Eco-friendly accommodation is fast becoming a popular choice for many travellers around the world. This is down to an increase in environmental awareness over recent years. These days, more and more guests are demanding sustainability from brands, and hotels are no exception.

The hospitality industry in general is renowned for its negative impact on the environment. And this is what’s fuelling the green revolution in the hotel sector. Guests, especially those from younger generations, are now favouring hotels that take a proactive stance against issues such as climate change and waste reduction. And if you don’t address these issues, then your hotel will soon be left behind.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though.

In fact, implementing the right strategies to reduce your carbon footprint and create a more sustainable business can actually be highly profitable for your business. For one thing, it can help you stand out from your competitors and appeal to a larger segment of the market. But sustainability can also help you cut down on your operational costs and increase your revenue.

Don’t believe us?

Read on to find out how exactly.

Energy efficiency is cost-effective

First and foremost, creating eco-friendly accommodation is cost-effective in terms of utilities and energy consumption. In fact, with the right energy efficiency strategy, hotels can potentially reduce their energy usage by up to 35%. And this has a direct impact on your energy bills and your overall operational costs.

So, what does an energy efficiency strategy entail?

Here are a few examples of things you could do to make your hotel more energy efficient and reduce your carbon footprint:
• Conduct an energy audit to determine how much energy you are currently using and where you could potentially cut down your consumption.
• Upgrade your lighting to LEDs and use dimming systems in all rooms.
• Use motion sensors for lighting in bathrooms and public corridors.
• Help your hotel retain more heat by installing sustainable wall insulation, green roofs, and protective coverings.
• Cover your pools and saunas when not in use to minimise heat loss.
• Use more energy-efficient appliances, such as boilers and cooling systems.
• Implement separate HVAC systems in lobbies and service areas.
• Offer guests the option to opt out of housekeeping and daily towel changes if they so choose.
• Train your employees in green policies and energy efficiency.

Although many of these are small changes, combined, they can have a huge impact on the level of energy that your hotel uses to operate.

Improves the guest experience

Another reason why creating eco-friendly accommodation and promoting sustainability in hospitality can be profitable is that it helps you improve the guest experience.

This is down to a couple of reasons.

For one thing, according to Booking.com, 60% of travellers would be willing to spend at least 5% more on accommodation and services that they perceive to have a low impact on the environment. So, by positioning yourself as a player in the eco-friendly accommodation market you can attract a higher rate of customers who are willing to pay more.

Also, if you engage your guests and encourage them to participate in eco-friendly activities, such as saving water or cutting down on services they don’t actually need, they will be more likely to share their experience on social media and be proud of the type of accommodation they have chosen. And this will have a positive impact your hotel’s reputation and brand image. It’s also a great way to expand your online reach and build awareness of your hotel and what you have to offer.

Ensures sustainable growth

Finally, perhaps the biggest benefit of creating an eco-friendlier hotel is that it ensures sustainable growth in a world that is increasingly focused on the fight against climate change. It’s also a great way to protect yourself from the increasingly destructive effects of mass tourism.

Promoting yourself as an eco-friendly accommodation that is an active player in preserving the environment in which you operate will help to ensure sustainable growth. You will show the world that you care about the environment, and you are ready to adapt to the changing nature of the tourism sector.

And this isn’t only relevant to the hospitality industry either. Businesses from all industries will need to adapt to this growing consumer demand for more ethical and sustainable brands if they are to remain relevant and profitable in the future. And, as a hotel, this means embracing green and sustainable strategies in order to improve the guest experience and ensure sustainable growth.