What is a sustainable hotel?

Sustainability in hotels is not just a trend or a buzzword; it’s a long-term responsibility. It involves adopting practices that reduce environmental impact and promote social and economic well-being. Eco-friendly hotels are all about conserving resources and protecting the environment. They focus on energy efficiency, reducing waste, and supporting the local community. These hotels are committed to providing a sustainable stay without compromising on comfort or quality.

The demand for sustainable hotels is rising, driven by eco-conscious guests. Implementing green practices is not just important – it’s necessary. This article will show you how to make your hotel a leader in sustainability, benefiting both your business and your guests. Let’s delve into practical steps and real-world examples to help you stay ahead in the eco-friendly movement.

1. Advantages of a Hotel Sustainability Policy

Implementing a comprehensive sustainability policy in a sustainable hotel offers numerous financial, operational, and environmental advantages. These benefits not only enhance the guest experience but also boost the hotel’s reputation in a competitive market. Below are some key advantages:

• Energy Efficiency: Energy is one of the most significant operational expenses in hotels, representing between 3% and 6% of operating costs, making it the second largest component after labour expenses. Additionally, energy accounts for 60% of a hotel’s utility costs. Switching to LED lighting, integrating smart climate control systems, and using renewable energy help reduce carbon emissions and energy costs. For example, a green hotel can optimise its energy consumption through management systems that adjust electricity usage according to occupancy.
  
  
• Water Saving: Installing low-flow taps and water recycling systems helps conserve this vital resource. Additionally, towel and linen reuse programmes allow for water savings without compromising the guest experience.
  
  
• Healthy Environments: By adopting eco-friendly cleaning products and offering locally sourced food, the hotel not only supports responsible suppliers but also enhances the health and well-being of guests and staff, creating a cleaner and more pleasant environment.
  
  
• Unique Experiences for Guests: Eco-tourism hotels can offer activities that connect guests with nature, such as eco-tours, composting workshops, or visits to local gardens. These experiences enrich the stay and foster a deeper connection with the environment.
  
  
• Differentiation in the Market: Sustainability in the hotel industry provides a competitive advantage that attracts environmentally conscious customers. Visible practices, such as recycling programmes and eco-certified rooms, reinforce the hotel’s image. A study by Cornell University found that the average room rate increased by $20 in the two years following a hotel’s LEED certification.
  

Implementing a sustainability policy is an investment in the future that benefits both eco-friendly hotels and the planet, responding to the demand from customers who seek green hotel experiences.

2. What does a hotel need to be sustainable?

To be a sustainable hotel and align with the principles of sustainable hospitality, it is essential to integrate practices across all operational areas. Here are some key points to achieve this:

• Energy Efficiency: In addition to switching to LED lighting, hotels can use smart thermostats that automatically adjust the temperature based on occupancy. Installing solar panels also helps reduce the carbon footprint.
  
  
• Conscious Water Use: Using low-flow taps and showers, along with rainwater harvesting systems, helps conserve water and maintain green spaces without wasting resources.
  
  
• Waste Management: Waste reduction is essential. From recycling and composting programmes to eliminating single-use plastics, every action counts for eco-friendly hotels.
  
  
• Sustainable Sourcing: Buying from local suppliers not only reduces the carbon footprint but also supports the community’s economy. Offering menus that highlight local produce can attract travellers who value sustainability.
  
  
• Sustainable Mobility: Providing charging stations for electric cars and sustainable transport options like bicycles or scooters helps connect guests with the environment responsibly.

3. Lessons from Sustainable Hotel Brands

Several brands have shown that sustainability in hotels is possible without compromising quality. Here are some examples:

• Kora Green City‘s AI Booking Assistant highlights its strong commitment to sustainability, informing guests that it is the largest building certified as Passivhaus in Europe. Through the chatbot, users can discover how the hotel uses renewable energy for climate control, such as the floor system that injects cold water in summer and hot water from a geothermal system in winter, maintaining a comfortable temperature all year round. This information allows guests to understand the positive impact of their choice in reducing their carbon footprint while they relax.
  
  Furthermore, the virtual assistant mentions the Passivhaus standard and provides a link to the Passivhaus experience page, where visitors can delve into the hotel’s sustainable practices. Details are provided on aspects such as indoor air quality and the efficient design of the apartments. By offering this information, the chatbot educates guests about Kora Green City’s eco-friendly initiatives and invites them to embrace a sustainable lifestyle during their stay.
  
  
  Benefits:
  
  
• For the Hotel: Builds brand reputation, engages guests, fosters loyalty, and showcases sustainability leadership.
• For Guests: Enhances satisfaction, raises eco-awareness, and leaves a lasting, positive impression.
  
  
  
• Bensaude Hotels Collection: The sustainability approach of this group is highlighted in the Bensaude Hotels Collection AI Booking Assistant, designed to guide guests through their booking experience. Through this tool, customers can access detailed information about the hotel’s eco-friendly initiatives, such as its sustainability certifications and responsible practices.
  
  The Booking Assistant not only emphasises Bensaude’s commitment to the environment but also provides direct access to a dedicated page that delves into its sustainability efforts. There, guests can explore how the collection promotes environmentally friendly activities and aligns with social responsibility measures, all in an effort to contribute to the well-being of the local community and the care of the planet.

These examples show that both independent hotels and large chains can integrate sustainable hospitality practices without affecting service quality, attracting guests who value environmental commitment.

Hotel Sustainability Certification

Obtaining a hotel sustainability certification can position sustainable and eco-friendly hotels as leaders in the sector. Recognised certifications such as Llave Verde, LEED, or EarthCheck validate ecological commitment and attract guests interested in green hotels. These certifications provide a framework for improving and maintaining sustainable practices in the daily operations of each hotel.

4. Sustainable Practices in Hotels: A Guide to Implementing and Maintaining Green Standards

For sustainability to be a lasting practice in eco-friendly hotels, it is essential to follow these recommendations:

1. Measure and adjust: Keeping track of progress in energy efficiency, water savings, and waste management is key. Integrating CSAT metrics to measure customer satisfaction with the hotel’s sustainable practices allows for the identification of areas for improvement and adaptation to guest expectations.
   
   
2. Engage the staff: An informed and committed team makes all the difference. Quickly communicating changes in sustainable policies helps implement practices such as adjusting towel and sheet changes to reduce water consumption.
   
   
3. Listen to guests: Collecting and analysing feedback helps improve and adapt eco-friendly initiatives to meet customer expectations.
   
   
4. Gain recognition: Participating in sustainability awards or registering on eco-tourism platforms highlights achievements and helps attract more bookings.

How to Communicate Your Hotel’s Sustainability Initiatives

HiJiffy is an innovative platform that enables hotels to communicate with their guests throughout their entire stay experience, from booking to check-out. With tools that enhance interaction and efficiency, HiJiffy helps hotels highlight their sustainable initiatives and engage customers in their eco-friendly commitment. Here are some examples of how each functionality can help you convey your green initiatives:

During making a reservation with the AI Booking Assistant

The AI Booking Assistant is a tool designed to simplify the booking process and provide a personalised experience for guests. This assistant can answer questions about eco-friendly options, offering details on green-certified rooms and carbon offset packages. Additionally, it allows guests to explore the hotel’s eco-friendly amenities, such as biodegradable toiletries and in-room recycling systems.

• Information about eco-friendly options: Provide guests with a clear and concise list of available eco-friendly rooms and services, such as rooms with green certifications (e.g., LEED or Llave Verde). You can include descriptions of how resource use is reduced, allowing guests to select options that align with the values of your eco-friendly hotels.
  
  
• Simplified Booking Guide: Assist guests at every step of the booking process, highlighting eco-friendly accommodation options and environmentally friendly services. Use icons or labels to indicate sustainable elements, such as “eco-friendly”.
  
  
• Dynamic Pop-Up Message Campaigns: Use pop-up messages on the website to inform guests about specific initiatives, such as a campaign to donate a percentage of their bookings to conservation projects.
  
  
• Omnichannel Solution: Ensure guests can make sustainability inquiries at any time through multiple channels (WhatsApp, Messenger, web chat), providing efficient accessibility and communication.
  
  
• Integration with Hotel Platforms: Ensure that the HiJiffy system is synchronised with hotel management systems (PMS), content management (CMS), customer relationship management (CRM), marketing, maintenance, and other hospitality tools. This integration keeps information about eco-friendly services, such as local product menus or carbon offset programmes, up to date. For instance, by integrating HiJiffy with a maintenance system, you can schedule resource-efficient usage and ensure that hotel facilities, like low-flow taps, are always in optimal condition to reduce water consumption.
  
  
• Brand Customisation: Adapt the design of the digital assistant to include visual elements and messages that reflect sustainability, such as green colours and recycled materials.
  

During Arrival, Stay, and Departure with the AI Virtual Concierge

The AI Virtual Concierge assists guests throughout their stay, from check-in to check-out. This tool adapts to guests’ needs, providing relevant information about sustainable activities and helping to maximise their experience in eco-friendly hotels.

• Online Check-in and Check-out: Streamline the arrival and departure process with a system that allows guests to complete these procedures without the need to print documents, eliminating paper use.
  
  
• Room Upgrade Messages: Before arrival, send guests options to upgrade to eco-certified rooms, informing them about the sustainability benefits of these rooms.
  
  
• Information on sustainable activities: Provide guests with information on composting workshops, ecotourism excursions, or visits to local markets that promote organic products.
  
  
• Automated Request Management: Set up the system to automatically handle requests regarding sustainable practices, such as adjustments in cleaning services or the frequency of towel changes.
  
  
• Personalised Upselling and Cross-Selling: Offer additional eco-friendly products and services, such as biodegradable toiletry kits, environmentally-related experiences, bicycle rentals, or environmental education activities. Send automated messages to guests during their stay to promote these sustainable options, helping them enjoy a more conscious and responsible experience.
  
  
• Automated WhatsApp Messages: Enables automated communication through this platform, keeping guests informed about your sustainable practices.
  
  
• Guest reviews and satisfaction surveys: Set up the system to collect feedback on your eco-friendly practices through surveys, helping to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments to sustainability initiatives based on guest expectations.
  

Conclusion

Sustainability in the hotel industry is no longer an option; it is a necessity. Eco-friendly hotels that implement sustainable policies not only attract guests seeking authentic and environmentally respectful experiences but also contribute significantly to the care of the planet and the development of a local community. Adopting sustainable practices is undoubtedly an investment in the future and a commitment to global well-being.

By using advanced communication tools, you can highlight your sustainable initiatives and genuinely connect with your guests, showing that your eco-friendly hotels are truly committed to positive change. Join the movement towards more responsible tourism and make a difference, one stay at a time!