With valuable resources being depleted at a frightening rate, eco-friendly solutions that tackle climate change in the hospitality industry have become more important than ever.
Going green is now a necessity and, just as business owners do their best to demonstrate a commitment to a low-carbon future, their potential guests have become more eco-conscious about their travel decisions. This article offers advice on how to implement and promote ethical values effectively to attract even the most discerning eco-conscious visitor.
Rise of Sustainable Trips and Slow Travel
Today, the trend in travellers searching and prioritising sustainable hotels and venues to stay in, at home and abroad, is continuing to rise. Recent studies reveal that 45% of people in the UK think sustainable travel is important, and this surge in eco-friendly tourism stems from a heightened awareness of the detrimental impact of travelling anywhere. This has also been amplified by the media’s role in promoting alternative travel choices alongside a growing desire for travellers to minimise their disruption to places they explore across the world.
Therefore, responsible tourism and “slow travel” have experienced growth with more travellers than ever opting to travel by train instead of flying. They want to participate in eco-friendly activities while they’re away, from beach clean-ups to cultural events so they can contribute to and integrate with local communities. Arguably, eco-aware travellers can connect with and understand an unfamiliar country’s customs. In turn, they have an authentic experience that extends beyond the typical tourist traps and also helps to negate damage caused by over-tourism.
Source From the Locals
The farm-to-table movement has equally evolved into being a fundamental part of sustainable hospitality. Today’s eco-conscious guests will search eateries and browse menus to understand where most, if not, all of the food, produce, and ingredients originate from. Environmentally-responsible guests will appreciate if a breakfast counter or cafe serves artisan and specialty bread options in the same way they might want to establish if that venue is a family-run business.
Similarly, hotels that share a long standing connection with community-run sellers or tradesmen often hold the advantage if they want to attract guests with ethical values. Delivering a realistic experience can resonate strongly with first-time visitors and make them likely to return again and again. An establishment that offers homegrown food and fresh, seasonal vegetables or meat sourced from local farmers is more likely to impress and earn respect from guests who are eager to see genuine sustainability credentials.
Forging strong relationships with farmers and other local suppliers can demonstrate that you share the guests’ care towards the environment and are equally as passionate about supporting the local economy. While you might communicate and showcase your sustainable partnerships online, in person these authentic relationships often yield interesting back stories and can help to create memorable dining experiences.
Meanwhile, venues are creating their own on-site kitchen gardens, even in limited spaces to provide ultra-fresh ingredients as well as to brilliantly highlight their commitment to sustainability, and making every effort to:
- cut costs, reduce waste and mitigate food and other vehicle delivery emissions
- repurpose water for non-drinking uses like irrigation and laundry
- provide a safe space for local wildlife with bee hotels on site to support ecosystems
- organise guided biodiversity tours
Communicate Your Green Credentials
Forward-thinking hospitality businesses are implementing innovative solutions across operations to minimise their environmental impact. When it comes to transport, for example, properties are installing Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations and providing alternative and sustainable transport for guests to help them explore an area safely on public transport, bicycles, and e-scooters.
Leisure and spa facilities present a great opportunity to significantly reduce a hotel’s environmental impact. Progressive properties are sourcing locally made, plastic-free welcome gifts and collaborating with eco-certified spa product suppliers, while single-use toiletries are being replaced with refillable dispensers containing organic products. Modern facilities are similarly boosting their sustainability targets with eco-conscious designs, interiors, and services such as:
- filtering swimming pools with sophisticated natural systems to minimise chemical use for purer water
- fitting gym and fitness centres with energy-efficient equipment
- adding outdoor exercise areas that connect guests with nature
- using energy-efficient laundry, biodegradable detergents
- recycling water and materials in carpeting
Ultimately, hotel rooms and facilities can benefit from an eco-friendly makeover, whether that means incorporating sustainable materials to minimise energy input or teaming up with local companies, builders, and artists. In doing so, they can commission bespoke furniture and decor made from ethically-sourced materials or resources from the local area.
In summary, hotels and venues across the UK hospitality industry continue to make considerable steps to go greener and let visitors know what their sustainability goals are. Whether currently renovating a whole hotel or just one part of the premises, it’s important to effectively market any green credentials to potential guests and partners. People want transparency and tangible evidence of environmental commitment. So, publish a comprehensive breakdown of strategies on a website, across social media pages, and in brochures to promote how far a venue has progressed and to promote any future environmental aims.
Therefore, as a business owner in hospitality, understanding the value of sustainability should be an integral factor across your operations and for a future outlook. From the energy that powers accommodation to the food in the restaurants, every decision is an invaluable chance to prove environmental responsibility and enhance the guests’ experience. The key to success lies in maintaining authenticity in sustainable initiatives and creating meaningful connections with guests who share eco-conscious values.