HOTEL BUSINESS REVIEW May FOCUS: Eco-Friendly Practices
One theory about the pandemic states that future viruses are more likely to originate and flourish due to global warming. If true, the urgency to accelerate the adoption of eco-friendly practices is greater than ever. Of course, there are many other reasons to create a sustainable operation, including reduced utility costs, savings on operational costs, healthier and happier guests and employees, and positive publicity, marketing and community goodwill. Many hotels are introducing innovative programs into their operations - from recycling bins in guest rooms to starting a roof top garden. Other hotels are using eco-friendly cleaning products, reusing towels and sheets, sourcing locally grown food, supporting the use of electric vehicles, and permitting guests to refill their reusable water bottles with clean, filtered water. Finally, some hotels are encouraging guests to get involved by making it possible for them to participate in local community clean-up projects. The May issue of the Hotel Business Review will document what some hotels are doing to integrate sustainable practices into their operations and how they are benefiting from them.
This month's feature articles...
Fair warning. If the terms climate change, ESG, and net zero do not currently pepper the paragraphs your hotel's business strategy, its marketing strategy, and its executive committee meeting conversations, they soon will. This article explains how a hotel's management team can build a rock-solid energy-use strategy and thereby deal with the #1 underlying 'cause' for all three of those related mega-transitions in one single document. READ MORE
Becky Zimmermann, president of Design Workshop, an international landscape architecture, planning and urban design firm, shares examples of how three leading resort hotels are implementing sustainable practices without sacrificing luxury. While there is not a one-size-fits-all approach for hotels to reduce their respective environmental impact, these three properties demonstrate critical best practices that can be adapted to fit the needs of individual properties. Read more here.... READ MORE
Hotel properties continue to leverage "green" to not only reduce costs, but also illustrate to guests their brand's commitment to conserving resources. Today's on-premises laundry equipment offers a variety features that save time and resources. In this article, Steve Bowie, general manager of the on-premises laundry segment at Alliance Laundry Systems, explores the game-changing green technologies available to hoteliers. READ MORE
.jpg?w=70)
TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci explains the impacts on hotel sustainability of laundry machinery efficiency, linen life and product life cycles. He quantifies the extent to which large-scale laundry conserves natural resources, suggests housekeeping practices that prevent linens from being removed from service too soon and describes the "cradle-to-grave" green benefits of choosing reusable textiles for restaurants instead of disposable equivalents. READ MORE
COVID-19 pandemic guests now require and demand a much safer experience when staying at hotels for business and leisure travel. With solutions and vendors marketing to the hotel industry evaluation and proof of effectiveness is extremely important. All hotels must have an indoor air quality strategy to insure guests are staying a safe and clean environment. READ MORE
Industry 4.0 trends around the Internet of Things are paving new ways to make hospitality operations more sustainable. In particular, the guest room, as the biggest energy and water consumer in the hotel environment is set to undergo a transformation; intelligent connected devices can now use their newly found ability to gather and exchange data to optimize resource consumption in ways that not possible just a few years ago. READ MORE
Sustainability can seem overwhelming to implement, especially considering the pressures operators face with the pandemic, staffing levels, and reduced revenue streams. How we can traverse the gap in bite-sized and financially viable ways? This article touches on how properties can create partnerships within their communities and supply chains to leverage industry scale. Sustainability and financial profitability are not mutually exclusive. READ MORE
Although conventional wisdom would propose that the global pandemic dissipated a focus on sustainability within the hospitality sector, Hersha Hotels and Resorts recognizes that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) will be one of the most essential aspects of "building back better" through the recovery of our industry and the economy. Hersha's sustainability program, EarthView, was created in 2010 and is the driver of Hersha's ESG strategy. READ MORE
Extended stay properties offer a kitchenette equipped with a 2-burner cooktop. These cooktops can be green, socially responsible and sustainable, yet they do not carry Energy Star ratings, which may seem contradictory. By changing and upgrading older properties away from coil cooktops, savings attributable to the newer technologies can be both fiscally beneficial and socially responsible and sustainable. Read on! READ MORE
Are you ready for the Sustainable Hybrid Meeting Market? Across the globe a consensus is building up amongst business leaders, politicians, NGOs and the majority of the global citizens. A green restart is the only way forward post-COVID. And when paradigm shifts occur there is no time to lose, you need to be prepared to become a winner! READ MORE
Gone are the days when hotels could encourage guests to reuse towels and call themselves "green." As travelers become more aware of the environmental impacts of their actions, they are increasingly choosing brands that adopt eco-friendly practices. With climate change at the forefront of the global conversation, hotels should be taking these three steps to become carbon neutral. READ MORE
This article covers some lessons learned about "how sustainability really mattered" in the past year and how this has prepared us for a strong comeback. It focuses on stakeholder relationships and the importance of treating employees right no matter what. It also explores the opportunities in innovation and how the pandemic has been acting as an accelerator. READ MORE
The COVID-19 pandemic has been felt around the world and has shaken the hotel and lodging industry. In anticipation of the "next normal," hotels around the world are revisiting their strategies in an effort to evolve their business and operations practices. In fact, many hotels are turning to green building as a way to demonstrate their re-entry plans and safety measures to guests. READ MORE
Climate change is real, and it is spectacular in how it is changing our weather norms around the world. So, at this point, we need all possible assistance to combat the climate crisis. Hotel Managers could contribute heavily towards battling against this factual threat. Simply understanding that the decisions hotel managers make about how to operate the hotel have important consequences and help determine the gravity of climate impacts. READ MORE
The discussion of sustainability, green and or eco-friendly has been happening for years but many of these initiatives did not get integrated into the planning and thought processes of a lot of hotel management teams. The practice of eco-friendly hotels is sometimes aligned with an organization's mission and ethics. The discussion in this article offers steps to identify resources and plan for operating an eco-friendly hotel. READ MORE
Peter Kjellberg, CMO and Head of Global Verticals at Dometic, explores redefining the outdoor guest experience looking at the ways in which the global pandemic experience has caused shifts in perspective that are shaping and will continue to shape the luxury hotel guest experience. This article looks at new concepts and product categories that can aid hotel executives to leveling up the outdoor guest experience amenities moving forward. READ MORE
The year 2020 was transformational for the hospitality and travel industry as millions of employees were furloughed or lost their jobs. In 2021, there is potential to revitalize those same industries as vaccination rollout continues across the globe. Bringing those employees back to work, and recruiting new hires, requires attention to health concerns and discrimination laws on the state and federal level that are unique to COVID-19. READ MORE
Red Carnation Hotel's head of sustainability, Michelle Devlin, discusses why sustainable practices are becoming a larger part of luxury hotel operations. With COVID's shut down of travel for more than a year, many businesses in the luxury hospitality sector are resetting their priorities and are starting to take responsibility for socially conscious travel. READ MORE
Regardless of the changes it has gone through, the all-inclusive industry still remains the last frontier, to be explored and conquered by the major hotel brands. There are still many obstacles to be overcome, but winds of change are blowing, and very soon we will see dramatic changes in the segment. David Camhi, partner and attorney at Berger Singerman law firm provides some insight... READ MORE
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we travel and where we stay. In fact, one in three consumers prefer sustainable brands. Not only are consumers increasingly seeking out green businesses, but they are also willing to pay more for eco-friendly products and services. Hotels can bring sustainable best-practices to their property by implementing eco-apparel and recycling old textiles. READ MORE
Hoteliers who are seeking to stand out from the crowd will need to go beyond the basics of great customer service and COVID safety procedures to delight customers who have been cooped up for the best part of a year. We are now seeing consumers state a preference for meaningful experiences that provide a real sense of authenticity. Moreover, they are putting this over price when choosing where to go. READ MORE
"Resilience" has become a buzzword as a factor for hotel survival in these turbulent times. This article recaps a study that digs deeper into the "R-Factor" to better understand the specific attitudes and practices that help hotels thrive, not just survive, under challenging conditions. The research reflects on best practices in crisis management, leadership, communication, teamwork and collaboration, partnerships and capital structure/resources and considers the long-term implications for hotel management going forward. READ MORE
Following global trends, hoteliers are now moving faster towards more sustainable practices. However, sustainability is a broad topic and taking the first steps might be daunting. To make it easier, Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), shares 6 ways that are crucial in making hotels sustainable. READ MORE
Climate change will have devastating impacts for tourism, similar in scale to COVID-19. Yet the nature that makes destinations desirable holds a key solution to counteracting climate change: the active capture of carbon. Dr. Megan Morikawa, Global Director of Sustainability for Iberostar Group & PhD from Stanford in Biology discusses how tourism is working to decarbonize and how nature should play a key role in that. READ MORE
Wellness, the latest trend word in hospitality businesses, has evolved from the term sustainability. 'Wellness' expresses not only healthy minds and bodies but how we address climate change and resiliency issues such as water and energy. At a time when we are fighting an epidemic disease of global proportions, 'wellness' of mind and body has become critical to the balance of our lives. 'Well Buildings' are the key to providing a 'well place' to work and live. READ MORE
What is a regenerative hotel and why is everyone talking about regeneration? This article walks the reader through a high-level overview of sustainability and only the most important buzz words that go with it, from CSR to ESG. What are the business opportunities that come with sustainability, and what key aspects should any hotel executive understand on this topic. READ MORE
Nature recycles materials, uses only the energy it needs, and relies on abundant and readily available resources, using rare resources sparingly. How might we incorporate nature's principles in our designs, learn from sustainability that already exists in the natural world, and create restorative solutions where the built environment enhances rather than detracts from nature? READ MORE
Travel's landscape is amidst a seismic shift, including various approaches to coping with the impacts of a global pandemic. As we emerge from over a year of isolation, we must accept the importance of holistic wellness in the recovery equation. We need to think differently and put health and safety front and center if we are going to evolve alongside our consumers and our world as a whole. READ MORE
As more travelers concern about their environmental footprint, hotels of the future must demonstrate sustainable practices in every detail. Commitments to positive environmental and social impacts, carbon offset programs, energy and water efficiency, waste management, and top-notch sustainable design features improve cost efficiencies and help with guest engagement. Elena Ashkinazy, Director of Sustainability for Time Equities, Inc showcases how Altamer Resort gets a competitive advantage in the market. READ MORE
Guests want to see that your property is celebrating and offering low-carbon, solar-powered, reusable items and community-friendly accommodations in a luxurious and natural setting. Properties should seize the opportunity to rewrite the rules, give genuine attention to incorporating sustainability, and watch as guests enjoy their stay. Tara Dodson from Eco Collections Marketplace provides a list of things that your hotel can do right now. READ MORE
Can becoming carbon neutral bring your hotel more business? Yes! Discover how successful your property can become economically, socially and of course, environmentally. Follow along as the Caribbean's most eco-certified hotel and its first and only carbon-neutral hotel thrives. Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort in Aruba hums at 97% occupancy and continues to show others how memorable vacations and sustainability can be mutually inclusive. READ MORE
With struggling businesses and limited budgets, it's hard to see why making other initiatives like adopting eco-friendly practices should remain a priority. Yet, the fight against climate change didn't stop with the onset of the pandemic; it just took a backseat. Barbara Rush, Area Director of Seattle-based Columbia Hospitality shares what a sustainable mindset means, setting a "green goal" for your business and how to adopt meaningful eco-friendly practices in your hotel. READ MORE
Recent Features ...
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
