Written by Monserrat Menendez, Interior Designer
Drawing on years of professional expertise in interior design, Ms. Menendez presently excels as the founder and president of Senom Design.
In Part 1, we covered the foundational steps to building a sustainability plan: assessing the hotel’s current sustainability status, defining objectives, and designing a comprehensive strategy. In Part 2, we’ll dive into implementing, measuring, and effectively communicating these initiatives to ensure they have the intended impact on operations, guest experiences, and the hotel’s reputation.
4. Implementing sustainable practices across operations
Moving from planning to action is where meaningful change happens. A well-defined sustainability strategy becomes effective only when integrated into every aspect of hotel operations.
Train and engage staff
Success hinges on staff understanding and buying into the hotel’s sustainability goals. Conduct regular training sessions on sustainable practices for all departments and encourage them to share ideas. Recognize and reward employees who actively contribute to sustainability efforts, helping to create a culture of responsibility.
Incorporate sustainable procurement policies
Source from vendors committed to ethical and sustainable practices. Set criteria for selecting vendors and prioritize products that are certified eco-friendly or come from renewable sources, including FSC-certified wood or Fair Trade coffee.
Streamline housekeeping and food services
Implement environmentally conscious housekeeping practices, such as minimizing the use of single-use plastics and offering optional daily linen changes. In food service, minimize waste by sourcing local produce and donating surplus food to reduce disposal costs while helping the community.
Monitor resource efficiency in real-time
Consider investing in a Building Management System (BMS) to track energy and water usage in real time. With data insights, staff can quickly address anomalies, conserving resources and saving costs.
5. Measuring and analyzing progress
Establishing metrics and regular reporting is essential to understand the impact of sustainability efforts and identify areas for improvement.
Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
KPIs might include energy use per room night, water use per guest, waste diversion rates, or carbon emissions. Tracking these metrics over time will allow the hotel to measure success against its sustainability goals.
Conduct regular reviews and adjust goals
Sustainability is a dynamic field, and objectives may need adjustment as new technology, standards, or challenges emerge. Regularly review KPIs and set incremental goals to keep the hotel on track toward long-term targets, such as achieving carbon neutrality by a specific date.
Seek certification as proof of commitment
Consider pursuing recognized sustainability certifications like LEED, Green Key, or EarthCheck. These certifications provide an independent verification of a hotel’s sustainable practices and enhance its credibility with environmentally conscious travelers.
6. Communicating sustainability efforts to guests and the community
Transparency and clear communication are essential to highlight the hotel's commitment to sustainability and encourage guest participation.
Share progress and setbacks openly
Use various channels (website, in-room materials, social media) to share sustainability updates, showcasing achievements and addressing challenges. This transparency builds guest trust and shows a genuine commitment to sustainable growth.
Offer guests opportunities to participate
Give guests an option to contribute by reusing towels, using water-saving fixtures, or participating in a "carbon offset" program for their stay. Simple signage or digital displays can inform them of how their choices contribute to the hotel’s sustainability goals.
Highlight local community engagement
Feature partnerships with local artisans, food producers, or eco-tourism initiatives. Sharing these community efforts adds an authentic dimension to the guest experience and demonstrates a deeper commitment to sustainable hospitality.
Example of communicating impact to guests
A practical example could include a monthly “Sustainability Spotlight” post on social media. This post might showcase the hotel’s waste reduction progress or highlight a recent community service event, connecting sustainability initiatives with real-world impact and engaging followers.
Conclusion
Part 1 recap
We began this guide by building a foundational sustainability plan, starting with an assessment of current practices, setting achievable yet impactful objectives, and creating a holistic strategy to guide decision-making across all areas of the hotel.
Part 2 recap
In Part 2, we turned that strategy into action by implementing sustainable practices, defining measurable goals, and tracking KPIs to ensure progress. Communication with guests and the local community is the final step to foster engagement, accountability, and brand loyalty.
Overall conclusion
Building a sustainability plan is an ongoing journey that can set hotels apart in an increasingly eco-conscious market. By focusing on responsible resource management, waste reduction, and community involvement, hotels can drive positive change for the planet and create memorable guest experiences that reflect their values. As sustainability becomes a priority for travelers, hotels that commit to this path will not only build a better world but also secure their place in a changing industry landscape, where guests and businesses alike value purpose-driven practices.
Monserrat Menendez, Interior Designer
Drawing on years of professional expertise in interior design, Ms. Menendez presently excels as the founder and president of Senom Design. Through Senom, she aims to make projects not only beautiful, but sustainable, healthy, and approachable. Similarly, she specializes in turnkey rentals and property staging, custom product design, pre-construction, and more working with Iconic Modern Home in the Hamptons, New York City and Connecticut.
