The success of the hospitality industry is dependent on how effectively the players preserve the natural environment and cultural attractions. The Paris Agreement called on countries, businesses, and individuals to use every method possible to lower the global temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial levels to avoid plunging the earth into a disaster. The hospitality industry, from hotels to art centres, has a huge role to play in helping the planet to realise this target.
A Brief Look at Sustainability
Sustainability is a concept that denotes the ability of the planet to exist and develop without exhausting resources for future generations. It was first brought out in the Brundtland Report of the United Nations but has since been expanded to include concepts of governance and society.
In the hospitality industry, guests and stakeholders are looking for facilities with strategies that use the best practices to stand out. Here are some of the reasons why you should operate sustainably:
- The industry relies on natural and cultural resources.
- Operating sustainably helps to make your company stand out.
- Sustainability is part of the growing list of requirements for regulatory compliance.
Efforts in the Hospitality Industry Used to Enhance Sustainability
The initiatives we have outlined above are some of the best practices for the hospitality industry, and you should not hesitate to adopt them.
According to Adrian Cheng, the CEO of New World Development, your eyes should be focused on initiating a holistic and innovative ecosystem that champions a better lifestyle. Remember to always review and improve your strategies to keep winning new markets and enjoying better results.
There is a long list of things that you can do to make your company or hospitality facility sustainable. Here are some of the expert suggestions that you should consider:
- Use Locally Available Materials
When visitors come to a hotel or restaurant, they want to enjoy the best delicacies. If your foods are sourced from distant regions, the process is likely to be harmful to the environment.
For example, importing veggies or fruits from the other part of the globe would increase damage to the environment and reduce their freshness. Instead, you should consider sourcing food, drinks, and other materials locally.
- Cutting Down Carbon Footprint
One of the dangers facing the planet today is global warming. To counter this, hospitality facilities are adopting every effort to cut down their carbon footprints. You can also follow the same trend by shifting to green energy, cutting down waste, and shifting to energy-saving lamps. Make sure to communicate these actions to targeted guests and stakeholders for them to appreciate your effort.
- Unique Hospitality Facilities Development
For your hospitality facility to succeed, it should also work towards promoting better human health. To achieve this, the facilities have to start from the building design. You might want to design structures with ample meeting spaces, green areas and automated air conditioning.
One company that has perfected this focus is the New World Development in Hong Kong, which has added functional green space for meetings and natural lighting for users.