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
CSR in the Hospitality Industry 