Going green has become a top priority for hotels and guests. Major hotel brands are already seeking sustainability certifications to demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility. Chexology assists in achieving these credentials by reducing waste and enhancing existing hospitality processes.
Key takeaways
Sustainability Priority: 83% of travelers value sustainable travel.
Certifications Boost: Certifications enhance hotel reputation and guest appeal.
Eco tech: Chexology reduces waste, helping hotels achieve green certifications.
Hotel Impact: Hotels contribute 1% to global carbon emissions.
Long-term ROI: Sustainability certifications save hotels money.
Booking dot yeah?
Booking.com, one of the world's largest travel marketplaces, completes an annual Sustainable Travel Report, gathering customer data regarding the relationship between hospitality and sustainability.
Here are some significant statistics from their 2024 report:
83% of travelers confirmed that sustainable travel is essential to them.
45% of this same group of travelers also stated that coming across an accommodation labeled as more sustainable is more appealing.
45% of today’s travelers would be willing to pay more for hospitality options that practice genuine green policies and have a sustainable certification.
What are hotel sustainability certifications?
Hotel sustainability certifications are recognitions awarded to hotels and resorts that meet specific environmental and social standards. Certifications serve as a testament to a hotel's dedication to sustainable practices. Travelers and consumers can properly understand how different hotels prioritize sustainability with these validations.
What are the most popular sustainability certifications?
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): LEED certification is one of the most widely recognized sustainability standards. It evaluates buildings on criteria such as energy use, water efficiency, and indoor environmental quality.
Green Globe: For over thirty years, it has been the world’s guiding certification for sustainable travel and tourism management. It evaluates hotels, resorts, conference centers, and attractions using 44 different criteria.
Green Key: This international certification assesses hotels in five main areas: energy, water, waste, indoor environment, and environmental management.
BREEAM: This certification is internationally recognized for a wide variety of buildings. It assists with solutions to decrease carbon emissions to net zero.
How do you obtain sustainability certifications in the hospitality industry?
Each certificate has its process, but the majority involves similar steps, each requiring a detailed assessment and commitment to ongoing improvement. Here’s a general overview of the process:
1. Understanding the requirements
Each certification has specific criteria that hotels must meet. These requirements often cover a broad range of practices, including energy and water usage, waste management, and guest engagement in sustainability initiatives. Hotels need to understand these criteria to prepare effectively and thoroughly.
2. Implementing sustainable practices
After reading the criteria, hotels need to implement changes to meet certification requirements. Examples include installing energy-efficient lighting, using water-saving techniques, cutting waste via recycling programs, and choosing sustainable suppliers.
3. Apply for an audit
A comprehensive audit helps hotels identify their current performance against the certification standards. The audit involves collecting data on energy consumption, water usage, waste production, and other relevant metrics. A professional auditor will review and judge your establishment and provide a baseline from which your hotel can develop targeted strategies for improvement.
4. Receive certification with continuous monitoring and improvement
Based on the score from your audit, your hotel will be granted a certain level of certification, but the process is never over. Hotels need to implement strategies and practices that can be reused and recycled as years go by. Regular reviews and updates to the sustainability strategy help maintain compliance with certification standards.
How does Chexology help with sustainability hotel certifications?
Chexology's innovative digital technology can significantly aid hotels in their quest for sustainability certifications. The digitalized inventory system eliminates the need for paper tickets, aligning with many sustainability certifications' waste management criteria. Many of the top sustainability certifications emphasize the importance of minimizing the use of paper in hotels, such as Green Key, where they state in section 13 of their criteria, “The establishment takes initiatives to reduce the use of paper at the front desk, in offices, and in guest/meeting rooms.” Based on Chexology’s existing data, the company substituted 21,098 large paper luggage claim tickets per hotel every year.
Not only does Chexology assist you with your waste management, but implementing their technology will reduce environmental harm from how materials are purchased and transported in the operations within buildings. Chexology delivers and installs its product once, which terminates the fossil fuels being burned from those yearly shipments of luggage and valet tickets.
In addition, all of the electronic equipment Chexology uses is rated EPEAT gold, the world’s premier eco-label for electronics. This means that the components of the product are 100% recyclable and reusable.
What are the benefits of sustainability certifications?
Achieving sustainability certifications offers numerous benefits to hotels, both tangible and intangible.
1. Enhanced reputation
Certifications serve as a credible endorsement of a hotel’s commitment to sustainability. They boost the hotel's reputation among travelers and can set it apart in a crowded market. Attaining these certifications will demonstrate the hotel's integrity in reaching its green promises. Certain websites like TripAdvisor enjoy showcasing eco-friendly hotels, giving them extra exposure to potential guests.
2. Increased guest satisfaction
Today’s travelers are increasingly seeking eco-friendly accommodations. Hotels with sustainability certifications can attract and retain guests who prioritize environmental responsibility, leading to higher guest satisfaction and loyalty.
3. Regulatory compliance
Sustainability certifications help hotels stay ahead of regulatory requirements. As governments around the world implement stricter environmental regulations, certified hotels are better positioned to comply and avoid potential penalties. The EU has taken the first step in really cracking down on greenwashing, and the SEC will follow suit shortly.
4. Potential cost savings
Certain eco-friendly practices can diminish electricity, water, and marketing costs on different operations within your hotel. According to the “Could Implementing Green Initiatives Save Your Hotel Money?” blog, Going green will make your hotel more energy-efficient and will attract an eco-friendly audience. Donors and financial institutions are also more likely to offer low-cost financing to certified businesses.
Why does going green matter?
The hospitality industry has a significant effect on the environment. According to Net Zero Business, the global hotel industry is responsible for approximately 1% of global carbon emissions. The hotel and resort industry is shifting towards more eco-friendly options to combat global warming, and everyone must play their part. As sustainability becomes increasingly important to consumers and regulators, hotels that embrace sustainable practices are better positioned for long-term success.
To learn more about the features Chexology brings to its hotel portfolio, please check out this blog.
Let's connect!
The beauty of Chexology is that the guest is their claim ticket. Chexology gives hotels the features they need to be one step closer to obtaining sustainability certifications and becoming a "green hotel." Join the growing number of happy hotel clients committed to sustainable practices and help us achieve a more eco-friendly future.
How can Chexology help you reach your green hotel goals?
Footnote
Jeffery, Kendra. “Could Implementing Green Initiatives Save Your Hotel Money?” Preno.
Net Zero Business “How to calculate the carbon footprint in the hotel industry” Plan Be Eco.
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