How to Promote Sustainable and Responsible Tourism in Your Hotel

Sustainability has become one of the top priorities in the hospitality industry today. The success of those working in this sector like hotels depends on tourism and how the natural and cultural attractions are preserved. However, mass tourism has endangered the earth’s limited resources due to careless practices.

This is where sustainable and responsible tourism comes in. It means being aware of the total impact of tourism on the environment, economy, and society and addressing relevant issues through good practices to minimize the negative effects. It ensures that travelers do not bring any environmental harm to the destinations they visit and also supports the local community in the area. This includes staying at a hotel that recognizes the importance of sustainable and responsible tourism.

As hoteliers, managing sustainable tourism in a responsible manner brings out the best in your hotel. Here are 5 ways you can get started.

5 Ways How your Hotel Can Support Sustainable and Responsible Tourism      

1.      Reduce Energy Consumption

Energy is one of the main priorities in sustainable and responsible tourism because it makes up more than half of a hotel’s carbon footprint. There are steps on how to save energy to make your hotel a lot greener.

What you can do:

• Install solar panels to produce your electricity.
• Buy energy-efficient appliances. 
• Switch to low-energy lighting like LED lamps.
• Utilize timer switches and thermostatic radiator valves to control the output of your heating system.
• Turn off lights when they are not used.
• Give friendly reminders to guests on their use of electricity.
• Train hotel staff on how to conserve energy.

2. Reduce Water Usage

Like energy, water needs to be saved. Clean water is very essential as there are still many communities around the world that do not have access to potable water. You can practice water-saving techniques as part of your hotel’s sustainable and responsible tourism.

What you can do:

• Perform a water audit to identify where you are using the most water.
• Leave guests a note informing them that room cleaning is by request only to prevent water waste.
• Change the settings of washing machines.
• Politely ask your hotel guests to reuse towels.
• Use linens and towels that are environmentally-friendly.

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3. Practice Recycling and Composting

Recycling and composting are a must if your hotel wants to promote sustainable and responsible tourism. There will be a general evaluation of the quantity of waste produced by your hotel and how much could be used for recycling and composting.

What you can do:

• Cut down on food waste. Monitor what food your guests order at your hotel’s restaurant.
• Put recycling bins around your hotel and train your hotel staff on how to use them properly.
• Guide your guests on things that can be thrown away and what can be recycled.
• Make a composting bin for the food you must throw away and utilize it in your garden.
• Promote the use of eco dispensers instead of one-time use supplies.

Hotel and Spa Essentials is a trusted supplier of dispensers to high-end hotels and accommodations. The dispensers are made of sustainable materials such as bio-sourced material from sugar cane and recycled materials and they are in compliance with EU cosmetic regulations that guarantee traceability and safety. Several of our plant-based packagings are made of sugar cane residues to ensure clients that our products like liquid soap dispensers and wall mounts do not harm the ecosystems of the producing areas. We use recycled packaging for our products that come from the recovery of industrial scraps or recalled products.

4. Serve Sustainable Food

Serving sustainable food in your hotel can impress your guests. Sustainable food has three focus areas such as sourcing, society, and environment.

What you can do:

• Sourcing – serve only local and seasonal food and animals that are raised ethically. Fish must be farmed sustainably. Another element is Fair Trade which means paying higher salaries to producers in developing countries.
• Society – follow the four principles: treating people fairly, community engagement, healthy eating, and responsible marketing.
• Environment – being conscious of how much food you waste, how much water and energy you consume, what workplace resources you offer, and how healthy your supply chain is.

5. Engage in Charity Works that Support Conservation

Your hotel can get involved in worthy activities that support conservation as part of promoting sustainable and responsible tourism. The conservation campaign can be for tourist attractions, wildlife sanctuaries, or the local community within the area. 

What you can do:

• Donate to local conservation groups and invite your hotel guests to do the same.
• Invite local conservation leaders to have a free speaking engagement at your hotel. Invite your guests to attend so they could learn more about conservation.
• Distribute pamphlets and other information about local conservation efforts to tourists who might be interested to join.

 ALSO READ: How to Reduce Carbon Footprint in the Tourism Industry

Your hotel can promote sustainable and responsible tourism through conserving energy and water, recycling and composting, serving sustainable food sourced from the local community, and supporting conservation drives. These sustainable initiatives create a positive image for your hotel and can become part of the solution to save the environment. This guarantees that attractions within the area would still be enjoyed by tourists in the future.Hotel and Spa Essentials is the accredited distributor of some of the top hotel amenities brands used in five-star hotels and world-class accommodations. We provide hotel and spa supplies that are friendly to the environment and can match the preferences of your customers. Are you in need of a hotel amenities supplier that can provide you with high-quality and eco-friendly hotel supplies?

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