Of the 36.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide released worldwide in 2021, the hotel is estimated to have contributed approximately 363 million tonnes. To curb this, 85% of hotels have begun adopting energy-efficient technologies. In addition, 78% have implemented advanced waste reduction programs, while 72% have adopted water-saving measures. All this represents an industry-wide change into a more responsible, more sustainable hospitality industry.
“Sustainability goes far beyond good PR. It's about preventing our business in the future. The climate crisis underscores the importance of making smart and responsible choices. Like many others in the industry, we see first-hand how people, planets and profits lead to stronger and more resilient businesses.”
True sustainability starts with water. This is especially true in areas where hotels are able to consume up to 1,500 liters of water per day, almost eight times the amount used by local residents. Dream Hotels tracks utility usage based on Bed Night (BNS) sold rather than nights in rooms sold, and more accurately reflects the impact of real guests. Over the past three years, the group averages the following consumption per BNS:
Electricity: 17.47 kWh (2022), 16.67 kWh (2023), and 18.56 kWh (2024). Water: 327 liters (2022), 246 liters (2023), 228 liters (2024).
Although accurate impacts are difficult to identify, estimates suggest that hotels and similar accommodations could be liable for 1% to 3% of the global total carbon emissions. According to the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, this figure was around 2-3% in 2021. This simply reinforces the importance of detailed tracking, reduced consumption and sector-wide innovation when serious about achieving net zero.
But that's just the first step. Adopting sustainability means taking a 360-degree approach to decision making, ensuring that everything from grey water systems to solar solutions is heading towards more responsible decisions.
“Guests are pushing us to ask smarter questions and make smarter choices. The results are benefiting everyone involved, which is why we invested a lot in the greywater system, sustainable water use initiatives, solar power generation, smart waste management and other initiatives.
Part of this transformation involves embracing the circular economy. This includes rethinking how resources are used and reused. For example, several hospitality initiatives are currently collecting disposable sanitary products and disposable amenities from hotel rooms. These items are then recycled into new products and distributed to communities in need. Such programs show how to prevent waste from landfills, new products created, and how to eliminate it from carbon emissions. In doing so, they actually provide a replicable model of what hotel-driven sustainability is like.
Experts agree that technology and sustainability are twin troops restructuring the hospitality sector. By creating a more seamless, personalized and efficient experience across guest touchpoints, technologies like artificial intelligence help hotels streamline and process hotels, from digital check-in and virtual concierge services to AI-enabled customer support and smart rooms automation. One unintended consequence of this is the reduction in waste due to the less physical materials needed.
From tracking water use in real time to reducing behind-the-scenes waste and exploring circulation partnerships, taking ecological responsibility is a proactive restructuring of the way the industry operates. Importantly, these changes are designed to involve not only the back office but also the guest experience, encouraging travelers to think about their footprint in a more conscious way.
Godenir concludes. “Building a better world isn't about doing everything perfectly in the end. It's about being transparent, making better choices every day and taking people on their journey.”
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