INSIGHT

Why it’s time to choose sustainable hotels

sustainability concept

According to a new poll from Virtuoso, a global network of agencies that specialize in travel, 50% of the travelers surveyed said it’s important to choose a hotel and a travel company with a strong sustainability policy. 70% said that traveling sustainably enhances their travel experience. 

With more hotels doing their part to protect the environment, we take a look at why now is the best time to choose sustainable hotels.

What is a sustainable hotel program?

One that minimizes the environmental impact an uplifts the social economic benefits of travel. Think:

  • Sustainable partners that share your values and pathway to a more sustainable future
  • Educating your people on how to support your corporate sustainability targets
  • Communicating the positive impact that travel can have and how to improve
  • Global citizens that give back to local and global communities
  • Decisions based on reducing the environmental impact of travel

Why bother?

Sustainability is a central feature of corporate governance. Consumers are 77% more likely to buy from a company with a CSR pledge, according to Forbes.

  • Reputation: Sustainability is a key market differentiator and enhances brand loyalty
  • Employee Engagement: Job satisfaction is elevated by doing good in the world
  • Targets: Travel is a key contributor to emissions for many organizations
  • Value: Capture benefits without increasing spend. Align with a small number of suppliers who will offer preferential rates in return for commitment.
sustainability

Sustainable hotels bring:

  • Value through savings and traveler benefits
  • Locations that match your global travel needs
  • Shared vision, values and objectives that align with your culture
  • Partnership that lasts, providing you with the support you need

    Hotel chain pledges

    IHG Responsible Business

    • IHG Green Engage tracks the use of energy, carbon and water and waste management 
    • IHG Academy helps local people develop skills and improve their employment opportunities
    • IHG Foundation helps make communities across the globe better places to be for all

    Hilton Travel With Purpose 

    • Social impact: Foster inclusive growth by enabling everyone to travel and benefit from it 
    • Environmental impact: Operate and grow sustainably, reducing consumption of natural resources
    • The Hilton Effect Foundation: international philanthropic charity

     

     

     

    Marriott Serve360 

    • Nurture Our World: Contribute 15 million hours of volunteer service
    • Empower Through Opportunity: Invest at least $5M to increase and deepen programs and partnerships that develop hospitality skills and opportunity
    • Sustain Responsible Operations: Reduce environmental footprint by 50% across the portfolio by 2025
    • Welcome All and Advance Human Rights: All associates will complete human rights training

    Accor Planet 21

    • Be an inclusive company and ensure the welfare of its people
    • Encourage guests to act as multipliers of the positive effects of actions
    • Establish a lasting relationship with partners, who share commitments and are working with Accor to produce innovative solutions that have a positive impact
    • Work hand in hand with local communities , because commitment does not end at the hotel door
    • Healthy and sustainable food, with a ban on food waste
    • A move towards carbon neutral buildings
    sustainability

    How to change

    Travel policy and program

    • Select sustainable suppliers
    • Ensure your policy supports sustainability goals
    • Lean towards suppliers highlighting sustainability
    • Engage with suppliers to grow the partnership

    People

    • Communicate sustainability targets with employees
    • Engage sustainable travel champions
    • Make it easy to do the right thing
    • Recognize improvement and change
    • Inform travelers about the changes they have enabled
    • FCM Consulting can help

      Analytics

      • Hotel program diagnostics
      • Evaluation of current booking trends and sustainability score
      • Recommendations on how to meet sustainability targets through simple changes

      Sourcing

      • Sourcing project management to identify best-fit suppliers
      • Delivery of agreed KPIs including sustainability targets, savings and traveler satisfaction

      Elevate

      • Traveler engagement and feedback
      • Travel policy review and recommendations
      • Communications plan to engage travelers and effect change
      • Ongoing program management and reporting

    Take your travel program to the next level. Talk with our experts.

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