implementing sustainability for hotels:
- Maintaining asset value;
- Attracting green investment;
- Meeting the demands of customers;
- Improving hotels’ financial performance;
- Increasing work environment quality for staff;
- Enhancing brand reputation and relationship management.
These benefits brought by sustainability implementation not only help hotels to become more eco-friendly, as it also make hotels stand out from their competitors!
For sustainability to be effectively integrated into hotel operations, there are various best practices that hotels can try. By any chance, we already prepared the list and covered them for you in the next line!
Sustainability Best Practices for Hotels
In efforts to reduce their carbon emissions, many hotels have practiced sustainability to lessen their impact on the environment! For instance, renowned hotel chains IHG and Marriott Bonvoy take the initiative by removing single-use toiletries from their hotels’ amenities, which respectively saves them $200 million and $14 million worth of small bottles per year.
Following in their footsteps, there are more ways hotels can use to transform into eco-friendly lodgings and raise common awareness towards sustainability at the same time. Stay tuned because we have summarized them into the list of sustainability best practices for hotels below!
1. Implement Automation
Illustration of automation in hotels.
Automation not only gives a technological touch to hotel operations; it is also the key to improving hotels’ sustainability! By implementing automation, hotels can conserve energy through a one-switch system that prevents leaving lights on, or energy-efficient LED light bulbs installment.
The automation of check-in and check-out will also help in reducing plastic cards and paper usage, as the entire process is done digitally! Moreover, automation lead hotels to minimize their carbon footprint, as any paper-based documentation is replaced with technology.
2. Preserve Water
Preserve water as a sustainability practice for hotels.
Controlling guests to preserve water is difficult, but hotels can try educating them to be mindful of water consumption by placing reminder signs in guest bathrooms or encouraging them to take shorter showers.
Hotels can also take the initiative by utilizing technologies, such as Comfort Saver which save water usage by up to 50% and reduce the annual water bill to 25%, or Hydrao Shower Head which is able to track the amount of water usage!
3. Reduce Food Waste
Food waste from a hotel.
Food waste is one of the contributors to carbon or greenhouse gas emissions, specifically waste from meat consumption! Since meat is common in hotel restaurants, hotels can consider providing more vegan dishes to guests instead of meat meals, as they reduce carbon emissions by 64% compared to meat-based foods.
Events and banquets taking place in hotels are other contributors to hotel food waste. In order to decrease the amount, hotels can devise long-term strategies by keeping track of how much food waste is produced on a weekly or monthly basis.
4. Compost Food Waste
Compost created from food waste.
Since 8% of greenhouse gas emissions that caused climate change come from food waste, hotels as one of the contributors can mitigate the environmental issue by composting food waste. Banana peels, vegetable scraps, and even tea bags are some of the ingredients for compost, which later can be utilized to enrich the soil in hotel gardens.
Composting is easy; what hotels need first is preparing an ideal spot for composting. Then, composting begins by mixing green (food scraps, garden waste) and brown (dry leaves, newspaper) layers before covering the compost and keeping it moist. For the compost breakdown to accelerate, try to use sugar water, ammonia, or beer!
5. Involve Guests in Sustainability Efforts
A picture of planting tree together.
Involving guests in hotels’ sustainability efforts will help to raise their awareness toward sustainability, as they are the main consumers of hotels’ water and energy resources. Hotels can try to set up waste separation facilities and encourage guests to separate waste, as well as promote other eco-friendly behaviors.
There is also another way that hotels can do in inspiring guests to become more eco-conscious. Using the upselling technique, hotels can present a selection of “go green” deals that give a sustainable brand image to the hotel!
Sustainable Hotels for Eco-Friendly Travels
The trend of sustainability not only encourages hotels to change their services into more environment-friendly, but it also enlightens creative minds to build sustainable hotels. Up next, we have featured the profile of five sustainable hotels worldwide which might suit your eco-friendly travel preference!
1. COMO Laucala Island in Fiji
COMO Laucala Island. (via The Hotel Journal)
COMO Laucala Island consists of 25 villas and 240 acres of farmland that extend over 12 square kilometers! Located in Fiji, the hotel grows its own vegetables and fruits, as well as raises its own livestock.
Committed to its purpose of sustainability, this hotel was built from natural materials. The commitment continues into its spa service, where the hotel uses homegrown herbs, spices, and flowers to create its own signature scents!
2. Bambu Indah in Indonesia
Bambu Indah. (via The Hotel Journal)
A perfect blend of luxury and nature, Bambu Indah is a recommended hotel to stay in for any eco-traveler visiting Bali, Indonesia! Made by designers John and Cynthia Hardy, the hotel is said to be a true natural wonderland.
Guests staying will enjoy waking up to the sound of spring waterfalls before strolling through the tropical jungle, lazing in hanging hammocks over a river, or engaging in fun and unique activities such as washing local buffalo!
3. The Brando in French Polynesia
The Brando. (via The Hotel Journal)
Located inside the private island of Tetiaroa, French Polynesia, The Brando promotes the concept of “carefree luxury in the heart of nature”. It has 35 villas ready to welcome guests, with access to explore wildlife including exotic birds and sea turtles that frequent the beaches.
The hotel was built from recycled materials and designed to fit the landscape perfectly. It uses a deep seawater air-conditioning system which reduces energy consumption, making the property more carbon-neutral and self-sustainable!
4. Pench Tree Lodge in India
Pench Tree Lodge. (via The Hotel Journal)
A sustainable hotel that offers unique glamping adventures, Pench Tree Lodge will be a fitting choice for travelers who are enthusiastic about wildlife! Located 20 minutes away from Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh, the hotel consists of 12 treehouses and cottage resorts.
Those buildings are constructed from natural materials, including sal wood. Guests of this hotel will experience a unique stay amidst 40 acres of forest while swimming in the pool and learning more about the flora and fauna around!
5. Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia
Song Saa Private Island. (via The Hotel Journal)
Built with natural materials from Cambodia itself, Song Saa Private Island is a luxurious eco lodging that is home to upcycled decor and repurposed furniture, such as floorboards made from fishing boats or oil drum-based lamps!
Designed by Melita Koulmandas Hunter, the hotel has a sewage system that 100% recycles waste. What’s more, Song Saa Private Island collaborates with local fishermen to practice sustainable fishing, as well as grow its own vegetables on-site!
Wrapping Up
Taking care of our planet is everyone’s responsibility, including the hospitality industry! Hence, more hotels are becoming eco-friendly by adopting the sustainable hotel trend to reduce their negative impact on the environment.
The sustainable hotel trend is undoubtedly worth the praise! Aside from raising hotels’ awareness of environmental issues, it is also fostering a sense of mindfulness in customers toward sustainability’s importance in hotels. As saving the Earth is our responsibility, it’s important for us to take any form of action to make the planet better!
As a part of the hospitality industry, our small contribution is to collaborate with sustainable hotels and resorts across Asia and to educate young talents through our programs. We believe that they are the game-changers who could create a better sustainable hospitality industry.
Take your step to save the Earth and gain an outstanding hospitality career by joining our successful participants now!
Recommended: Decoding the Details of Artificial Intelligence in Hotels
