Sustainable tourism and hotels. How to make your property greener

The watchword for the hospitality sector of the future is undoubtedly sustainable tourism. According to a Booking.com analysis from 2021, 92% of Italian travelers think that sustainable travel is of extreme importance. Furthermore, 57% are interested in travelling in a more sustainable way in the future. But let’s see what this term means and how hoteliers can not only align with the trend, but also reap benefits.

What does sustainable tourism mean?

Sustainable tourism is a new way of traveling that focuses on the respect for the environment and local communities. As seen from the Booking.com survey, more and more travelers are showing sensitivity to the care for creation. Which is now becoming a widespread necessity. Yet, there is no sustainable guest identikit. He can be a green tourist, who plans his trip to limit his impact on the environment as much as possible. Or a traveler who simply prefers to book in a sustainable property. In any case, hotels must question their environmental footprint. Both to contribute to the care of the world we live in, and to meet the needs of more and more travelers.
 
The World Tourism Organization identifies three characteristics to define sustainable tourism:
  • Environmental resources must be protected;
  • Local communities must benefit from this type of tourism. Both in terms of income and quality of life;
  • Visitors must have a quality experience.
Sustainable tourism seeks to cut the impact on the environment and society while generating employment and the conservation of local ecosystems. To achieve this goal, yet, the properties themselves must become sustainable.

What are eco-sustainable hotels?

Sustainable hotels are properties that respect the environment and aim to reduce their impact in various ways. For example, by reducing energy consumption, using renewable sources, eliminating waste and saving water. Furthermore, sustainable hotels wish to preserve and protect their territory and their communities.

Hotel Green 2

What can a hotel do to be sustainable?

It may seem like a long process, but the measures to transform your property into a sustainable hotel are simple and within everyone’s reach. There are small interventions that can define each accommodation facility a sustainable hotel:
  1. Install renewable energy sources such as solar panels for hot water.
  2. Use low consumption light bulbs.
  3. Offer guests organic food at Km 0, with vegetarian and vegan alternatives.
  4. Properly dispose of waste and also equip the rooms with containers for separate collection.
  5. Propose a more sustainable mobility in the surroundings of the hotel. For example by renting bicycles or giving the possibility to recharge electric cars.
  6. Reduce plastic packaging. For example by eliminating single-dose packaging and choosing reusable and empty returnable containers.
  7. Ask guests to help reduce waste. By placing name tags in the room or by email or telephone before the stay.
  8. Use low-consumption and Class A appliances, such as washing machines, freezers, dishwashers, TVs, etc.
  9. Offer organic and fair trade products in the rooms. This will show the commitment not only towards the environment but also towards needy realities.
  10. Communicate your environmental commitment on the website and on the OTAs. An exellent way is through the Booking.com badges.

Hotel Green 1

How to communicate your environmental commitment on Booking.com

From the analysis of Booking.com, it also emerged that 3 out of 4 accommodation facilities have adopted at least some sustainable practices. Yet, only one in 3 clearly says this to potential guests on the various channels. Communicating your environmental commitment is instead fundamental because it allows you to:
  • improve the online reputation and image of the hotel;
  • convince travelers who are attentive to the environmental issue compared to your competitors:
  • justify a higher average price. But beware that this is possibile only if the higher quality of products and services is tangible and demonstrable.
To show the environmental commitment on Booking.com, RoomCloud added the possibility to select the sustainable actions implemented. From the content management section of RoomCloud channel manager, the hotelier can flag all the initiatives and send them in a few clicks on Booking.com.
 
 

Sustainable amenities

Depending on the declared sustainable practices, the property may be eligible for the new Travel Sustainable Property icon.

The icon is a universal, verified and free recognition of the commitment to sustainable hospitality. It is designed to help hoteliers communicate efforts and attract guests who want to travel sustainably.

Booking.vom Sustainalble Property Badge

For any information on how to communicate your environmental commitment, contact us at sales.roomcloud@tecnes.com