Exemplary Sustainability at Hilton WorldWide

As we’ve seen, many companies within the hotel industry change their hotels to be sustainable because of the appeal to the consumer, and while Hilton is one of these companies they also do so much more to better sustainability across the globe. Now that it is more or less cost efficient for hotels to spend the extra money to become sustainable it is hard to distinguish the hotels that are making the switch to make money and those that are making the switch because they genuinely care about the well being of the planet.

Hilton goes above and beyond the expectations of a “sustainable hotel”by trying to improve global sustainability for a selfless cause. In the beginning of 2014 Hilton Worldwide partnered up with Sundance Institute to create the Hilton LightStay Sustainability Award. This award is one that promotes the spread of knowledge (similar to this blog) by recognizing exceptional documentary films which divulge into the issues surrounding sustainability. The four documentaries that were chosen to receive this award this year were The Island President, Easy Like Water, Solar Mamas, and From the Mara. Each documentary explored climate change and the effects in third world countries. By getting promotional marketing from Hilton’s award more and more people are watching these documentaries and becoming educated about the topic.

 

Below is the video of Hilton’s LightStay Sustainability Award that explains how the award causes the spread of knowledge.

 

Before the expansion into global #sustainability like the LightStay Award, Hilton had a concrete formula for change within the company that allowed them to continuously improve. In the Flow Chart below, Hilton WorldWide shows how they envision sustainability reaching its full potential across the #hospitality industry. Within each hotel, it is important do more than just try to make improvements. Once the sustainable changes have been made to the hotel it is imperative to measure their success, follow up with a #CSR report, and most importantly learn from what went well and what didn’t. Using these means of improvement is how Hilton achieved exemplary sustainability and I believe that other chains would do well do learn from Hilton example.

 

Such a selfless drive for sustainability is the goal across the hotel industry but in reality there is no definite end goal. Hotel consumers and Hotel chains need to work with and off each other to keep #change continuous. Spreading change and knowledge of sustainability is the only way that the hospitality industry will have a key, long lasting effect on sustainability world wide.

Hyatt leading the way in sustainability.

In my week one post I educated the readers on what the hotel chain, Hyatt is doing to lead the way in the hotel industry regarding sustainability. Hyatt has named their global corporate social responsibility platform, “Hyatt Thrive”. Hyatt Thrive is designed to make Hyatt’s communities, places where their associates are proud to work, their guests want to visit, their neighbors want to live and their owners want to invest.

Hyatt Thrive has more than 95,000 associates working for them at over 500 properties around the world. Hyatt’s goal is to bring together teams of passionate people to focus on local projects that contribute to the prosperity and well-being of their communities. Hyatt has four areas that they are focusing on to help the community around them thrive.

The first of the four areas is environmental sustainability. This area of Hyatt Thrive is focused on the commitment to implement more sustainable business practices across their operations. Through a program in their environmental sustainability process, Hyatt Earth, they have been measuring the environmental performance of their managed, full-service hotels against a 2006 baseline. They have continued to set goals to reduce the energy and water they use, the waste they send to landfills, and the greenhouse gases they emit. Hyatt’s environmental sustainability commitment has been based on a simple phrase, “leveraging innovative strategies that reflect the unique environment of their properties around the world, harness the passion of their associates to deliver change and rigorously track and measure their progress.”

Hyatt has initiated Green Teams that help make positive changes in their hotels and communities around the world. Some green teams in action are taking place in Baku, Azerbajin, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Chicago, Illinois, Santiago, Chile and Kauai, Hawaii.

Hyatt is also responsible for their Global Initiatives program which includes the linen reuse program, reducing their resource consumption, carbon emission and waste and their properties. Hyatt has developed a sustainable building design for the construction of their new hotels that are being built currently and for the renovation of their existing hotels around the world. Hyatt will be addressing the siting, design and construction of their buildings and incorporate technology and design

features to help them operate more efficiently by conserving resources and incorporating environmentally preferable materials.

Click this link to see some of the responsible purchasing that Hyatt is doing. Some examples include:

      1. Packaging amenities like shampoo and lotion in bottles made of recycled plastic.

      2. Switching to Zero-VOC paint.

      3.  Offering sustainability and responsibly sourced menu options.

Hyatt has produced a video called “Hyatt Earth in Action” which explains some of the projects they are working on, the progress they have made and their goals for the future.

This only on a small portion of what Hyatt as a hotel chain is doing to help the environment and the people in it. Some other programs to check out that Hyatt has established is their economic development and investment page where they discuss how they are constantly creating jobs for the community, and the disaster relief that they provide the communities surrounding the Hyatt hotels. Their education and personal advancement page where Hyatt discusses the money they are investing in children’s education to help better the community around them. And their last page, the health and wellness program. This page is devoted to explaining how important living a healthy lifestyle is not only for their employees, but also for Hyatt’s guests, associates and the community around them.

As you can see, Hyatt is leading the way in the hotel industry with their amazing work in sustainability. They are not only a successful hotel that guests love to stay at, but they are also helping the environment and trying to better the people in this world. Hyatt is a business that all hotels should strive to be like.

 

Enjoy!

-Taylor

The Red Lion Inn Practices Sustainability

This week we will focus on the eco-sustainability of a small boutique called The Red Lion Inn. The Red Lion Inn is a small, unique inn that not only has a warm feel to it, but concentrates its efforts on the beliefs of being eco friendly and practicing sustainability. The practices of this small inn has not only gained them loyal customers but has given them a competitive advantage amongst other hotels, larger chains and other small inns.

Red Lion Inn stated that,

“community and sustainability are in our DNA.”

This means that community and sustainability is apart of who they who they are as a company and a culture. Every part of their company and the business that they conduct in is centered on respecting the environment and doing what is best for their community. Social responsibility is a big part of the way that Red Lion Inn runs their business. This is something that not only the community appreciates, but will attract clients and keep them coming back. With great reviews and people ranting about the business practices of Red Lion Inn, word of mouth has also spread which also refers new clients to the boutique.

A few ways that Red Lion Inn practices sustainability is first and foremost buying locally. Not only does it provide for their community but also it reduces their carbon footprint. They buy from local farmers and they purchase furniture, linens, and contractors all locally to keep up with their vision of community and sustainability. Even the things such as jewelry, cards, lotions, and soaps are all locally produced. This is a great way to practice sustainability and in addition, all local purchases are the highest-quality goods and services. Apart from buying locally they do their part for the environment by using carefully chosen green products, upgrading to eco windows and water saving plants and landscape.

The Red Lion Inn was established in 1773 and their visions has not changed much since then. This is a boutique hotel that has evolved with time and society but never change their culture and their strong relationship with the community. Red Lion Inn has a homey old-town feel to it, a place that people really feel connected with. With the sustainability and efforts that Red Lion has put into their business, they have gotten a head start into eco-sustainability in the hospitality industry. They have set themselves apart from other boutiques and other larger chains trying to migrate into the mindset that Red Lion has had for many years.

#sustainability #smallerchains #competitiveadvantage #ecotourism

Market Leader, Marriott, Leads the Way in Sustainability

There are several hotel chains that dominate the hospitality industry, and these companies have proven the importance of #sustainability in their business models. Specifically, Marriott has taken into account many different ways that the brand can give back to the #community, while preserving the #environment.  The organization as a whole does a phenomenal job of taking different #stakeholders into account.

J.W. Marriott, Jr. states that:

“Our success depends on being true to this purpose: to provide the opportunity for rewarding travel experiences for our guests, the opportunity for personal and professional growth for our associates, and the opportunity for a better and more sustainable future in the communities where we live and work.”

This deep rooted mantra shows the strong dedication that Marriott has towards enacting socially responsible initiatives (making the world a better place.) In particular the two larger directives that Marriott focuses attention to are the environment and society. All of their initiatives address one of these two areas, while maintaining high ethical standards.  The substantiation of these ideals fuels growth and innovation.  This dedication to an overall vision truly shows that Marriott’s leaders understand the importance of sustainability.

Marriott implements several tactics to reduce their #footprint.  For example, the organization is committed to decreasing consumption.  This means that hotel managers prioritize the importance of using resources to their fullest extent. Programs that support this goal include methods to improve energy efficiency or reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint.

Another way that Marriott helps the environment is by developing “green hotels.”  This is a common practice that Marriott implements for many of its newest hotels.  These facilities have top-of-the-line lighting and water fixtures.  Therefore, the creation of these “green hotels” aligns perfectly with the brand’s overall efficiency goals. Hotels of this nature are often LEED certified (meaning that the building has met high specifications set by the US Green Building Council.)

A third way that Marriott helps sustain the environment is by encouraging hotel guests to support the company on their mission.  For example, different Marriott branches promote Environmental Awareness month.  Also, Marriott hotels gently remind guests to reuse their towels and linens to save water.

On the other hand, Marriott also achieves socially responsible initiatives that support local communities, and  society as a whole.  This leading organization has partnerships with  the American Red Cross to help people whose homes are afflicted by  natural disasters.  Also, Marriott employees volunteer with Habitat for  Humanity to build  homes for those in need.  All of these actions  contribute to Marriott’s  ultimate mission of providing people will  exceptional food and shelter.

Furthermore, Marriott has programs that help society on the individual level as well. The company has several different programs targeted at people who are disadvantaged in some way including: bridging the gap for the homeless with job training, and helping young people that have less opportunity.

Overall, Marriott is very transparent in the presentation of its sustainability goals and programs.  The organization does an excellent job in proving the value of social responsibility for hotels.  Actions that help preserve the environment or better society are extremely important in todays marketplace, and no brand can afford to take these things for granted.

Check out their website to learn more about what Marriott has been up to!

#sustainability #hospitality #growth #environment #society #socialresponsibility

 

Exemplary Examples Week!

Hello Readers!
Welcome to week three of blog posts! This week we will be discussing ‘exemplary examples’ where we will inform you about companies and organizations that are doing an above and beyond job performing sustainability in the hotel industry. This is an important week because this really shows you how these efficient principles are put into real life situations.

Enjoy,

The Hotel Sustainability Group

#HOTELCSR #sustainability #goinggreen #CSR #efficiency #conserve #environment #HyattThrive #HiltonCSR #MarriottCSR

Hotel Sustainability Facts

Eco-tourism and sustainability are efforts that started almost 25 years ago but are becoming more and more important in the industry today. Clients are starting to look for hotels that practice these initiatives and are willing to spend more money for the hotels that align with their values and beliefs.

o Beginning in 1990s, ecotourism has been growing 20% – 34% per year.

 

o Analysts predict a growth in eco-resorts and hotels, and a boom in nature tourism — a sector already growing at 20% a year — and suggest early converts to sustainable tourism will make market gains.

Facts and information can be found at mekongtourism.org.

#sustainability #csr #hotels #ecotourism #eco-resorts

Consumer’s Have More Power Than They Think

So we have explored the ways that different hotels have already started taking the initiative to become sustainable, but now we need to ask ourselves why this is important and moreover how as hotel  goers can we act as a catalyst for change? The mission of this blog was to give readers insight into sustainability in the hospitality industry; however, one key take away is understanding how much power you, the hotel user, has.

While sustainability in all companies is important because of the positive effects it has on the world, it is more important for business in the hospitality industry because it adds value to the business as a whole. Customers are knowingly seeking out business that are sustainable because they want their consuming to be beneficial in the big picture. Enough drive for sustainability from the hotel consumers will yield more and more hotels finding it cost effective to be completely sutainable.

There are several different ways that sustainability adds value to hotels more than other businesses which is why CSR in the hospitality industry is so important. One major way that CSR is value adding in hotels more than other business is that hotels require a large amount of fixed costs i.e. gas and electric, water, and land. By making these features pull from sustainable sources like solar panels, it will reduce the fixed costs of the hotel in the long run. Yes, the upfront cost of installation will be more; however, hotels are long-lasting entities and using sustainable features is cost efficient in the long run.

Below is a flow chart to illustrate how consumers drive change:

 

How do we know that our impact as consumers haven’t already caused sustainable change throughout all hotels? The following is just one example of how uneducated consumers actually forced a hotel to be unsustainable in order to conduct business:

The Hilton Hotel in San Francisco, CA installed a self-regulating air temperature system which negated the need for an A.C. system in the room, but people simply would not rent a room without an A.C. system in the so they had to install an unnecessary one in each room. This was not only an extraneous cost, but it reduced the sustainable motivation that the Hilton had because of consumer demands.

Here’s another Hilton branch in the Bay Area that has learned from this incident as is trying to adapt.

Coming full circle we see that the consumers drive change. You create the value in sustainability and the value in sustainability is in the eyes of the consumers which is why it is continuously crucial for hotel users to be educated in their power in creating sustainable hotels.

 

Check out this short video about how consumers will pay more for sustainable goods and services:

Sources:

http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2012/07/12/carbon-cabbage-rolls-hilton-measures-sustainability

http://cr.hiltonworldwide.com/sustainably/sustainability_lightStay.html

http://www.concordhilton.com/sustainability/

 

Importance of Hotel Sustainability

Check out this Infographic about Hotel Sustainability!

 

 

Why Go Green?

One of the most important questions I am sure that most of you are asking yourself is, why go green, what is the benefit to practicing sustainability in hotels? In our mission statement we talk a lot about providing insights about sustainability in the hospitality industry. Our main goal is to educate people about the benefits that sustainability and efficiency can have. Based on research that we have done, we are seeing that consumers are increasingly seeking accommodations with companies that share their same values.

Going green is becoming not only a positive choice, but also a trend throughout the hotel world. According to this article about sustainability, economic benefits can be gained in hotels through implementing environmental and social initiatives. There are many benefits to choosing an environmentally sustainable strategy. For example, gaining competitive advantage by being a leader in the sector, customer loyalty, employee retention, awards and recognitions, regulatory compliance, risk management, and increased brand value. But most importantly, because in this day in age, it is the right thing to do!

Since the 1990s because of fluctuating economic levels, hotels have begun to implement efficient practices like pollution prevention, energy consumption and recycling. According to an article released by the Business Case for Sustainability, the Holiday Inn in Toronto has saved $14,852 per year through an installation of low flow showerheads and faucet aerators, and The Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto has invested $25,000 in an energy consumption program to replace leaky steam traps and fix leaks, which resulted in an annual savings of over $200,000.

Beyond rules and regulations and compliance issues, most sustainability programs are voluntary. Hotels may be driven to save money or to implement a certain strategy. Whatever the reason, the hotel industry is recognizing that the environment is an important part of the Earth, which continually needs to be treated carefully.

‘Going green’ means everything from your staff, to your guests, to the management of the hotel, to the hotel itself. Being sustainable and efficient correlates directly with your bottom line. Which ultimately in the end means bringing back guests time and time again because they are satisfied with the quality of your hotel. Being efficient translates back to a bottom line when a hotel is introducing energy-saving measures to be taken.

Hyatt is a prime example of a hotel that is taking an initiative to being sustainable and efficient. Hyatt has introduced a program called “Global Initiatives”, “which focuses on educating and engaging our associates in positive environmental action and implementing sustainable practices to reduce resource consumption, carbon emissions and waste at our properties (HyattThrive.com).” Hyatt has introduced “Green Teams”, “A Hyatt Earth Training Program”, “a Meet and Be Green program” and many other programs to show that they are dedicated to ‘going green’.

Hotels are using programs like the “linen re-use program”, which helps preserve and protect the environment by reducing the consumption of energy, water and chemicals to implement into their sustainability programs.

This chart to the right shows the progress and goals that Hyatt has set for itself. The hotel gathered data monthly to help benchmark their performance their improvement as well.

Last, here are some interesting stats to think about:

These two charts have shown us how much money a hotel can save if they just put a little time and energy into their sustainability programs. Hotels are not only helping the environment but they are gaining customers and saving themselves money, in the end it seems like a win win situation.

Going green is a choice, and many hotels in the industry choose to be efficient and some choose not to. But, when it comes down to it, sooner or later every hotel needs to make that choice to be sustainable. It is good for the environment, helps reduce cost overall and at the end of the day, brings in loyal customers that are going to keep coming back. Going green has become a movement that is slowly picking up speed throughout the world. I suggest hotels hop on before it’s too late, they  won’t regret it!

-Taylor

Check out these videos for more info!

If you want to learn more about guest room control systems made by INNCOM & Evolve, check out these videos! Both of these companies are helping hotels implement efficiency upgrades at a fairly low cost.  Energy costs are expected to largely increase within the next ten years, so now is the time to improve the energy use of your building.