Green hotels are exactly what they sound like properties that promote sustainability and help protect the environment by using eco-friendly green practices. The term “green hotel” is a flexible one that can be used to describe chain hotels as well as motels, B&Bs, and resorts. Green hotels are those that reduce the impact of tourism and travel on the environment.

This post will take a closer view of what it means to be green. We will explore how green hotels provide excellent facilities, customer service, and top-notch accommodation–all the while limiting their impact on the environment. You’ll learn about eco-friendly initiatives, from water-saving initiatives to energy-efficient architecture.

Hotel environmental impact must be reduced

Many parts of the tourism, travel, and hospitality industries harm the environment. Hotels can have a negative impact on the environment through soil erosion, pollution, and increased pressure on endangered species.

CBRE Group’s recent report shows that hotel CO2 emissions are very high, at 96. Green hotel initiatives are important for all industry professionals, as similar industries average a CO2 rate of 80.

Consumers today are looking for sustainable solutions

Hotels that want to stay competitive in the market must adapt. The number of environmentally-conscious travelers is growing. In 2022, 78% of Statista respondents indicated that they intended to stay at an eco-friendly destination at least once during the next year. 81% of travelers noted the importance of sustainable traveling.

More consumers than ever are choosing green hotels due to their growing concern about climate change. Travelers also look for destinations that will help them avoid catastrophic weather conditions, such as hurricanes, floods, and rising temperatures. Sustainability impacts which destinations tourists choose, when they travel, and what you can do at your destination.

Sustainability is profitable

The demand for sustainable, environmentally-conscious, and ethically responsible travel is rising, with the global sustainable tourism industry valued at $181.1 billion (sustainable tourism statistics by Avantio). Hoteliers who fail to adopt greener business models and more sustainable practices run the risk of losing more than just loyal customers. They also risk losing their reputation as reliable players in their local market.

What makes a green hotel?

A green hotel is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its property and its carbon footprint. There are no criteria that they must meet in order to be called “green.” Still, they do implement policies, adhere to procedures, sell products, and run their business in a way that minimizes environmental impact. Green hotels are committed to corporate and social responsibility, and they work hard to promote these values in their local communities.

Sustainable hotels aim to reduce their impact on the immediate environment as well as global pollution. Eco-friendly accommodation improves energy efficiency, reduces waste, and improves the well-being of guests and staff by implementing various initiatives. These may start with the construction of the hotel and continue into daily practice.

Green hotels that are innovative and inspiring

You can find inspiration from industry leaders, whether you are implementing green hotel policies for the first time or want to improve on current initiatives. Four hotels have built their brand around the idea of being green.

Proximity Hotel

The Proximity Hotel, located in Greensboro’s historic district, was named the Greenest Hotel of America in 2007. 90% of the steel used in the construction of the Proximity was recycled post-consumer material. The hotel is LEED Platinum certified and has over 100 solar panels. It recycles 75% of its waste. Proximity offers the ideal location for a single-day intimate event or an executive retreat.

CitizenM Hotels

CitizenM is a cutting-edge, sustainability-focused hotel brand based in Amsterdam. CitizenM, based in the Netherlands, took advantage of the lower costs, resources, and labor required to construct modular properties. The hotel’s guestrooms were built off-site and then assembled on-site. CitizenM’s modular construction method has reduced waste from 10-20% to 2%. This reduces supply chain costs and waste.

Portola Hotel & Spa Monterey Bay

Portola Hotel & Spa Monterey Bay is the first hotel in central California to be awarded LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The hotel’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact using innovative methods and alternative energy, such as solar panels, displays the effort it has put forth.

Portola Hotel, a waterfront property, uses cogeneration simultaneously to generate electricity and provide hot water. The hotel was also a pioneer in early industrial efforts to reduce the amount of water used with eco-friendly features, such as low-flow shower heads and faucets.

The Hideout

The Hideout is the perfect destination for a trip to southern Thailand. The Hideout, an eco-friendly treehouse overlooking Phang Nga Bay in Thailand, is a haven for “digital detoxing.”

The Hideout is a tech-free haven that runs on 100% renewable resources. The Hideout, unlike many other green hotels that rely on technology to achieve their goals, is 100% powered by renewable resources.

Greening the hotel industry: What every hotelier needs to know

There are many benefits to going green, but there are also some things that hotels should keep in mind. Hoteliers who want to reduce their impact on the environment should:

A holistic yet strategic approach is essential. While the hotel’s focus should be on setting realistic and achievable sustainability goals, it is equally important to provide green training, employee education, as well as guidance. Go green in a holistic way. Create an integrated action plan for sustainability by conducting an environmental audit. This will help you assess where your hotel stands, identify areas of improvement, and determine the best way to move forward.

Identify the most wasteful areas. Even though measuring the hotel waste correctly can be difficult, you can work to reduce the amount of waste that your property produces. Water overuse, food wastage, and CO2 emissions are some of the major areas of waste in hotels. By identifying the problem areas of your hotel, you can reduce its environmental impact.

Identify the initiatives that your hotel can afford. Calculate the cost to install new green technologies and find ways to offset costly initiatives through exclusive promotions, special events, or creative pricing strategies for hotels.

Know who your audience is and what they are interested in. Find out which environmental concerns or practices matter the most to them (e.g., climate change, pollution, or overconsumption). Based on feedback from consumers, create green initiatives, products, and services and promote them via hotel booking channels, where your target customers are likely to see them.

Create a Green Hotel Team. Initiate a Green Hotel Team. They can be in charge of measuring and tracking hotel sustainability initiatives. Ask for regular feedback, suggestions, and updates on what works or doesn’t.