Sustainable hotels have set the trend in today’s world. The importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility has become a top priority. As a result, the hotel industry is increasingly committed to protecting the environment. At the same time, it seeks to maintain the quality of its services, which is why sustainable accommodations are part of the solution.
In this article, we’ll explore what sustainable hotels are, why they’re important, how they work, and how they contribute to more responsible tourism.
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What Are Sustainable Hotels?
According to the Institute for Sustainable Tourism (ISTur), sustainable hotels are:
Accommodations that, regardless of their classification, category, location, and/or type of operation, are designed and managed based on economic-strategic, environmental, social, and cultural principles. Their objectives are guided by meeting the needs of various stakeholders, respecting the environment and its biodiversity, within a framework of ongoing ethical conduct, and contributing to sustainable human development, with the aim of enhancing social capital and the quality of life for the entire community—both present and future.
Accommodations that, although not originally designed as such, are taking appropriate measures to meet sustainability requirements will also be defined as Sustainable Hotels.
Characteristics of Sustainable Hotels
According to the definition discussed above, sustainable hotels go beyond simply considering environmental aspects. They also take cultural and social aspects into account. So, based on these aspects, what are the characteristics of a sustainable hotel? Here are a few:
Use of Renewable Energy
In sustainable hotels , most of their energy consumption comes from renewable sources. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions from electricity use, refrigeration, and air conditioning are very low. This makes hotel operations more environmentally friendly.
Now, as for the technology used in these cases, the main one is photovoltaic panels. However, there are some hotels, such as the Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Colorado, U.S., that use geothermal energy to heat the building.
LED Lighting
LED lighting is another feature of sustainable hotels. This is because LED lights are more efficient since they emit little heat. As a result, less energy is required to produce the same amount of light as conventional lights. In this regard, it is estimated that LED lights are between 40 and 60 percent more efficient than traditional lighting.
Water Reuse Systems
These types of hotels have water purification systems in place so that water can be reused. For example, purified water is used to water the hotel’s garden and green spaces. In addition, automated faucet systems are installed to reduce waste.
In addition, they also create awareness campaigns through customer-targeted announcements. This encourages guests to use certain hotel resources appropriately.
Reuse and Recycling
In this case, sustainable hotels use organic food waste to make compost. This allows them to fertilize the property’s gardens and reduces environmental pollution.
Biodegradable Materials and Products
Many hotels are using eco-friendly amenities to reduce the amount of plastic waste that takes a long time to break down. They also use biodegradable detergents and cleaning products to reduce water pollution.
Contributes to the conservation of ecosystems and landscapes
A sustainable hotel partners with local organizations and governments to support the preservation of biodiversity and landscapes.
Other characteristics
Finally, sustainable hotels seek to promote the local economy and respect for cultural elements. In other words, they foster local employment, support small businesses, purchase locally sourced products, and preserve historical and cultural heritage.
The Role of Tourists in Sustainable Hotels
According to Booking.com’s 2023 Sustainable Travel Report, travelers play the following role with regard to sustainability:
- 79% of travelers say they want to travel more sustainably in the coming year. On the other hand, 80% say that the global energy crisis and the high cost of living are affecting their spending plans.
- Fifty-eight percent of travelers believe that more sustainable travel options are very expensive. In contrast, 39% are willing to pay more for sustainable travel.
- 74% of travelers turn off the air conditioning when they are not in the room. This figure represents a 43% increase from 2022, indicating that people are adopting more environmentally conscious habits. In this regard, 66% reuse the same towel several times, representing a 40% increase compared to 2022.
- Finally, it is recognized that more than 500,000 accommodations worldwide are making efforts toward sustainability.
