In a world that is becoming increasingly conscious of its environmental impact, industries are awakening to the imperative of sustainable practices. Governments around the globe have also been extending their support through various grants and incentives, fostering a climate of eco-friendly initiatives.
Standing at the forefront of this transformative journey would be the hospitality sector. From eliminating the usage of single-use items such as shampoo bottles to reducing water wastage, hoteliers and other businesses in the hospitality industry have started finding new ways to become more eco-friendly.
Governments as catalysts for sustainable change
The hospitality sector, integral to economies globally, has been actively looking for solutions that are sustainable to cater to the growing eco-consciousness of its guests. In response, governments are emerging as key catalysts for sustainable change, propelling the industry toward responsible practices.
Through a range of grants and initiatives, policymakers are encouraging hotels and brands to adopt innovative solutions. This partnership between governments and the private sector paints a powerful picture of commitment to preserving the planet and fostering sustainable growth.
Hotels’ and brands’ shift toward adopting ESG
According to Booking.com’s Sustainable Travel Report published in 2022, four out of five respondents said that travelling sustainably is important to them. Besides changing attitudes towards environmentalism, the hospitality industry is also susceptible to the effects of climate change. Hence, we are seeing an unprecedented shift in hotels and brands adopting environmental, social and corporate governance frameworks in their businesses.
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One leader in the industry would be Accor. As a goliath in the industry, it has set a positive example by committing to a set of goals to take incremental steps towards achieving a net zero business. They plan to do so by reducing water, waste, energy and carbon emissions. Such exemplary attitudes toward environmental stewardship are fundamental in conferring importance on adopting greener attitudes.
Entrant startups are crucial to hacking sustainable practices
At first mention, the adoption of eco-friendly practices might seem boring or uninteresting. But with the usage of technology and innovation, startups have created many solutions ranging from the simple to the complex, focusing on meeting needs.
As a testament to the significant impact of water filtration, AmGlow’s hospitality clients have successfully eliminated the use of plastic water bottles in guestrooms, averting the need for approximately 20,000 bottles daily.
Such startups are important in providing solutions to revolutionise the ways in which the hospitality sector carries out its businesses. Besides appealing to eco-conscious guests, hotels can improve internal operations and generate long-term productivity improvements, as they no longer need to leverage on manual labour and can cut unnecessary costs.
Conclusion
As governments and industries unite, SMEs and startups are crucial in illuminating the path towards a brighter, eco-conscious future. The hospitality industry is a complex one, with many cogs in the machine. By working hand in hand, business and the environment can coexist harmoniously.
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