Hotel, Hospitality, and Sustainability Hotel an establishment that has primary purpose of providing travelers and tourist with shelter, food, refreshment, and similar services and goods, offering on a commercial basis things that are customarily furnished within households but unavailable to people on a journey away from home. The hospitality industry is a broad category of fields within the service industry that includes lodging, food and drink service, event planning, theme parks, transportation, cruise line, traveling and additional fields within the tourism industry. Sustainability focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainability is one of the most important issues currently facing our world. It composed of three pillars which are economic, environmental and social. Over the past decades, hoteliers have turned their focus to the importance of sustainability in the hospitality industry as it relates to hotel development and operations, including the environmental, economic and social impact. Sustainability is one of the most important issues currently facing our world. In addition, other business concerns, such as rising costs, increased government pressures and competitors’ actions have only motivated hoteliers to embrace sustainability and make it an integral part of the corporate agenda. Tourists themselves are also increasingly aware of the issue of sustainability, expecting hotels to assume responsibility and conduct their business sustainably. These days, it’s crucial for your hotel or resort to adopt more eco-friendly practices so your business can stay competitive, attract more travelers, save money, and do its part to protect the planet. Here are the best ways to make your hotel more sustainable. Conserve Energy Conserve Energy is Conserve Energy is a part of the concept of eco-sufficiency which is the effort made to reduce the consumption of energy by using less of an energy service. This “economically sustainable method” is effective and easy to apply, for example by redesigning the guest experience to encourage guests to apply adaptive behaviors. Reducing energy can enhance guest experience and add extra padding to your bank account. Making just some simple changes to how your hotel uses energy can make a big impact. Try switching to long-lasting LED lights to reduce electricity use, or install skylights in common areas to use more natural light during the day. Energy-saving kitchen, laundry, and air conditioning equipment can also drastically reduce energy use in hotels. If your hotel or resort has a pool, consider purchasing a solar water heating system. Solar water heating is the conversion of sunlight into heat for water heating using a solar thermal collector. Installing energy-efficient technologies such as appliances, lighting, and heating and cooling systems can make a difference for both the environment and your hotel's bottom line. • Implement Alternative Energy Sources A number of hotels have switched at least portions of their energy usage to alternative sources, with great results. The Willard Intercontinental in Washington D.C. is now running on 100% wind energy power, resulting in a 12% decline in energy consumption, according to the Green Hotels and Responsible Tourism Initiative. Other hotels, particularly those in warmer climates, are making use of solar energy for signage and water heating. And as the market for alternative energy increases, more solutions will arise. Water Conservation Water conservation is the practice of using water efficiently to reduce unnecessary water usage. It refers to the preservation, control and development of water resources, both surface and groundwater, and prevention of pollution. It is important for all business sustainability initiatives, but especially for hotels and resorts that host numerous guests throughout the year. But why conserve water? For one, water is a limited source, so the less water wasted the better. Using water in excess can also lead to groundwater contamination if sewage systems overflow. Conserving water also reduces energy use, thus saving your business money. Ways on Conserving Waters in Hotel 1. Water Saving: Establishing a water management plan To set and achieve realistic, relevant and measurable goals, we will need to devote time and resources for a thorough planning and subsequent monitoring. The first step in creating a water saving management plan will be the measurement of water consumption and setting certain tangible goals. It is important to know the starting point and calculate exactly how much water is used. For that we need to install counters and perform regular readings of the same. We should also install multiple counters to find the areas where more water is used and transform that measurement into economic terms: in this way we shall understand any effort to save water more as an investment than as an obligation. Installing low-flow shower heads (.5 to 2 gpm) and toilets, as well as sink aerators (.25 gpm to .5 gpm for hand and face washing and 2.2 gpm for dish washing) in hotel rooms can greatly reduce water waste on a daily basis. Another tip also to save water is making water stations available to guests where it can discourage the use of bottled water. 2. Developing strategies for each area After knowing the volume consumed, the second step is to establish guidelines to follow. If, for example, our hotel has green areas, we must develop strategies aimed at improving water conservation. In this regard, one of the key factors is the irrigation system. If we want to reduce water consumption in our hotels, we must know what kind of vegetation we have. By knowing the characteristics of the flora, we know how much water they need and how often, which will allow us to establish patterns of action to avoid over-irrigation. 3. Controlling and reducing water consumption In the third step, after establishing guidelines, we must control and try to reduce the use of water. For this, there are various systems that continuously save water in hotels. By incorporating in our facilities these low-power systems, such as toilets with low-capacity tanks or low-flow taps or shower heads, we are considerably reducing the amount of water used. 4. Maintaining proper functioning facilities In the fourth step, after integrating systems of low water consumption in our hotels, we must ensure that they work properly. It is necessary when it comes to reducing water consumption, to always ensure that these mechanisms are in good conditions. Periodically reviewing them will prevent leakage or inefficiencies and possible faults that produce an opposite effect. 5. Optimizing the use of systems In the fifth step, in addition to efficient systems, we must optimize their use. If we analyze the case of laundry service, it is essential to elaborate a proper plan that allows us to control the time spent and consumption done; without ever neglecting customer service. In this way, we must ensure that the devices operate in the most efficient way possible, in this case, that the washers are fully charged. With these measures, in addition to reducing water consumption, we will reduce other costs associated, for example, the amount of detergent used and energy consumption. 6. Training staff All of the above steps will not take effect if we do not educate and build awareness for our employees. Therefore, the sixth step is to promote actions and attitudes in our employees that demonstrate ethical behavior. The human factor is critical in any action for improvement in our organization: we must train them in conservation of water, keeping them constantly informed about improvements or changes; and incorporating guidelines for a responsible consumption into their routines and activities. Similarly, we must implement mechanisms or systems that allow us to receive feedback, so as to know which process work and which not, to make corrections and changes as necessary. 7. Raising awareness among customers Finally, as the seventh step, as with our employees, we must educate customers about the importance of saving water. With simple behavioral changes, such as reducing the number of towels a day or closing the taps when they are not being used, we can make improvements and involve guests in a management system that takes care of the environment and is sustainable over time. Ditch Disposables Disposable is a product that design and intended to be used once, or until no longer useful, and then thrown away. Example of these are: Toilet paper, Disposable towels, paper towels plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging. Some room amenities such as shampoo, soap, lotion, and coffee can all wreak havoc on the environment. Think about switching to natural and organic toiletries in biodegradable or recyclable packaging. Better yet, consider offering these items in bulk dispensers to cut back on needless waste. Another great way to reduce waste in guest rooms is to swap plastic and paper cups used for coffee and drinks with reusable glasses and mugs. In addition, according to the Green Hotels Association, a hotel in Toronto is recycling stained tablecloths into napkins, chef's aprons, and neckties, while other hotels are making cloth laundry bags from retired sheets. These are the sort of initiatives that can make a long term difference when put into practice. Have Guests Reuse Linens Linen reuse programs for hotels and resorts are another great idea in terms of reducing water and energy waste. Think about encouraging guests to reuse their towels, sheets, and bedding so housekeeping can cut back on how many times they need to use the washing machines and electric dryers every day. Train Your Team As you implement green initiatives at your hotel, make sure you're keeping all employees informed about the changes and what they can do to help. Employees are crucial to the success of any green initiatives in hospitality industry. You can place recycle bins in each room and start a towel reuse program, but unless your staff follows through with these initiatives, they won’t work. Train your employees to follow green initiatives and create an environmentally conscious culture. On top of simple tasks like recycling, Global Stewards suggests you educate your staff on the following: •Turn off lights in unoccupied areas •Open and close windows and blinds as needed •Check for leaky faucets, toilets, and showers. Add a sign to bathrooms letting guest know how to report leaks. •Turn on and off hotel equipment as necessary (i.e. large fans, heaters, etc.) •Keep an eye out for wasteful practices and offer potential solutions With your employees on board, you’ll be able to make a real impact on your property’s carbon footprint. You’ll also reduce energy costs and materials costs with the proper training. Equip Staff with Eco-Friendly Cleaning Supplies Swapping out conventional cleaning supplies with green cleaning products can help your hotel or resort offer a safer, more natural environment to travelers. Many hotels are now using bio-based cleaning products instead of chlorine and petrochemical-based cleaners that can be harsh on our skin, and pollute the planet. Encourage Guests to be Green Put cards in each room asking guests to turn out the lights when they leave, or reuse towels if possible. Make recycling bins readily available to guests and be sure that they are aware of your green programs. When guests see that your hotel is making an effort to help the environment, they will generally want to do their part as well. For those hotels looking to do even more, consider loaning or renting bicycles to guests, or look into installing a bike-sharing station. Paperless Hotel. A task made easy by a modern property management system, which will simplify operations and streamline the guest experience while reducing carbon emissions. Serve Local and Organic Food When eco-minded travelers search for a hotel or resort, they want to make sure they can easily dine on healthy, sustainable cuisine. Offering local, seasonal, organic food is a great way to ensure that your guests are dining on fresh, delicious, eco-friendly meals. Opting to serve local ingredients can also bring travelers unique opportunities to experience a greater connection to the locations they are visiting in a more sustainable way. Consider Composting Many hotels and resorts are now composting their food waste to divert food from landfills. Instead of throwing scraps in the dumpster, try composting organic matter whenever possible to reduce your carting expenses, environmental impact, and gain a positive perception among travelers. In addition, it can save your hotel money on landscaping since composted waste can be used as organic fertilizer. Plant a Garden If you're considering expanding your outdoor offerings for guests, consider adding a garden rather than simply extending your patio or pool area. The Green Hotels Association notes that one Pennsylvania property has a 400-foot garden and produces organically-grown vegetables for its restaurant. Now you don't have to go that far, but even a small garden (perhaps even on the rooftop for those of you with city properties) can help counteract your hotel's carbon footprint. Raised beds can be installed almost anywhere, and placing benches—made from recycled materials—around a garden can make for a wonderful guest experience. Room Keys Contemporary plastic key cards are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) based plastic which is part of a highly toxic manufacturing process. Many hotel companies are shifting to card options made from paper, wood, and bio plastic that are better for the environment but equally as durable. Support Local, Sustainable Businesses Hotels can help reduce their environmental impact by making smart purchasing choices as well. A hotel can reduce waste generation by making an effort to only purchase environmentally-friendly products, and purchasing locally can also reduce the impact on the environment and benefit the community. You may also want to consider promoting other environmentally-friendly businesses to guests, such as local farm-to-table restaurants. Sustainability is a lot more than environmental management, it is also about economic progress and social development. Social concerns such as inclusivity, promoting work-life balance, promoting employees’ health and wellbeing, sourcing supplies locally and stimulating entrepreneurship are all part of the sustainability agenda. There are countless things you can to do to make your property sustainable, both big and small. Not only will these tips help your property become more environmentally friendly, it will help save you money. Utilities, labor, and operational costs are the largest cost contributors for most hotels, and being sustainable often helps address all three. Tackling energy and general waste is no easy feat, but every little effort is a step in the right direction.
