Some hotels are rising to the challenge, taking strides toward sustainable operations. They are lessening their carbon footprints, making a stay with them a more eco-conscious choice. This shift isn’t just about keeping up with green trends—it's a meaningful move towards responsible hospitality.
In this article, we’ll explore a variety of strategies that hotel operators can embrace to contribute to the larger picture of sustainable tourism.
1. Prioritizing Energy Efficiency
Hotel operators have a huge opportunity to reduce their operating costs and environmental impact by focusing on energy efficiency. Effective hotel budget planning can allocate resources toward the implementation of energy-saving practices.
Beyond the basics, such as LED lights, hotels are now exploring energy management systems (EMS). These systems smartly adjust energy use in real time, cutting energy costs significantly.
When the Ritz-Carlton hotel implemented a comprehensive EMS across its portfolio, it reduced energy consumption by a staggering 13%. This was achieved after over 400 energy projects and retro-commissioning measures.
2. Paying Attention to Water Conservation
Water-saving isn't just for drought-stricken areas anymore. From recycling laundry water to harvesting rainwater for landscaping, these measures contribute to sustainability in hotel operations.
Beyond the installation of low-flow fixtures, hotels are investing in high-efficiency laundry systems. These systems recycle water and utilize eco-friendly detergents. Besides saving water, they protect local waterways from pollution, meeting the rigorous guidelines outlined by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for sustainable water use in tourism.
3. Investing in Waste Management
Effective waste management goes beyond merely disposing of waste. It entails reducing waste generation, reusing materials, and recycling. These practices can drastically reduce a hotel’s environmental footprint while also saving money on disposal costs.
A hotel, for example, can set up clearly marked recycling bins in guest rooms and common areas to encourage guests to recycle. Moreover, hotels can transition to reusable items like glass water bottles and cloth napkins to reduce their waste output.
4. Following Sustainable Food Practices
The journey of food from the farm to the hotel table can be a long one, with a trail of carbon emissions along the way. However, by adopting sustainable food practices, hotels can shorten this trail significantly.
Hotels are moving towards 'zero-mile' menus and responsible seafood sourcing. Such practices greatly reduce carbon emissions and support marine biodiversity.
Moreover, they align with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) guidelines for sustainable diets and contribute to the prevention of overfishing, reflecting the industry's commitment to the broader goal of environmental sustainability.
5. Complying With Green Building Standards
Sustainability has moved to center stage in hotel design. More and more hotels feature recycled materials and biophilic elements to achieve certifications such as LEED or BREEAM. These buildings have a reduced environmental impact. Moreover, they enhance guest well-being and connect with the locale's natural environment.
Majid Al Futtaim’s hotels have earned the top eco-friendly status, LEED Platinum, for their 13 properties. They save energy, enhance air quality, reduce waste, and cut out single-use plastics. These steps support both the environment and local communities as they aim to make a bigger positive impact by 2040.
6. Educating Guests and Staff
The path toward sustainability in hotel operations isn’t a solo journey. It’s a collective effort that involves both the staff and the guests. Education and engagement are the keys to fostering a culture of sustainability within the hotel premises.
Let’s look back at the Ritz-Carlton’s implementation of EMS. Aside from the system and the slew of energy projects, their success also hinged on the staff’s attitude toward energy efficiency. If the employees lacked an adequate understanding of the task at hand, they wouldn’t have the commitment necessary to accomplish what they did.
7. Investing in Renewable Energy
Moving to cleaner energy sources marks a significant step in reducing a hotel's carbon footprint. Advanced options such as geothermal systems use the stable temperatures underground to regulate a building's climate. This leads to lower energy costs and a smaller environmental footprint.
This shift is driven by more than financial gains. Hotels can contribute to broader green energy initiatives by purchasing renewable energy credits. This option is perfect when on-site installations like solar panels aren't feasible. This way, they support environmental projects while still committing to sustainable energy use.
The Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, stands out for its innovative approach to sustainability. The hotel uses geothermal energy to manage its temperature, making it less reliant on fossil fuels.
Geothermal energy lets Galt House Hotel contribute to a healthier planet by reducing energy use and carbon emissions. In conclusion, it highlights the hotel's commitment to long-term ecological responsibility.
Conclusion
Being eco-friendly goes beyond cost-efficiency. The bottom line of sustainable hotel operations is to do what's right for the planet. From saving energy to reducing waste, tourism operators’ choices are part of a bigger plan to transform the hotel industry into a green one.
Once the hotel industry achieves sustainability, it becomes a huge asset in the fight against climate change. This aligns with the objectives set by the world, such as the Paris Agreement and the UN's sustainable development goals.
Author: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edrian-blasquino-ab3a4a201/
