In the wake of rising environmental concerns, the hospitality and entertainment industries are increasingly focusing on sustainability. Here are five actionable steps for the hospitality industry and insights into how the entertainment business can embrace recycling and circularity to minimize carbon footprints.
Develop Recycling Programs & Eliminate Single-Use Plastics
Hotels can make a significant impact by removing single-use plastics from their operations i.e. banquets, rooms, salons, spas, gyms, restaurants, coffee shops, swimming pools etc. This includes replacing plastic straws, bottles, and toiletries with sustainable alternatives.
Establishing comprehensive recycling programs within the hotel for guests and staff can significantly reduce waste. This includes recycling paper, glass, and plastic, as well as composting organic waste.
Sustainable Architecture and Design
Luxury hotels typically spend a significant amount on electricity due to their extensive use of energy-intensive amenities. Designing hotel architecture to promote the use of staircases over elevators can contribute to energy conservation. This approach not only reduces the hotel's energy consumption but also encourages guests to engage in physical activity.
Hotel architecture doesn’t necessarily require central air conditioning. By strategically incorporating natural sunlight and fresh air with plants into the design of the lobby and other areas, it’s possible to significantly reduce power consumption costs.
Energy Management through Renewable Sources
Ideazfirst ESG team helps Hotels in installing solar panels that are aesthetical to blend with the hotel's architecture. This not only optimizes energy usage but also supports the global shift towards renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Electric Vehicle Adoption and Charging Stations: Implementing EV charging stations can attract eco-conscious guests, provide a new revenue stream, and establish the hotel as a leader in sustainability. Additionally, offering incentives such as discounts or rewards for guests who arrive in their own EVs can encourage sustainable travel.
Sustainable Event Management
Hotels can set sustainability guidelines for event managers, promoting the use of sustainable materials for conferences and events. This includes reducing the use of non-recyclable flex and vinyl and opting for eco-friendly alternatives like recyclable, compostable, or reusable materials. Additionally, reducing unnecessary lighting on event stages and utilizing advanced LED walls for videos and presentations can further enhance sustainability by avoiding excessive LED installations.
Reduce GHG Emissions & Redesign Food Menu
Promote vegetarian menus for guests and events, and encourage the exploration of plant-based meats. Focus on reducing food wastage by implementing efficient practices and donating surplus food to NGOs supporting underprivileged children. This approach not only minimizes greenhouse gas emissions but also ensures leftover food benefits those in need.
Please contact us at climate@ideazfirst.com for implementing customized sustainability solutions for your hotel.
Single Use Plastic Water Bottles at a Hotel
Restarting Hotels and Resorts after massive Pandemic Losses
The hospitality industry has been one of the worst affected because of covid-19. Strategies to flatten the covid-19 curve like community lockdowns, social distancing, stay-at-home orders, travel restrictions have closed down many hospitality businesses and significantly decreased the demand. 2020 has been the worst year for hotel occupancy. It has been worse than the Great Depression years.
Many hotels have been surviving by serving as quarantine centers in key markets, with some of them providing rooms for the “Vande Bharat Mission”.
The Worst Is Far from over for the Industry
Unfortunately, with the second wave of Covid with India being the hardest hit, the worst is far from over. After the first wave, the reopening process has started slowly. The authorities had started to ease restrictions, allowing dine-in restaurants to reopen at a reduced capacity with strict social distancing guidelines, and gradually reduce restrictions on domestic and international travel.
Contact Ideazfirst for restructuring your property inventory of rooms and banquets to align with the changing demands and requirements of corporates and individual clients.
The focus will be on reducing costs, and improving revenues to make it sustainable.
