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

 

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.

 

Assisting Hotels With Sustainable Goals

Today we will take a look at two companies that help hotels improve facilities, enhance efficiency, and cut costs. Two notable companies, Evolve and Inncom, are particularly important within the hotel industry, because of the innovative technology that they employ.  These firms entire mission is to help other companies meet and surpass sustainable goals.  There are many certifications that hotels can obtain to showcase their socially responsible initiatives.   Evolve and Inncom help hotels reach these standards, by decreasing their overall energy consumption. We will analyze the effects that these subsidiary businesses have on major hotel chains.

In the past many hotels relied on the housekeeping staff to limit energy usage.  These individuals would be responsible for making sure that lights were turned off when no guests were in a particular room, or they would be tasked with lowering the thermostat during routine cleaning. But, this still did not solve the problem for many hoteliers. Energy costs can often be 4 to 6% of total revenue (or more) for many hotels.  Over 50% of these costs come from heating and air conditioning. The next highest cost comes from lighting.  This expense can average about 15% of most hotels total energy consumption.  But, there are many ways to lower these percentages that help hotels become more sustainable in the process. Companies like Evolve and Inncom help hotels fight these rising expenditures by automating guest room control systems.

A guest room management system is a structure that connects guest rooms with the central control system. Currently, there are several arrangements that comprehensively manage heat and light settings to maximize the use of resources while optimizing guest comfort.  This proves the holistic benefit to hotels of guest room control systems, since the customer experience is always of the utmost importance.

For example, Evolve’s energy management systems can sense when someone is in the room.  When no one is present, the system adjusts energy utilization appropriately.  This system is priced at a relatively low cost with respect to the high benefits.  Additionally, Evolve has created a simple touch-screen control panel that can be installed in each hotel room.  This tool provides differentiating value that helps guests “feel like they’re just a little bit more at home…even if they’re thousands of miles away” (Evolve Guest Controls.) Adding value through innovative programs like this helps differentiate hotels through their sustainable practices.

Alternately, Inncom has many sustainable solutions that help hotels save energy while supporting customer comfort.  The range of options that a hotel can implement depend on how much they want to spend.  But, solutions like Inncom’s “ecoMODE” program make it easy for hotels to implement facility changes.  This technology allows guests to press a button on the thermostat to opt-in to the hotel’s conservation program. Systems of this type can be linked with other sustainability programs for a comprehensive effect.  Check out more about Inncom’s custom solutions here.

Overall, Evolve and Inncom are industry leaders that are helping hotels sustain socially responsible practices in a cost-effective manner.  The implementation of guest room control systems allows hotels to become one step closer to sustainability.