A global trend seems apparent, where hotels are competing in their
degree of environmental concern. The London Development Agency (LDA)
created the “Green Tourism for London” scheme, granting
gold, silver or bronze grades, based on the hotel’s efficiency
of using resources, recycling and responsible buying behaviour.
While the Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism (BAAT) hosts
a competition for guesthouses and hotels, a recent study found that
two thirds of 197 hotels in the English-speaking Caribbean are making
increased efforts to implement environmentally friendly business practices.
Also, renowned names in the industry, such as Taj and Hilton are increasingly
proactive in terms of environmental initiatives, encouraging inventiveness
of staff as well as guests. Even the least anticipated budget hotel
sector is partaking with the opening of Britains greenest Hotel, the
Premier Inn, Tamworth. The Inn was approved by the Carbon Trust and
while featuring many of the same facilities as any other Premier Inn,
it uses significantlly less energy.
The motivation for such an environmentally friendly movement in the
Hospitality industry seems to stem from consumer demand. Even during
financially weary times as this, or should we say, especially now
are responsible practices necessary to increase customer value, while
keeping costs down. A win/win situation?
The LDA found that 31% of individuals consider green issues when planning
their holidays and 84 per cent of people assured Visit Britain of
their preference of environmentally friendly establishments over those,
disregarding its future. A remarkable 68 per cent of the latter are
even prepared to accept slightly higher prices.
To assess just how environmentally friendly a hotel is, carepar (http://www.carepar.com/audit.html)
offers a newly invented carbon emission calculating service, applicable
for rooms and conference facilities alike.
London Mayor Ken Livingstone speaks about the triple benefit of cost
cutting and protecting the environment, while receiving acknowledgeable
and official grading to charm the increasing amount of concerned travellers.
11 November 2008
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