Want to Attract Younger Hotel Guests? Go Green

Concerns about the climate are rising, especially among Gen Z – a group with growing economic power.

One consumer report says they’re making “sustainability-first purchasing decisions” and influencing other generations to do the same. So, it’s important to get ahead of the curve and meet the needs of a growing client base.

Operto, a technology company, conducted a study on sustainability among consumers. They found that 30 percent of respondents say a hotel’s sustainability is “highly” important when choosing a place to stay. Over half say that “they check for eco-friendliness as a bonus” when looking for hotels.

If you want to keep up with consumers, it’s time to start looking for ways to reduce their environmental footprint and operate more sustainably. There are many ways that hotels can become more environmentally friendly, from reducing water and energy use to implementing recycling programs and offering eco-friendly amenities.

Reduce Energy Use

Energy use is one of the biggest contributors to a hotel’s environmental footprint. Hotels can reduce energy consumption by implementing various measures, like energy-efficient lighting.

Another effective way to reduce energy use is to invest in renewable energy sources, like solar panels. While these technologies can be expensive to install, they can help hotels save money on energy bills while reducing carbon emissions.

Conserve Water

Water conservation is another important consideration for environmentally friendly hotels. Hotels can reduce water consumption by installing low-flow toilets, showerheads, and faucets and encouraging guests to reuse towels and linens.

Hotels can also take steps to conserve water resources. For example, hotels can implement rainwater harvesting systems to collect and reuse rainwater for irrigation or other non-potable uses.

Implement Recycling Programs

Recycling is another important way that hotels can reduce their environmental impact. Hotels can implement recycling programs to separate and recycle waste materials such as paper, cardboard, glass, and plastic. This way, they can reduce the waste they send to landfills.

Offer Eco-Friendly Amenities

Another way that hotels can be more environmentally friendly is by offering eco-friendly amenities to guests – things like reusable water bottles or refillable soap dispensers instead of single-use plastic bottles.

Hotels can also offer organic and locally sourced food and beverages, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation and packaging.

Engage Guests

Hotels can also encourage guests to participate in their sustainability efforts by providing information about the hotel’s green initiatives and offering incentives for eco-friendly behaviors. They can offer guests discounts or loyalty points for opting out of daily housekeeping or using public transportation instead of rental cars.

By engaging guests in their sustainability efforts, hotels can raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage guests to adopt more sustainable behaviors daily.

Even if these efforts don’t convert anyone to the environmentally-friendly path, you’ll still make many consumers happy. A hotel’s environmental efforts won’t drive people away but will bring new guests in.