INSIGHT
Why it’s time to choose sustainable hotels
According to a new poll from Virtuoso, a global network of agencies that specialize in travel, 50% of the travelers surveyed said it’s important to choose a hotel and a travel company with a strong sustainability policy. 70% said that traveling sustainably enhances their travel experience.
With more hotels doing their part to protect the environment, we take a look at why now is the best time to choose sustainable hotels.
What is a sustainable hotel program?
One that minimizes the environmental impact an uplifts the social economic benefits of travel. Think:
- Sustainable partners that share your values and pathway to a more sustainable future
- Educating your people on how to support your corporate sustainability targets
- Communicating the positive impact that travel can have and how to improve
- Global citizens that give back to local and global communities
- Decisions based on reducing the environmental impact of travel
Why bother?
Sustainability is a central feature of corporate governance. Consumers are 77% more likely to buy from a company with a CSR pledge, according to Forbes.
- Reputation: Sustainability is a key market differentiator and enhances brand loyalty
- Employee Engagement: Job satisfaction is elevated by doing good in the world
- Targets: Travel is a key contributor to emissions for many organizations
- Value: Capture benefits without increasing spend. Align with a small number of suppliers who will offer preferential rates in return for commitment.
Sustainable hotels bring:
- Value through savings and traveler benefits
- Locations that match your global travel needs
- Shared vision, values and objectives that align with your culture
- Partnership that lasts, providing you with the support you need
Hotel chain pledges
IHG Responsible Business
- IHG Green Engage tracks the use of energy, carbon and water and waste management
- IHG Academy helps local people develop skills and improve their employment opportunities
- IHG Foundation helps make communities across the globe better places to be for all
Hilton Travel With Purpose
- Social impact: Foster inclusive growth by enabling everyone to travel and benefit from it
- Environmental impact: Operate and grow sustainably, reducing consumption of natural resources
- The Hilton Effect Foundation: international philanthropic charity
Marriott Serve360
- Nurture Our World: Contribute 15 million hours of volunteer service
- Empower Through Opportunity: Invest at least $5M to increase and deepen programs and partnerships that develop hospitality skills and opportunity
- Sustain Responsible Operations: Reduce environmental footprint by 50% across the portfolio by 2025
- Welcome All and Advance Human Rights: All associates will complete human rights training
Accor Planet 21
- Be an inclusive company and ensure the welfare of its people
- Encourage guests to act as multipliers of the positive effects of actions
- Establish a lasting relationship with partners, who share commitments and are working with Accor to produce innovative solutions that have a positive impact
- Work hand in hand with local communities , because commitment does not end at the hotel door
- Healthy and sustainable food, with a ban on food waste
- A move towards carbon neutral buildings
How to change
Travel policy and program
- Select sustainable suppliers
- Ensure your policy supports sustainability goals
- Lean towards suppliers highlighting sustainability
- Engage with suppliers to grow the partnership
People
- Communicate sustainability targets with employees
- Engage sustainable travel champions
- Make it easy to do the right thing
- Recognize improvement and change
- Inform travelers about the changes they have enabled
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FCM Consulting can help
Analytics
- Hotel program diagnostics
- Evaluation of current booking trends and sustainability score
- Recommendations on how to meet sustainability targets through simple changes
Sourcing
- Sourcing project management to identify best-fit suppliers
- Delivery of agreed KPIs including sustainability targets, savings and traveler satisfaction
Elevate
- Traveler engagement and feedback
- Travel policy review and recommendations
- Communications plan to engage travelers and effect change
- Ongoing program management and reporting