Why do more customers choose green hotels? And how can
you make one?
Sustainability is currently a major pursuit in many industries, including the hospitality industry, where it is a vital issue for industry development.
The most extensive sustainable travel research from Booking.com to date highlights an increasing desire to make more mindful and conscious choices across the entire travel experience.
Hotels have a party to play
In a world where the climate is changing, how can a hotel building be transformed to net zero carbon? Is it even possible?
- Research by Natural Climate Change, published in 2018, found that tourism’s global carbon footprint was four times higher than previously estimated, accounting for about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- In fact, some of the biggest hotel chains have already adopted sustainable strategies to control their environmental impact.
- Research by the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance found that the hotel industry needs to reduce its carbon emissions by 66% per room by 2030, and by 90% per room by 2050.
Conscious consumers demand eco-friendly hospitality
What makes people wanting to become more sustainable? Some of the reasons travelers gave to keep it sustainable while traveling is:
The pandemic made 61% of travelers want to choose more sustainable travel options (Avantio).
Leisure and corporate travelers alike are placing greater emphasis on the green credentials of the hotels they use.
83% of travelers want to decrease their energy usage (Booking.com).
Hotel and other rental accommodation guests are willing to pay up to 75% more for an eco-friendly option (Operto).
Up to 40% of those traveling would like booking sites to say which properties are sustainable (Avantio).
37% of travelers would like a filter option to make the decision of staying in sustainable accommodation easier (Avantio).
Sustainable tourism statistics says that 73% of travelers are more likely to choose accommodation that has implemented sustainability practices over those that haven’t.
Customers wanted to feel good about their accommodation choices
What makes a hotel sustainable?
Sustainable, green or eco-friendly hotels are those that work towards reducing their carbon footprint. They have implemented eco-friendly practices across their products and services, maintenance and supply chains.
In a nutshell, a sustainable hotel ticks the following boxes:
- It works on reducing energy consumption
- It minimizes food and plastic waste
- It has introduced practices to decrease water consumption
Framework to achieve green hotels
Building Fabric Optimization
While it consumes no energy itself, the hotel building envelope has a large influence on a major energy consumer, the HVAC system. The envelope consists of the buildings outside walls, its roof, windows, doors, and floors. It is the barrier or filter between the inside conditioned space and the outdoors. When it operates effectively, your buildings will require less energy. From an energy perspective, its purpose is to minimize heat loss and gains.
Reduced Window to wall ratio: buildings will usually have WWR of 60 to 70% that can be reduced to 30% which will result in saving energy and capital cost.
Roof & Wall Insulation: Insulating Roof and Wall will save around 3 to 4% of the total energy.
High SRI material for Roof & Wall: Using Materials having higher SRI will results in saving 1 to 2% of overall energy
Glazing: windows are virtually thermal holes in the building envelope. Double panes (R-2) and triple panes (R-3) do improve the situation, they double or triple the window’s R-value and can save 3 to 5% on overall energy consumption
Shading Devices: Reducing heat gain through windows can reduce cooling costs but can also increase occupant comfort. Particularly in warm climates, protecting windows from the sun can have a big impact.
Energy Efficienct Lighting and Daylight
Efficient Lighting & Controls:lighting system design with efficient Lighting fixtures and daylight and occupancy sensors. This will reduce your energy demand by 4% to 6%.
Daylit Areas: Design Rooms to harvest daylight without glare
Efficient HVAC System Design
Low Energy Systems:Use Low energy cooling system wherever applicable
Efficient AC System:Design Efficient Air conditioning system with High COP
Variable Speed Drives:Use VSD/VFD for pumps
Economizers:Air and Water Economizer
Efficient Hotwater System Design
Low Flow Fixtures:Use of low flow fixtures for shower
RE Energy :Using Solar or Heat pump to generate hot water
Recycle and Reuse:Greywater and Wastewater heat recovery system
Energy Efficient Design will help in saving around 20% to 30% of the Energy in the hotel which makes the development sustainable
Efficient Water Conservation Measures and Design
Water Efficient Low flow fixtures
Low Flow Pre-Rinse spray valve and Dishwashers
Water Efficient Laundry System
Rainwater Harvesting and Reusing
Wastewater treatment and Reuse
Smart water meters
What are the commercial benefits?
2022, like 2021 and 2020, continues to be tough going for many hospitality brands and so why take on the extra task of pursuing sustainability goals? Aside from the obvious benefits to the planet, of which much has been said , are there real commercial gains to be had from going green, both short and long-term? The answer is a definitive yes, and here are six key reasons why
Conclusion
The ability to think differently as the hospitality industry moves into uncharted territories—both nationally and internationally, within organizations and in local markets, online and in person—is becoming more important as change continues to evolve at a faster pace than ever before. Being nimble and open-minded enough to adapt, addressing challenges and/or seizing opportunities, will determine which companies wither away and which ones thrive.
The success of any hotel is dependent upon its ability to keep customers and staff healthy. To secure higher occupancy rates, hotels need to provide the best customer experience in terms of comfort and service by providing a healthy and safe environment. This requires optimal functioning and maintenance of key infrastructural elements.
