Making tourism a sustainable option is the major challenge that hotel chains must face if they want to find their place in the sector’s new order. Thus, integrating sustainability into the hotel industry must be a priority to ensure the growth of the tourism industry while safeguarding the environment.
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Why is urgent action necessary?
As the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) points out,“the principles of sustainability refer to the environmental, economic, and sociocultural aspects of tourism development, and an appropriate balance must be struck among these three dimensions to ensure long-term sustainability.”
All of this stems from a common goal: reducing the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.
Data from the most recent studies indicate that tourism alone accounts for 5% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, this figure is expected to increase by 130% by 2035, which is why it is crucial to implement sustainability measures in the hotel industry.
Social Commitment to Promoting Sustainability in the Hotel Industry
Society is more committed than ever to preserving the environment, which is why people are more willing to invest in sustainable tourism. This is demonstrated by a survey conducted by the TUI Group, which revealed that young people are the group most willing to choose a sustainable hotel for their vacations.
Directing hotel investment toward more eco-friendly approaches is a long-term investment in the future.
UNWTO guidelines for hotel sustainability
Following UNWTO guidelines, a series of requirements must be met when implementing changes in hotel management practices related to sustainability. The first of these concerns the optimization of environmental resources in the daily operations of the tourism industry.
Second, we must “respect the sociocultural authenticity of the communities where tourism takes place.” In this regard, it is important to emphasize the importance of not disrupting a region’s aesthetic by introducing innovative elements. A balance must be sought.
Finally, the UNWTO notes that economic activities stemming from sustainable hospitality should create employment opportunities for local residents, as well as generate income.
Steps Toward Full Sustainability in the Hotel Industry
Having laid the groundwork for the roadmap to implement sustainable measures, Dr. Legrand, an expert in sustainability, offers some easily applicable ideas in the Hotel Yearbook 2020 report that are becoming a trend.
Don’t Waste Food
Food production has an environmental impact, which is why one idea is to create menus that make the most of food in various hotel kitchens. Another option is to establish the hotel’s own organic gardens or to purchase produce at local markets to reduce the carbon footprint.
Minimizing Water and Electricity Consumption
Installing water-filtering systems in showers can substantially reduce water consumption. The use of lighting sensors also ensures energy efficiency. Hotel sustainability is the combination of all these measures.
Say No to Plastic
An easy step toward sustainability in the hotel industry is to replace all single-use plastic products with reusable materials, such as bamboo or glass. This measure can be applied to water bottles, shampoo and body wash supplies, straws, utensils…
Sustainable IT
More and more hotels are investing in electronic devices to reduce paper consumption. Centralizing documents in computer databases makes it easier to reduce paper consumption.
Choose locally sourced products and materials.
Following the policy of promoting the development of the local area where the hotel is located, sourcing local products and materials is the best option. This approach involves using locally produced goods and materials so that not only are profits concentrated in the immediate vicinity, but pollution from transporting goods from more distant locations is also reduced.
Commitment to Hotel Sustainability
If you’re thinking about investing in sustainability, we at IHCS can help you. Our hotel investment management service will help you implement all the measures you want so you can grow into a leader in the tourism sector. Contact us, and we’ll review your situation in detail!
