Green Hotels

Green Hotel Guide: Catering to the Eco-Conscious Traveler

Sustainability is a growing priority for travelers—and it can be a selling point for hotels, too.

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Green hotels, also known as eco-hotels or environmentally friendly hotels, are those committed to minimizing their environmental impact. This includes conserving resources, reducing waste and lessening your hotel's carbon footprint.

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A report by eco-friendly water cooler company FloWater indicates that nearly six in 10 travelers are more likely to choose a hotel if they know it’s sustainable.

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By embracing eco-friendly practices, you can attract this growing market segment, enhance your hotel’s brand reputation and contribute to a healthier planet.

What Makes a Hotel Green?

Green hotels implement a variety of measures to lessen their environmental impact.

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Here are some key areas of focus:

 
• Energy efficiency: The best eco hotels prioritize energy-saving practices such as using LED lighting, installing solar panels and implementing smart thermostats to optimize energy use in guest rooms.
 
• Water conservation: Water-saving fixtures, low-flow showerheads and practices like towel and linen reuse programs can significantly reduce water consumption.
 
• Waste reduction: Green hotels minimize waste through recycling programs, composting initiatives and refillable amenities instead of single-use toiletries.
 
• Paper reduction. Eco-friendly hotels reduce paper consumption by implementing technology to digitize various forms like credit card authorizations, registration cards, and folios.
 
• Sustainable sourcing: Eco-conscious hotels source locally produced food and use sustainable building materials and cleaning products.
 
• Repurposing materials: Enhance your green practices by recycling items like newspapers, aluminum cans and office paper.

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Going Green: 4 Ways to Make Your Hotel More Eco-Friendly

There are many ways hotels of all sizes can become more environmentally friendly. Here are some actionable steps to becoming a green hotel:

1. Embrace Digital Technologies

Canary Technologies' hotel management software can significantly contribute to your eco-friendly efforts.

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Our Mobile Check-In, digital authorizations and Tablet Registration solutions eliminate paper waste.

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This includes:

 
• Paper registration cards
 
• Check-in forms
 
• Faxing/printing

Additionally, our software streamlines operations and communication, potentially lowering your energy consumption.

2. Partner With Local Businesses

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Sourcing food and amenities from local vendors reduces your carbon footprint associated with transportation. This also supports the local economy and allows you to offer guests a unique and authentic experience.

3. Invest in Hotel Energy-Saving Solutions

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Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, lighting and HVAC systems is an eco-friendly way to significantly reduce your hotel's environmental impact and lead to long-term cost savings. Plus, guests who are looking for a sustainable stay will appreciate these practices.

4. Educate Staff and Guests

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Raise awareness about your eco-hotel initiatives, including green bedrooms and suites, by training staff and informing guests through signage and communication channels. This can also help attract the conscious traveler who is specifically looking for a sustainable hotel.

3 Guest Experience Trends in Green Hotels

Eco-conscious travelers value not only a sustainable property but also an experience that aligns with their values.

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Here are some guest experience trends to consider:

1. Transparency and Communication

Guests appreciate transparency about a hotel's sustainability efforts. In fact, 65% of travelers would feel better about staying at a hotel if they knew it had a sustainable certification, according to Booking.com’s Sustainable Travel Report.

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Clearly communicate your eco-initiatives through your website, in-room materials and staff training.

2. Sustainable Tourism

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According to Booking.com's report, 75 percent of travelers would like to book authentic, local travel experiences. Offer eco-friendly experiences for guests, such as bicycle rentals, partnerships with local nature guides or educational programs about the local environment.

3. Community Engagement

Give guests what they want—40% of travelers don’t know how to find activities and tours that give back to the local community, according to Booking.com. But you can make it easy for them.

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Partner with local environmental organizations and businesses for guest experiences or support community sustainability projects. Clearly display this information on your website and other marketing channels. This allows guests to connect with the destination on a deeper level and contribute to a positive impact.

Green Hotel Certifications

Ready to go green? Several organizations offer green hotel certification programs. These programs establish sustainability benchmarks and recognize hotels that meet specific criteria.

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While not mandatory, these certifications can validate your green efforts and enhance your reputation with eco-conscious travelers.

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Here are two green hotel certification programs:

 
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED): This internationally recognized green building rating system provides a framework for designing and operating high-performance, sustainable buildings.
 
• Green Key Global: A leading eco-certification program for hotels and resorts, Green Key Global focuses on environmental responsibility and operational excellence.

By implementing these strategies and embracing eco-friendly practices, your hotel can cater to the growing demand for sustainable travel experiences. In turn, this can attract new guests, improve your hotel’s reputation and contribute to a greener future for the hospitality industry.