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

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

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

Welcome to Week 2!

Hello Readers, 

This week we will be discussing analytical explorations, meaning that we will be informing you more and more about our topic and the importance of it. Each post will have a central point involving you all where we will be discussing our argument that has been linked to our mission statement. We hope you enjoy!

 

-The Sustainable Hospitality Group

Value of Small Hotel Chains

Small inns, B&Bs and independent brands are a niche that must execute the right implementation and the right strategy in order to provide value and gain market share within the hotel industry. Our mission is to go beyond well-known names and big chains and really focus on the value that smaller inns provide to attract guests and draw them away from the major players in the game, which is explained in the About section.

A teacher quoted in thegaurdian.com, states that the best practices are in small hotels, as he is referring to sustainable ecotourism.With smaller hotels, it is much easier to adopt sustainability because of the smaller scale of the hotel. Cutting prices is more attainable and with a smaller staff the culture of the company is more consistent through their practices. The smaller hotels also typically provide more transparency with their customers and with their employees, which show that the hotels are genuine with their engagements and beliefs. This adds value for the company, the employees and to the customers, which incentivizes them to return.

 

In addition to winning customers over with sustainability, and shared beliefs and values, small chains are notorious for their exceptional customer service and providing an intimate exciting experience. Boutiques aren’t as common in the US as they are abroad but they are quickly starting up all over the world now and using ecotourism to their advantage. The one thing that many people appreciate from these boutiques, are the personalized service that they receive, which is rare in larger chains.

 

The biggest change and adoption that customers have the hardest time with, is the move away from the bigger chains and the compromises they must make with sustainability. Big chains such as the Marriot, the Hyatt and the Hilton are all companies that have been in business for many many years and have built their name and their brand. Those larger well-known hotels are comfortable for many people, and many customers may have difficulties of straying away from those chains if they don’t know what the smaller inns have to offer. Secondly, many people love the idea of “green” and sustainability, but many don’t realize the compromises they must make to do their part. This includes but is not limited to, paying a higher price for the stay, being conservative of water or energy, or even compromising luxuries that non-sustainable hotels provide.

 

Small hotels have proven that with the right practices they are able to obtain a competitive advantage over larger hotel chains. Boutiques and B&Bs have unique value that many people are beginning to choose over larger brands. For more advantages on small hotels visit USAToday‘s article.

 

Follow along our Facebook and Twitter for fun facts about small inns and how they practice sustainability.

 

-Julie

Hyatt Thrive

Hyatt has been making a splash in the hospitality industry by rolling out their new sustainability platform “Hyatt Thrive .” Hyatt’s motto for Hyatt Thrive is to make this a place where their employees want to work, hoteliers want to visit, their neighbors are proud to live next to them, and business men and women want to invest in them. Hyatt stands firm in their belief that no one knows and understands their companies issues, and the solutions to those issues except for the people working and living around them. Hyatt is proud to give their program, Hyatt Thrive, many different resources to be able to help fix the needs for many different places all over the globe to help create a widespread global impact.

Thrive has invested in more than 95,000 employees in over 500 locations globally to bring together people of all different types. Their main goal is to focus on local projects that effect the communities success, future and prosperity. According to the Hyatt Thrive website, “this programs design draws on the knowledge and insight of a global cross section of stakeholders-including corporate leadership, property owners and associates throughout our organization, community leaders and guests (HyattThrive.com).”

This hotel branch has four main areas that it focuses on to better its companies communities. Hyatt focuses on environmental sustainability, economic development and investment, education and personal advancement and health and wellness. Hyatt believes that through each of these main ideas it will achieve the success and desires that it wants. In my later posts I will go more into detail about what each of these programs entail.

In Hyatt’s Human Rights Statement the hotel explains its goals for the community, its stakeholders, its employees and customers. The hotels main goal is to “make a difference in the lives of the people we touch everyday.” The most important part of this statement, is that fact that Hyatt wants to manage its business in a way that is parallel to fundamental human rights. For example, some of there main strategies along with sustainability, include protection of the rights of children and elimination of human trafficking. This statement just shows that this company is not only trying to better themselves as a corporation, but they are trying to improve the world around them as well.

In this video from Hyatt’s CEO, Mark Hoplamazian, describes how Hyatt Thrive is building on its history of community engagement and environmental stewardship. Through their environmental sustainability program Hyatt has been reducing consumption of resources, waste and emissions of their hotels while still protecting the areas surrounding their hotels. They are continuously boosting local economic growth and development opportunities for people and businesses in the areas surrounding their hotels as well. Most importantly, they focus on health and wellness. Their companies motto is to provide authentic hospitality.

Lastly, this is an interactive map that shows what different Hyatt Thrive properties around the world are doing to better the communities around them.

As you can see, Hyatt is doing some amazing things around the globe. I hope you are just as excited as I am to read about them in these upcoming weeks!

Enjoy,

Taylor

 

 

 

 

Why should hotels care about sustainability?

In the current marketplace it is hard for consumers to distinguish between the variety of different hotel options. Individuals are looking at things that make certain hotels different, since there are so many hotels of similar caliber.

It is easy for individuals to find a good deal on their lodging with little hassle through prevalent booking websites like Expedia.com, Hotels.com, and Booking.com.  But, this model forces hotels to become increasingly competitive, and ultimately price sensitive due to the similarity between accommodations.  An article by William Reed Business Media states that:

“The continued use of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) is contributing to the increased commoditisation of certain areas of the hotel industry, with hoteliers now having to work harder to add a point of difference and focus on ‘value’ rather than price.”

(Read more here.)

A product or service  becomes a commodity when members of a particular class become the same.  This has evidently occurred in the case of hotels and there is little that can be done to reverse this scenario.

Some hotels tackle this problem by cutting costs in every way possible.  For example, it is common to see hotels adding a charge for WIFI, or toiletries.  But this approach often leaves customers frustrated, and it can damage branding.  This business model is particularly ineffective for higher-end chains.

The best way for hoteliers to differentiate their properties is by adding substantial points of difference to their value proposition.  Mark Lewis, managing director of Hotel Rez asks:

“If you’re a consumer and you’re looking at a website and all of the hotels look pretty much the same, then on what basis are you selecting that hotel?  It will be based on something else – a ‘value’ that the hotel is offering with the rates.”

One of the most effective ways to do this is to enact socially responsible initiatives.

Watch this short video to see some evidence for the increasing importance of socially responsible practices:

Overall, there are many recent statistics that support consumers’ interest in sustainable practices, and there are many different ways for hotels to achieve these sustainable goals.  Not only will many socially responsible practices add value to hotels, but also these same initiatives can help hotels cut costs.

This blog will continually showcase socially responsible practices that specific hotels have enacted, while drawing attention to the companies that helped them achieve these goals along the way.  The importance of socially responsible initiatives for creating value and cutting costs is paramount, and all market leaders are taking note. Sustainable initiatives can be enacted in many forms, so hotels should fulfill the methods that are best for their size and service type. For example, certain hotels focus more on giving back to society and others primarily emphasis programs that improve efficiency or help the environment.

Look out for our next post to learn more about sustainability and #efficiency.  Also, follow along on our Facebook and Twitter pages to get additional updates!

-Lisa

 

Stay Tuned for our First Blog Post of the Week!

 

 

 

Informative Foundations Week

Welcome readers! This week in our blog posts we will be discussing our overarching topic: Sustainable Hospitality. We will delve into why sustainability adds value to hotels.  Then, each blogger will be discussing their selected topic, whether that be The Hyatt, The Hilton, The Marriot, or small chain hotels. We will be showing what each of these facilities is doing to be sustainable along with how this affects their customers, and the industry they are in and the pros to being a sustainable establishment. Along with posting research that we have learned about our topic, we will also be posting links to other information that we feel is valuable to you to help you understand why this topic is so important. We hope you enjoy this week of posts and we hope that this topic becomes as important to you as it is to us!

 

Enjoy,

The Sustainable Hopitality Group

Sustainable Hospitality