Sustainable operations in green hotels eco resorts

Six Senses Turkey, Alchemy Bar - one of the leading hotel brands in sustainability

When dealing with a hotel or resort that is already operational, perhaps just starting out on its sustainability journey, we have to work with the financial and human resources available. 

Maybe it’s consistent baby steps and a 3-year timeframe therefore, or if the owner decides it’s high time to make it happen, a 6-month sprint when we throw everything we can at it.  

Either way, in summary, here’s what’s on our hotel sustainability plan: 

The primary focus is as ever on reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency, implementing water conservation and waste management measures. We start here, every time!

Optimize the hotel’s supply chain bringing in ethical local businesses and sustainably minded suppliers, especially in the Food & Beverage, and housekeeping departments 

Implement a biodiversity plan to conserve and protect any wildlife on-site

Roll out sustainable interior design strategies when opportunities arise in the hotel’s 5-7 year refurbishment cycle

Develop a local community engagement plan and a series of CSR activities 

Ongoing staff training in collaboration with the in-house Green Team of sustainability champions

Perhaps target a green hotel certification such as Green Globe or EarthCheck for some kind of 3rd party recognition to appeal to eco-conscious travelers 

Of course ongoing monitoring, measurement and reporting on our sustainability KPIs so there is a regular feedback loop to keep us all on track.

A Six Senses Resort garden - growing kitchen ingredients on site!

Diving into the details on sustainable eco hotel offers

Eco hotels and eco resorts prioritize sustainable operations as a core part of their identity. They often adhere to recognized hotel sustainability standards such as Green Globe and implement best practices to minimize their environmental impact, promote wellness, and provide a memorable and eco-conscious guest experience.

Here are some sustainable operations initiatives that are considered best practices in eco hotels and resorts, taking inspiration from standards like Green Globe, EarthCheck, GreenKey and the WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics (see note below on these various different standards).

Energy Efficiency in an eco resort or green hotel:

- Invest in energy-efficient technologies and systems to reduce energy consumption.

- Implement LED lighting, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and occupancy sensors.

- Utilize renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines, to generate clean energy on-site.

- Set energy reduction targets and continuously monitor and optimize energy use.

Water Conservation in greening hotels:

- Install low-flow fixtures and water-saving technologies in guest rooms and common areas.

- Implement rainwater harvesting systems for irrigation and non-potable uses.

- Educate guests about responsible water use and offer towel and linen reuse programs.

Waste Reduction and Recycling in sustainable tourism hotels:

- Develop comprehensive waste reduction and recycling programs.

- Install recycling bins in guest rooms, public areas, and back-of-house spaces.

- Minimize single-use plastics and promote reusable alternatives.

- Source eco-friendly and compostable disposable items when necessary.

- Participate in food waste reduction and composting initiatives.

Sustainable Food and Beverage in a luxury eco resort or green hotel:

- Source local and organic ingredients for on-site restaurants.

- Offer vegetarian and vegan menu options to reduce the environmental impact of food choices.

- Implement sustainable seafood sourcing practices.

- Minimize food waste through portion control and donation programs for excess food.

Biodiversity and Natural Habitat Preservation in a sustainable eco lodge:

- Create wildlife-friendly landscapes with native plants and habitats.

- Protect and preserve local ecosystems, including wetlands, forests, or coastal areas.

- Collaborate with local conservation organizations for habitat restoration projects.

- Educate guests about the importance of biodiversity conservation.

Green Building Design in a sustainable eco hotel:

- Incorporate sustainable architectural and interior design principles.

- Use eco-friendly building materials with low environmental impact.

- Maximize natural daylight and ventilation in guest rooms and common areas.

- Explore green building certifications like LEED or Green Globe for validation.

Local Community Engagement at the best eco resorts:

- Support and engage with the local community by sourcing products and services locally.

- Offer cultural and nature-based activities that promote responsible tourism.

- Collaborate with local organizations on community development and conservation projects.

Guest Education and Engagement in eco friendly hotels:

- Educate guests about the hotel's sustainability initiatives through informative materials, signage, and website information.

- Encourage guests to participate in eco-friendly practices, such as reusing towels and linens, and provide incentives for sustainable behavior.

- Organize eco-tours and nature-based activities to connect guests with the environment.

Staff Training and Engagement in sustainable eco hotels:

- Provide sustainability training to all staff members and promote their active participation.

- Recognize and reward employees for innovative ideas that contribute to sustainability goals.

- Foster a culture of environmental responsibility among staff.

Certifications and Standards at best eco hotels:

- Pursue recognized sustainability certifications like Green Globe or EarthCheck to validate the hotel's eco-friendly practices and commitment to sustainability.

Measurement and Reporting in an eco luxury resort or hotel:

- Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and report on the success of sustainability initiatives regularly.

These sustainable operations initiatives not only reduce the environmental footprint of eco hotels and resorts but also enhance the guest experience by offering unique and memorable stays that prioritize wellness, nature, and responsible travel.

Six Senses - sustainability leaders in the hotel industry

What are the World Travel Tourism Council (WTTC) Hotel Sustainability Basics?

Here are the core principles from the WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics program:

Energy Efficiency:

Hotels should prioritize energy-efficient technologies and practices to reduce their carbon footprint. This includes using LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, and smart HVAC systems. Implementing energy management systems can optimize energy use.

Water Conservation:

Sustainable hotels aim to minimize water consumption through measures such as low-flow fixtures, water recycling systems, and guest engagement programs that encourage responsible water use.

Waste Reduction:

Hotels should implement waste reduction strategies such as recycling programs, composting, and reducing single-use plastics. Minimizing food waste is also crucial through portion control and food donation programs.

Sustainable Sourcing:

Procurement of goods and services should prioritize locally sourced, sustainable, and environmentally friendly products. This includes linens, toiletries and kitchen ingredients.

Community Engagement:

Engaging with the local community and supporting social initiatives is a key component of sustainability. Hotels can contribute through job creation, sourcing from local businesses, and participating in community projects.

Biodiversity Conservation:

Sustainable hotels work to protect and preserve local ecosystems. This may involve creating green spaces within the property, supporting wildlife conservation initiatives, and landscaping with native plants.

Accessibility and Inclusivity:

Ensuring that the hotel is accessible to people with disabilities and promotes inclusivity is essential. This includes providing accessible facilities and training staff to assist guests with diverse needs.

Employee Well-being:

Prioritizing the well-being of hotel staff is crucial. This involves fair wages, benefits, training opportunities, and a safe and healthy working environment.

Sustainability Reporting:

Hotels should track and report their sustainability efforts transparently. This can involve publishing sustainability reports, setting measurable goals, and regularly reviewing progress.

Guest Education:

Engaging guests in sustainability practices can have a significant impact. Hotels can provide information on responsible tourism, encourage guests to reuse towels and linens, and offer eco-friendly amenities.

Green Building Practices:

Incorporating sustainable building materials and design principles in construction and renovation projects can reduce environmental impact. This aligns with your expertise in wellness real estate and healthy building design.

Carbon Reduction:

Hotels can work towards carbon neutrality by measuring their carbon emissions, setting reduction targets, and investing in carbon offset initiatives.

Green Globe Certification

Comparison of EarthCheck and Green Globe hotel standards

The EarthCheck hotel standard and the Green Globe hotel standard are both widely recognized sustainability certification programs for the hospitality industry.

While they share the overarching goal of promoting sustainability within hotels, they have some commonalities but also notable differences in their sustainability criteria.

Common Points between these two hotel sustainability standards:

Environmental Management: Both standards emphasize the importance of implementing comprehensive environmental management systems within hotels. This includes setting sustainability goals, monitoring performance, and continuously improving environmental practices.

Energy Efficiency: Both standards encourage hotels to focus on energy efficiency measures, such as using energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and HVAC systems. They also promote the reduction of energy consumption through various initiatives.

Water Conservation: Both programs emphasize the need for responsible water use. This includes implementing water-saving technologies, managing water resources efficiently, and reducing water wastage.

Waste Management: Both standards address waste management, advocating for the reduction, recycling, and responsible disposal of waste. They encourage hotels to minimize single-use plastics and promote recycling programs.

Local Communities Engagement: Both standards recognize the importance of engaging with the local community, supporting local businesses, and contributing to community development and well-being.

Differences between these two hotel sustainability standards:

Certification Process: EarthCheck typically offers a more flexible certification process, allowing hotels to choose the specific areas of sustainability they want to focus on. Green Globe, on the other hand, has a more structured certification process with specific criteria that must be met in various categories.

Specific Criteria: Green Globe has a set of standardized criteria that hotels must meet, covering a wide range of sustainability aspects, from energy and water conservation to social and cultural sustainability. EarthCheck, while comprehensive, allows more customization based on the hotel's unique circumstances and goals.

Biodiversity Conservation: Green Globe places a significant emphasis on biodiversity conservation and protection, requiring hotels to demonstrate their efforts in this area. EarthCheck also addresses biodiversity but may not have as detailed requirements.

Carbon Neutrality: Green Globe has specific criteria for achieving carbon neutrality, which involves measuring, reducing, and offsetting carbon emissions. EarthCheck also promotes carbon reduction but may not have as detailed criteria for achieving carbon neutrality.

Local Sourcing: Green Globe often places more explicit emphasis on local sourcing of products and services to support local economies. EarthCheck may include this aspect but might not have as strict requirements.

Accessibility: Green Globe includes accessibility criteria that focus on making hotels more accessible to people with disabilities. While EarthCheck promotes inclusivity, it may not have specific accessibility criteria.

Cultural Heritage: Green Globe incorporates criteria related to preserving and promoting cultural heritage and traditions. EarthCheck may address cultural aspects but may not have as extensive criteria in this area.

Additionally, local regulations and market expectations can influence the choice of certification program.

Both EarthCheck and Green Globe offer valuable frameworks for hotels to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism.

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