Six ways to meet eco-conscious guest demands
As consumers become increasingly sensitive to environmental issues and the climate crisis rises, demand for eco-friendly services and products continues to grow.
It may have begun as niche, but demand for green accommodation and travelling is growing among consumers both for pleasure and business. Moreover, many organisations now implement policies that require traveling employees to stay in eco-friendly hotels.
Responsible and sustainable practices in your property will help you remain competitive, attract more guests, save money, and help you to do your part to protect the planet.
We’ve compiled some easy ideas to keep up with the green trend and help make your property more environmentally friendly.
Ditch one-use plastic products. From food packaging and plastic utensils to cosmetic products and toiletries, hotels are amongst the biggest culprits for harmful disposable waste. In fact, it’s been noted that 200 million mini bottles of toiletry products provided by hotels end up in landfill each year. Single-use plastic products wreak havoc on the environment and drastically damage marine life. Switching to eco-friendly alternatives will cut back on this needless waste. Opting for ceramic mugs and offering toiletries from bulk dispensers are just a couple of simple high impact changes you can make.
Serve local and organic food. Most people want to dine on healthy, sustainable cuisine, and offering seasonal and locally sourced food is a great way to ensure that your guests can do just that. Opting to serve fresh, delicious, eco-friendly meals will also help you build links with your local businesses, community and its unique culture and will also build a positive perception among guests.
Use eco-friendly cleaning products. Conventional cleaning supplies are often based on chlorine and petrochemicals that are harsh on us and pollute the planet. Using eco-friendly cleaning products made from plant-based ingredients will see you offer a safer and more natural environment for you, your staff and your guests.
Conserve energy. Reducing energy can enhance guest experience and significantly reduce your financial outgoings. Long-lasting LED lighting can reduce electricity use by as much as 90 percent and skylights in communal areas will enhance the use of lovely natural light during the day. If your hotel has a pool, it’s worth thinking about purchasing a solar water heating system.
Other green technologies are solar panels that can be used to reduce your dependence on outside energy, and automated systems that shut off electronic devices in a room when left empty.
Limit water waste. Water conservation is especially important for hotels that host numerous guests throughout the year and will save you a significant amount of money. There are so many ways hotels can save water: installing low-flow shower heads and toilets in hotel rooms; using low water and energy efficient laundry machines; and making water stations available to guests to discourage the use of bottled water, are just a few examples.
Inspire guests to be green. Think about encouraging guests to reuse their towels, sheets, and bedding so you can reduce your use of water and energy. Ask guests to turn out the lights when they leave and make recycling bins readily available to guests. You could also inform them of travel options other than taxis and rental cars, such as walking routes, cycling, and public transportation.
If your guests are well-informed of your green goals, they’ll want to do their part as well.
Implementing such efforts in your hotel is a priority for many reasons. It’ll help you stay competitive, save money, build customer loyalty and, importantly, reduce your negative impact on the environment.
