As global warming and climate change continue to make headlines, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the effect their choices have on the planet. From recycling plastic products to eating less meat, people everywhere are adopting a more sustainable lifestyle. Now, many are even beginning to consider green accommodations while traveling.
Luckily, there are multiple ways to cater to your more earth-conscious guests and even increase your bottom line in the process.
Water-Saving Initiatives
Guests require a clean supply of water during their stay. However, many tend to use too much. Conventional showerheads flow at about 5 gallons per minute, which can add up quickly. Therefore, it may be beneficial to install low-flow showerheads, which typically flow at 2.5 gallons or less per minute.
You might also recycle greywater by redirecting it to the garden or staff bathroom for reuse. Encourage guests to reuse their linens as well to reduce water consumption for laundry.
Energy-Efficient Technologies
Tracking utility bills may also clue you into how much electricity your guests are using. If you aren’t utilizing renewable energy to power your hotel, consider doing so to cut costs and minimize carbon pollution.
Otherwise, you can install energy-efficient technologies like LED lightbulbs and ENERGY STAR appliances. Installing a new HVAC system may also be a worthwhile investment. While a more efficient strategy may be pricey, the overall savings will eventually result in a positive ROI.
Eco-Friendly Decor
Many business owners think sustainable products are unaffordable. However, not all green design is pricey. When you choose furniture for your hotel, consider decorating each room with eco-friendly pieces.
Create an eclectic interior design scheme with recycled and reused furniture. Find decor that is free from varnishes and made from sustainable materials like bamboo and stone. Search your local thrift store for hidden gems and attend auctions if you have the time. When all else fails, scour hotel surplus outlets and liquidations to find lightly used pieces and save them from the landfill.
Green Building Practices
If you’re expanding your hotel or building from the ground up, consider incorporating a few green building practices. Purchase precast concrete slabs, reclaimed wood, and metal, and eco-friendly materials like cork and bamboo to construct the building itself. Then, focus on tightening the building envelope.
Use insulation and caulk to seal out extreme temperatures and improve energy efficiency. Place a green roof on top to naturally cool the interior and use grasscrete to improve stormwater absorption. Recycle or repurpose any leftover materials to minimize waste.
Conservation for a Bright Future
Ecotourism generates roughly $887 billion in annual U.S. consumer spending and supports more than 7 million jobs. It’s no surprise, then, that many of your guests will be nature lovers who expect green accommodations.
While you may initially choose to go green to appease your more eco-conscious guests, incorporating more sustainable practices is in your best interest. On top of saving you money in the long run, greening your hotel will also ensure there’s still an Earth on which to do business. A green plan is best for long-term success.
Related Article: 6 Ways to Run an Eco-Friendly Hotel
We are in this together!
I need to let you all know that we are in on this together. If you need to vent, talk, cry, or just have some to talk with then I am here listening. Since I am working part-time at the local Kroger, I will to the best of my ability to work it out around my schedule.
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We will get through this unprecedented event together! #hotelstrong #hospitalitystrong
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NOTE
We are starting to reopen some hotels again (Yay!!!). Make sure you follow their guidelines and say THANK YOU to those that now show a unique spirit to serve, and helps us all get through this!! #hotelstrong #hospitalitystrong
Credit
Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Guides for Brides, Hotel Online, and more!
Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!
About Are Morch
Hi, I am Are Morch. Your Digital Marketing Coach and Customer Experience Expert that specializes in creating effective digital customer experience offer for hotels while growing and scale customer acquisition and revenue.
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