January 4, 2022
Talking about sustainability is an increasingly common topic in all economic sectors, and tourism, of course, is no exception. Because, among many reasons, being sustainable is becoming an increasingly latent need among many travelers , making accommodations have to consider a strategic change that helps reduce their environmental impact. Betting on more efficient Tourist Accommodations is a clear commitment to responsible and efficient consumption of our resources. Platforms such as Booking.com have planned their “Sustainable Travelers” label , which is another indicator on which to base the fact that demand is taking action on the matter.
For this reason, it is vitally important that you as a property manager know how to increase energy efficiency, reduce the use of natural resources, start using renewable energy, reduce iraq email address waste generation and limit the consumption of single-use plastics . Read on to find out how to do it and start putting this strategy into practice.
Table of Contents [ Hide ]
1 What is the starting point towards sustainable accommodation?
1.1 Reduce the use of single-use plastics
1.2 Reduce water consumption
1.3 Reduce food waste
1.4 Reduce energy consumption
What is the starting point for sustainable accommodation?
To begin the journey towards sustainable accommodation, it is important to define a starting point. And you can do so by taking into account three key factors that determine your hotel’s environmental footprint:
The lighting .
Air conditioning or heating .
Hot water .
So, start by setting goals that allow you to reduce the consumption of these three factors. But if you need more clarity on this, you should know that the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance has set some objectives for the hotel sector that must be met by 2030. These, in addition, are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals created at COP21.
Reduce the use of single-use plastics
With the starting point clear, you now need to start taking action. You need to know that, if you haven't started yet, now is the best time to do so, considering that there are already many accommodations that are migrating to sustainable alternatives . How to start reducing plastic?
Take inventory .
Decide what is essential .
Investigate the available alternatives .
Involve your team .
Let your guests know what solutions you are implementing.
Reduce water consumption
What can you do from your accommodation to preserve water and promote responsible tourism ? It is a fact that taking care of water is essential so that in the near future the demand does not exceed the available supply of this vital liquid. You can start by suggesting to your guests that they reuse their towels or that they do not request cleaning service every day. In addition:
Know your current water consumption .
Raise awareness among staff about the importance of reducing unnecessary water consumption.
Create a simple system in which you inform guests of the strategies they can implement to contribute to saving water.
Consider incentivizing guests to implement some of the actions you have proposed.
Reduce food waste
When we think about food waste, we usually think only about those that are not consumed. However, the impact goes much further, because behind every food there is the water, energy, packaging, transportation and labor that allowed it to be put on the plate.
Before you can figure out how to reduce waste, you need to know how much you're wasting and why . And start making decisions based on that data.
Stop buying slow-moving foods to prevent them from spoiling before being consumed.
Implement a system for proper management of food waste (composting) and your environmental footprint will begin to decrease.
Tell your guests about the actions you are taking to reduce food waste and suggest they join in.
Reduce energy consumption
Reducing energy consumption and implementing the use of renewable energy is not only beneficial for the planet, but also allows you to reduce your operating costs.
Analyze the energy consumption of your accommodation.
Change the type of lighting and implement controls linked to this factor: light timers, motion sensors, etc.
Begin to migrate to renewable energy sources, for example, solar panels.
Models such as Glamping or regenerative tourism are tools to build a more supportive and efficient tourism with the planet. At Asiri Marketing we will continue to support sustainable initiatives that contribute to the well-being of the ecosystem, hence our commitment to the Manifesto for Responsible Tourism or working with businesses such as Monte Holiday Ecotourism or Coworking Rural La Grulla .
Noelia Olmedilla
Copy Specialized in Travel
