Hotels now are rolling out all sorts of green programs, in part because their business guests in particular are demanding it, and in part because the hotels are finding that going green saves money.
“Environmental issues are one of the hottest issues within the travel industry right now,” said Bill Connors, the executive director of the National Business Travel Association.Mr. Connors’s view is borne out by the rise in hotels registering to be certified. “I think it’s a really noticeable trend,” said Max Zahniser, a program manager.
This is good news to Josh Rachlis, an advertising copywriter based in Toronto who travels throughout the United States for up to two weeks at a time. “When I’m at a hotel, I always look to see if they use compact fluorescent bulbs, and I try to use as few towels as possible,” he said. “Ideally, I’d be looking for a green roof, and if a hotel had recycling facilities, that would be great. I’d be more than happy to take my business there.”Mr. Rachlis is far from alone in seeking out hotels with earth-friendly practices. In a survey, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants found that more than 16 percent of guests choose their properties because of the company’s environmental practices. The chain’s housekeepers use nontoxic cleaning agents, there are in-room recycling bins and the hotels plan to switch all light bulbs to compact fluorescents.
Some hotels have used energy-saving measures for years. For Fairmont, all front-desk computers at Fairmont’s North American properties run on wind power bought from a sustainable energy cooperative, and several of its golf courses are irrigated with recycled water.Hospitality executives and consultants point to the marketing potential of a green designation.
“It’s a great branding claim, and it helps them differentiate themselves,” said Danny Seo, who described himself as an environmental lifestyle expert. Environmental friendliness is a high priority particularly for younger consumers, who make up a growing percentage of business travelers.Another reason behind the green push is economics. There are financial benefits to installing light bulbs that use less energy or bathroom fixtures that limit water flow. In many cases, environmentally friendly is also business friendly. With the cost of fuel inching steadily upward, some hotels are finding that conservation measures, once viewed as expensive, are now considered smart investments
Take a look at the green initiatives hotels have taken in 2009 and see where you stand with your competitors.
