Green Revolution in Hospitality: Embracing Eco-Friendly Luxury

Traditional hospitality operations negatively impacted the environment and left a deep hole in the pockets of hoteliers.

Sustainable hospitality is taking the front seat because of rising environmental concerns and changing climatic conditions.

This made the hoteliers realize that a significant amount of food is wasted every day, and this creates adverse consequences for people, such as waste of energy required to cook the food. When food waste is dumped in landfills, it releases harmful gases into the atmosphere.

According to Science Direct,

The above data indicates that hotels produce a lot of waste daily, requiring attention to treat it. That's where the concept of the green revolution in hospitality emerges.

The green revolution aims to make hospitality businesses sustainable and produce environmentally friendly products.

This is not because your competitors are doing it; rather, it has become a NECESSITY for modern travellers. Today's travellers have become more environmentally conscious and choosy about the hotels/resorts they'd like to invest in.

So, hotel managers should think of sustainable ways of treating waste, reducing disposal costs, and using innovative technologies to work on sustainability.

Let's discuss in detail sustainability in the hospitality industry along with some of the best eco-friendly practices hoteliers are adopting.

An overview of sustainability in the hospitality industry

The less impact you create on the environment, the more effort you need to put in to keep the hospitality industry booming. The more popular a tourist destination becomes, the more unappealing it sounds to guests.

Think of a hotel property that becomes increasingly popular, the more negative impression it creates for guests. If your property is not sustainable, then it might be an issue for modern guests as they’ve seen other hotels claiming that they are environmentally sustainable.

But you don’t care about your guests, as you increase your RevPAR and ADR.

According to Russel Bateman, the head chief of Gordan Ramsay restaurant, Sustainability is important in the hospitality industry for the people who work in it, and housekeeping staff should be mindful of the food they prepare.

It's important not just for maintaining the present lifestyle but for the world moving forward.

More than 3 quarters of people are looking for sustainable accommodation. Travelers are urged to act now and make more sustainable choices because climate changes have worsened.

A survey from Statista -

Thus, hotels, resorts, and restaurants around the globe are adopting sustainable practices that protect the environment and help them achieve cost savings in the long run.

Why is sustainability hospitality on the rise?

The hospitality industry uses huge resources (energy and water) and negatively impacts the environment.

Moreover, it doesn’t affect the environment, but it wastes a ton of money for hotels and resorts.

Here's why the demand for sustainable hospitality has been on the rise -

1. Environmental issues are on the rise

As a lot of influencers talk about sustainable practices and climate change, that inspires modern travelers to trust environmentally conscious brands.

Today travelers and online bookers, especially Millennials and Gen Z are ready to spend more on hotels or resorts that care about sustainability and don’t deplete natural resources to become attractive destinations.

Studies from the United Nations state that there has been a significant transformation in weather conditions which gives rise to more natural calamities.

Adopting sustainable practices is not just advantageous for one hotel or resort, but it brings positive outcomes for the environment. Shifting towards a greener future results in significant cost savings, and water and energy conservation.

Countries around the globe are playing their part in reducing the need for plastic straws and single-use plastics. Hospitality companies should go for eco-friendly products such as reusable water bottles or bulk shampoo dispensers.

Moreover, hoteliers should educate their staff about using energy-efficient devices, biodigesters, and renewable energy sources. Make your staff aware of the importance of sustainable hospitality practices.

2. Innovative Technology

The rapid advancement in technologies emphasizes the need for using energy-efficient devices. Solar panel installations help hoteliers achieve cost savings in the long run such as saving 30% of what they used to pay a few years back.

For hospitality businesses, solar panels are a viable alternative for conserving electricity and saving costs.

Whether hoteliers are looking to provide lighting or powering computer systems, solar panels power your hospitality business by reducing their energy bills.

Moreover, hotels that use green technologies don’t just convince eco-friendly travelers but also become competitive.

Also Read - Hotel Technology Integration

3. Produces economic benefits

Adoption of energy-efficient devices isn’t always an expense for your hotel, it does come with several benefits.

Unlike other industries, hotels also have pressure to reduce their carbon footprint in the environment, and usage of sustainable hotel practices can become their ally.

Some of the best measures that hoteliers can take include using refillable room supplies, products that are C2C certified, or smart ways to conserve water such as smart irrigation control systems.

This way hoteliers economic benefits such as cost savings, minimising waste, increasing their revenue, and improve their brand image in the long term.

They can even cater to the needs of eco-friendly-conscious travelers who are ready to spend extra nuggets on accommodation because sustainability matters to them.

4. Become socially responsible

Consumers have become environmentally conscious, and studies show that 79% of consumers in countries like India, Indonesia, and China are worried about environmental sustainability.

A study was conducted by Nielson IQ and the results of the survey state that a sustainable lifestyle is important for 78% of US consumers.

Nowadays, most consumers are shifting their preferences toward buying products with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) related claims.

These numbers indicate that people have become environmentally conscious, and they want to invest their hard-earned money in those hotels that value saving the planet.

So, the hotel manager needs to use fair trade practices, pay timely wages to staff working with them, care about the environment, and use locally sourced produce. 

In this way, they set the example for others that they’re a responsible citizen of society and that’s why their guests choose them over others.

5. Your competitors are sustainable

It seems like a fortune that your competitors go green. That means you should also adopt sustainable practices in your hotel.

Every company that says that they are environmentally sustainable is creating a false image and today’s guests understand that a thin life difference exists between saying and doing. 

So, your hotel needs to become sustainable not just for your guests, but for the entire planet. It shows others that you care about the climate and natural beauty more than just earning mere profits. 

Innovative Eco-Friendly Practices in Luxury Hotels

Going green isn’t a fancy thing, it has become a necessity. A single hotel room produces carbon emissions, 10 to 13 Tonnes a year.

Imagine if that hotel had around 200 rooms, then the total amount of CO2 would be insane. Such carbon emissions negatively affect the environment.

Let’s discuss some of these eco-friendly practices that hoteliers should adopt-

1. Use energy-efficient devices

Luxury hotels are trying to reduce carbon emissions in the environment by using renewable energy sources such as LED lighting, solar panels, smart thermostats, motion sensors, etc.

Integrating smart sockets in lighting systems automatically changes the lighting settings when a guest arrives in the room and adjusts the temperature per weather conditions and time of the day.

Switching to energy-efficient devices not only saves the environment but also reduces operational costs. LED lighting consumes 80% less energy than regular bulbs.

Thus, it not only reduces emissions in the atmosphere but also provides a comforting experience to guests.

W Sentosa Cove Hotel in Singapore uses a smart lighting system to turn on/off the lights. Its smart sensors adjust the lighting conditions based on occupancy and weather conditions.

Thus, hoteliers can reduce their energy consumption and save their energy bills.

2. Local sourcing

Many 5-star hotels rely on sourcing products from local growers and providers which promote the development of local communities.

Thus, hotels can decrease carbon emissions and create a positive image in the minds of guests that they use locally sourced and natural ingredients.

A popular example of a luxury resort is Resort Rio which follows the idea of the green revolution.

It uses naturally sourced ingredients from local farms and provides dining experiences for guests. Thus, hotels are reducing their carbon footprint by saving their transportation costs. 

3. Water Conservation

Water scarcity remains a serious issue for the whole world and hospitality is no such exception. To save water, hoteliers can either invest in rainwater harvesting systems or use water-efficient fixtures.

Hoteliers should employ low-flow fixtures in the kitchen or bathroom as they supply less water, and they seem to provide plenty of water to the guests.  

This technology reduces the water consumption for hoteliers. 

Inform the guests to be mindful about the water usage. Hoteliers should reuse the wasted water for other purposes such as dust reduction, or laundering.  

Educate your staff on making optimal utilization of water as there are coastal areas or islands where there is a lack of access to drinking quality water. 

Resort Rio, being a luxury hotel, is using rainwater harvesting to conserve water and invested in sewage plants that recycle the water for other purposes such as gardening. 

4. Waste Reduction and Management

Generally, hotels generate a significant amount of waste every day which includes food waste, packaging, and disposable material.

Another sustainable practice that hotels should adopt is through the introduction of a waste management system.

That’s why it’s important to manage waste generated through any of the following ways- 

• Use waste reduction strategies such as bulk dispensers for toiletries. Ask guests to reuse materials such as towels and linen. 
• Introduce recycling programs at your hotel 
• The composting process should be introduced so the hotel knows how to compost this waste material. 

Wrapping up

Sustainability is on the edge as guests have become environmentally conscious when picking hotels/resorts. 

They’re more inclined towards choosing eco-friendly accommodations as they want to live a sustainable life. 

Every hotel is trying to become sustainable in one or the other ways. 

Some hotels are using energy-efficient solutions such as LED lighting to reduce energy consumption. 

Others have used sustainable materials (recycled wood and non-toxic paints) to construct hotel buildings.

Some other hotels are emphasizing sourcing local produce from nearby farms to provide fine dining experiences to guests. This reduces transportation costs and employs local people residing near the hotel. 

Swart Hotel in Norway is considered the most energy-saving hotel in the world.

The architects of this hotel designed it in a circular shape allowing it to conserve more energy than it consumes. 

The roof of the hotel is surrounded by solar panels, so it saves energy and reduces energy costs by 45%.

So, if you too want to cater to environmentally conscious guests, it’s high time for you to walk on the path of building a sustainable future for them.