AHLA Partners With IncentiFind to Identify Sustainability-Related Savings for Owners, Operators
AHLA | October 30th, 2023
SH Hotels & Resorts to Open First U.S. Treehouse Hotel in Sunnyvale, California
Treehouse Hotels | September 26th, 2022
ESG in Hotel Real Estate: Systemic Solutions for a Systemic Problem
Kimberly Yoong | June 24, 2021
By Kimberly Yoong The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reported that in 2019, emissions from building operations had reached record-high levels and estimated that direct building carbon emissions must be halved by 2030 in order to reach 2050 net-zero targets. Meanwhile, from the hotel sector’s standpoint, the situation is not anymore rosy: as the industry’s global footprint continues to grow rapidly, hotels will need to reduce their absolute carbon emissions by 66% by 2030 and 90% by 2050, to avoid a corresponding increase in carbon emissions. A social awakening on all levels For decades, we have been putting off envi...
Sustainable Hospitality Design: Catching Up
Scott P. Rosenberg | June 3, 2021
By Scott Rosenberg The world’s environment is affected primarily by real estate, transportation, and manufacturing. Due to the influence that these industries have on each other, it is clear that designing and operating sustainable buildings have a tremendous impact on the environment. Some of the concerns addressed by sustainability practices include inefficient site planning; lack of smart growth; waste of water, electricity, and energy; overconsumption and excessive waste; not using sustainable materials; minimizing transportation; the lack of healthy indoor air quality; increased pollution; depletion of the ozone layer; and climate...
New Research Shows New Net Zero Model Brings Benefits for Hotel Sector
IHG Hotels & Resorts | May 4, 2021
A new paper co-authored by international property consultancy Gleeds, global engineering and design consultancy Arup, global hospitality company IHG Hotels & Resorts, and energy management and automation specialist Schneider Electric has revealed how the hotel industry can tackle the net zero carbon challenge and save £millions in the process. Entitled ‘Transforming Existing Hotels to Net Zero’, the team compiling the research used a real-life case study to consider what opportunities exist to decarbonise existing hotels and drive operational energy to net zero carbon. With energy consumption typically accounting for as much as 60...
How Online Consumer Reviews Impact the Future of Sustainable Practice
March 9, 2021
By Aurore Beaussaut, Dr. Carlos Martin-Rios Why are some hoteliers still lagging behind? All business must embrace sustainability, especially at a time when customers are more enlightened and informed about their purchase choices. Media suggests that ethical and sustainable issues have become a key consideration for consumers. Unsurprisingly, concerns for the environment are becoming increasingly important for the tourism industry. More hoteliers recognize environmental, social and financial factors. A growing number of pro-environmental hotels are at the cutting-edge of sustainable accommodation. However, the large majority of est...
Sustainable Hotel Management: Trends Hoteliers Should Know in 2021
Natacha Reymond | February 24, 2021
Along with the pandemic and associated health and economic concerns, climate change is driving the world’s agenda. Business leaders everywhere are wrestling with how to respond to rising public and political pressure and align their systems and operations with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, established to keep global warming below 2°C and ideally 1.5°C. None more so than for hotels, that means reducing their emissions by 90 percent by 2050. Let’s take a look at what sustainable hotel management means in 2021. Why sustainable management matters for hotels Along with hotels, the transportation and food and beverage industrie...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Reveals Guests’ Growing Passion to Travel Better
IHG | February 15, 2021
People are more mindful than ever about travelling consciously following the Covid-19 pandemic, reveals a new global survey by IHG® Hotels & Resorts. The research is commissioned as part of IHG’s launch of ‘Journey to Tomorrow’: a 10-year action plan comprising a series of far-reaching new commitments to make a positive difference and help shape the future of responsible travel. 60 per cent of the 9,000 adults surveyed across the US, UK, Germany, Greater China, the UAE and Australia agree that they want to be more environmentally and socially conscious on their travels. This is led by 69 per cent of younger travellers (aged 18 t...
Hospitality’s Role in Driving Sustainability and Community Projects
August 11, 2020
As one of the world’s largest industries, it’s up to travel and tourism to lead the way toward a carbon-smart, sustainable future that contributes to the well-being of people and the planet. This means giving back to local communities, particularly now, since so many places around the world that depend on visitors are struggling as a consequence of COVID-19. Even before the virus took its devastating toll on the industry, visitors have been looking for ways to create deeper and more meaningful connections with the places they care about - a trend known as voluntourism. Voluntourism, when done right, is a win-win situation for everyone:...
Sustainability: More Relevant to the Future of Tourism Than Ever?
July 7, 2020
As lockdowns begin lift and people start to travel again, hotels are scrambling to figure out the new normal. Experts confirm that those owners and managers who focus on innovation and sustainability will be most likely to bounce back and thrive in the future. A sustainable approach will be key in driving economic development globally. In fact, as travel restrictions have begun to lift, UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili remarked, “The timely and responsible easing of travel restrictions will help ensure the many social and economic benefits that tourism guarantees will return in a sustainable way. This will contribute to the live...
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions Enhances Commitment to Sustainability and Transparency by Publishing Third-Party Certified Environmental Product Declarati
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions | May 12, 2020
Worldwide provider of security access solutions demonstrates product life cycle transparency and ongoing support of waste reduction while enhancing customer abilities to achieve certifications such as LEED, Green Globes and BREEAM. Stockholm – May 12, 2020 – ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions has announced its latest achievement in maintaining a priority on sustainability and transparency with the recent publication of third-party certified Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for 18 of its security-based solutions. ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions worked with Sustainable Solutions Corporation to conduct the Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and pu...
Simple Steps Hotels Can Take for Climate Consciousness
Larry Mogelonsky | January 22, 2020
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Unarguably, the climate has noticeably changed in recent years. Weather patterns are more erratic and less predictable. Along the eastern side of North America, this currently means less snow. But for other places, like Australia, the perilousness of the situation may result in swift corrective legislation. Despite any rhetoric or debate, the fact is that every hotelier needs to recognize that being a good corporate citizen means doing your part. At all costs, you want to avoid being labeled a violator of our planet’s ecosystem, especially when there are many simple yet visible st...
Sustainable Tourism: Why Should Hotels Lead in This Effort?
Lisa Xie | January 21, 2020
Sustainable tourism has grown significantly is the last few years. Why and how can hotels implement more sustainable practices, taking inspiration from the UN SDGs? By Lisa Xie The tourism industry has one of the highest growth rates out of all industries in the world, accounting for 10.4% of global GDP and 319 million jobs (10% of total employment in 2018)1.. At the moment, there is no sign of a slump in this trend. In 2018, 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals were recorded (up 47% from the 2010s' 950.8 million) and the number is expected to rise to 1.8 billion in 2030. Hotels are only one of the many actors that play a big...
Sustainable Hotels: Learnings from Designing a Carbon-Positive Hotel
the authors | December 19, 2019
With over 60% of consumers world-wide worried about climate change, the notion of sustainability has become more pressing than ever. Designing a Carbon-Positive Hotel – Challenges From Single-Use Plastic Ban to Carbon-Neutrality: what practices should be embraced by sustainable hotels While working on the assignment of designing a climate positive hotel, we conducted research about the biggest carbon emitters and challenges of hotels. Our research concluded that greenwashing is one the biggest issues the industry is facing. Greenwashing is the act of companies trying to attract the growing green market through false public relations ...
10 Ways Hoteliers Can Achieve Additional LEED Credits
Kacey Bradley | December 19, 2019
By Kacey Bradley Two-thirds of today's travelers want to stay in an eco-friendly hotel, according to a survey by TripAdvisor.com. As such, earning a LEED certification opens the door to a huge group of potential clients who want to stay in green quarters. Of course, becoming a LEED-certified hotel isn't an easy process. Normally, you have to follow three steps: registering your project, presenting your eco-friendly facets and submitting the application. Once you earn your approval, you'll fall under one of four levels to determine the standard of eco-friendliness in your accommodation: LEED-certified: 40 to 49 points Silver: 50...
Saving on Utility Bills in Hotels
Sam Reed | December 18, 2019
There are close to 50,000 hotels and motels in the United States, and they spend around 6 percent of their operating costs on energy each year, according to Energy Star. Most of that is used for lighting and climate control. Because hotels and motels operate 24 hours per day, those two things run almost constantly. Making a few energy-efficient changes can make a big difference. Energy consumption at hotels also accounts for 60 percent of its carbon footprint. Upgrade your lighting Most of the changes to lighting can be done inexpensively while cutting a hotel’s energy bill by as much as 20 percent, according to Carbon Trust. Car...
Hilton Expands Food Donation Initiative to Nearly 300 Hotels in Time for the Holidays
Hilton | December 12, 2019
Hilton’s efforts will feed more than 160,000 annually, while diverting millions of pounds of food waste from landfills McLean, Va. - As the holiday season approaches, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is announcing the expansion of its innovative food donation initiative to all of its managed hotels across the United States and Canada, representing one of the largest hotel food donation programs to date. The company expects to donate nearly 100 tons of food over the next year — enough to feed more than 160,000 people — while also diverting millions of pounds of food waste from landfills. “We have a century-long tradition at Hilton of playing...
Sustainability Hasn’t Translated Into Travel Policies, But Is an Important Topic for Travel Managers
the Global Business Travel Association | November 21, 2019
Alexandria, VA (November 21, 2019)— Sustainability is a hot topic, but it is one that has not translated into the overall corporate travel program, according to new research out today from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) in partnership with SAP Concur. With more emphasis expected on sourcing with sustainable suppliers in the coming years, this is yet to be rendered into the overall travel policy with one-third (33 percent) of travel managers saying that they either mandate (6 percent) or encourage (27 percent) travelers to book with suppliers using sustainable practices. Nevertheless, sustainability is very important to tra...
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Publishes Inaugural ESG Report
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | November 12, 2019
BETHESDA, Md. --Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) (the “Company”), the leading owner of urban and resort lifestyle hotels, today announced that it published its inaugural Environmental, Social & Governance (“ESG”) report covering the Company’s ESG performance in 2018 and its commitment to environmentally sustainable business practices and social responsibility to its employees and other stakeholders. “As a leader in the hotel industry, we recognize the important role that our hotels and resorts serve in our environment and communities,” said Jon E. Bortz, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pebblebrook Ho...
Hyatt Launches Three Global Initiatives to Significantly Reduce Single-Use Plastics
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | November 12, 2019
CHICAGO - November 12, 2019 – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) is announcing a series of initiatives to reduce waste at Hyatt hotels globally, including introducing large-format bathroom amenities and reducing single-use water bottles by June 2021. The following initiatives will be introduced as soon as possible in properties around the world, and no later than June 2021: Transitioning to large-format bathroom amenities to replace traditional small bottles of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and lotion. Increasing the number of water stations in key public spaces at hotels for guests who wish to refill reusable water bottles. S...
Incorporating Sustainability Through Gradual Change
Larry Mogelonsky | September 25, 2019
By Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng. (www.hotelmogel.com) Climate change activism is no longer niche. Youth around the world are taking to the streets and, moving beyond blanket demands for more action from governments, they are starting to target and boycott corporations that are failing to act. If you think it’s going to stop at paper straws and replacing mini shampoo bottles with dispensers, you are gravely wrong. This is just the start with the end goal being total transparency of waste practices and carbon neutrality. To avoid getting your hotel in the crosshairs and to ensure you have a future – as younger travelers will be more ...
Hotels Are ‘Going Green’ in Significant and Lasting Ways
Fran Worrall | August 7, 2019
New sustainability report cites government regulations, guest demand among driving forces By Fran Worrall, Contributing Editor A groundbreaking new report by the Urban Land Institute in Washington, D.C. explores sustainability in the hospitality industry and examines ways in which hotels are incorporating eco-friendly best practices into both operations and construction. The study includes insights from leading hotel owners, developers and investors. Entitled Sustainability in Hotels: Opportunities and Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality, the 32-page report outlines the business case for sustainability, provides performance metr...
End of the Road for Bathroom Miniatures as IHG Opts for Bulk-Size Amenities to Reduce Plastic Waste
IHG | July 30, 2019
IHG takes industry-leading step to remove 200 million miniatures from estate each year July 30, 2019 -- IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has today announced that its entire hotel estate of almost 843,000 guest rooms will switch to bulk-size bathroom amenities, with the transition to be completed during 2021. Building on its efforts to reduce plastic waste as part of a broader sustainability agenda, this pledge makes IHG the first global hotel company to commit all brands to removing bathroom miniatures in favour of bulk-size amenities. Keith Barr, CEO, IHG, commented: “It’s more imp...
How Today’s Hotel Ownership Model Clashes With the Need for Green Energy Investments
HEBS Digital | April 15, 2019
by Jason Price, EVP, HEBS Digital April 15, 2019 The hotel industry was an early adopter in embracing energy conservation and other earth friendly practices. However, sizable capital investments like HVAC upgrades, energy generation, or smart materials in renovations exceeds the short-term revenue models for today's hotel investor. As of now, what a hotel can do has been done - switch to LED light bulbs, key entry-driven lighting, and reduced turnover of towels and linens. Although these efforts generate cost savings and matter to the environment, the investments are limited compared to what is being committed in residential and in new ...
Hilton Brands to Recycle 1 Million Bars of Soap by Global Handwashing Day
Hilton | March 18, 2019
Partnering with Clean the World, Hilton's participating brands will recycle soap and donate to communities in need around the world MCLEAN, Va. – March 18, 2019 – Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton and All Suites brands are launching the Clean the World Challenge in partnership with Clean the World, a global health leader dedicated to sustainability and water, sanitization and health. Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton will challenge hotel owners and Team Members to collect bars of soap left behind by guests to be recycl...
Green Lodging News Launches Green Suppliers Spotlight E-blast
Green Lodging News | February 20, 2019
ODESSA, FLA.—February 20, 2019—Green Lodging News, lodging's leading environmental news source, announces the launch of Green Suppliers Spotlight, an e-blast to more than 20,000 subscribers that features the lodging industry's leading green products and services. The e-blast will feature multiple vendors—unlike the current Green Supplier Spotlight that allows one supplier to "own" the Green Lodging News subscriber list for one e-blast. (Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample.) Green Suppliers Spotlight will be published weekly on Thursdays beginning in March to general managers, owners, management companies,...
