Despite concern in many areas of society, it is clear that market forces are the most effective levers of change in sustainability.
As companies face increasing pressure to report their GHG emissions, the role of business travel, mainly flights, is coming under great pressure. Business travel contributes significantly to a company's carbon footprint. In my opinion, hotels will be less affected than airlines, but they will need to relearn to focus more on short—and medium-distance travellers.
The growing interest in sustainability and events is shifting competitiveness in a new direction. For those hotels and events venues that have been leading the way for decades by implementing sustainable management practices and measuring the carbon footprint of operations their hard work is paying off.
The role of sustainability information in business travel is increasingly critical, particularly for hotel groups like Radisson Hotel Group, as corporate clients prioritize sustainability in their procurement processes. A growing requirement for sustainability data in corporate RFPs significantly impacts the competitiveness of hotels.
Properties should take resilience measures not just to lower insurance premiums but also to keep their doors open and stay in business. Insurance companies can protect their own profits and keep their customers by offering lower premiums to owners who better protect their properties.
While I would like to suggest that there is a massive "Game Changer Opportunity" presented here in accelerating sustainable best practices though engagement from the Insurance Industry, that is going to have to wait and see what comes unless someone has more information related.
To fully embrace their role as enablers and game changers, insurance companies could focus on two aspects that would make a difference in the way hospitality professionals make decisions. The first one is the availability of data about present and future risks (catastrophic events…) and their correlation with some hotel features (construction materials, construction year, location of technical equipment in the building…).
In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Banyan Group, a global leader and pioneer in sustainable hospitality, is pleased to announce the establishment of the Rewilding Banyan Fund. Starting today, USD $1 for every direct booking of Banyan Group’s hotels and resorts will be pledged to the new fund, supporting long-term rewilding efforts to restore natural habitats in destinations where the Group operates.
Meet The Experts (MTE), the premier business conference for Viet Nam’s real estate and hospitality sectors, was held on 24 October 2024 in Ha Noi under the theme “Wellness Real Estate.” The biannual event brought together leaders from across the industry, including investors, hotel owners, management companies, design firms, and consultants. MTE fosters collaboration, provides actionable insights, and offers networking opportunities to help stakeholders capitalize on growth prospects and prepare for the next cycle in Viet Nam’s dynamic real estate and hospitality markets.
Two Meliá hotels in Vietnam and one in Thailand are taking their green goals to the next level with ambitious solar panel projects that have seen over 2,600 solar panels added to Meliá Vinpearl Cua Hoi Beach Resort and Meliá Vinpearl Cua Sot Beach Resort, both along Vietnam’s north central coast, and Meliá Phuket Mai Khao on the tropical island of Phuket.
Auditing hotels involves a unique set of tasks distinct from other types of audits. Certifications may encompass various departments, including Human Resources, Purchasing, Legal, Food & Beverage (F&B), Maintenance, Excursions, Housekeeping, Front Desk, Training, and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE). To effectively conduct these audits, an auditor must possess extensive knowledge of hotel operations. This includes an understanding of the dynamics between services and the complexities of both horizontal and vertical management. The primary role of the auditor is to gather evidence to ensure that the hotel complies with established standards. While some evidence can be visually assessed, many aspects require in-depth discussions to accurately evaluate the level of commitment from the staff. This necessitates strong interpersonal skills to gain the trust of the team and elicit an honest portrayal of the hotel's operations. The technical component of the audit is crucial, as it constitutes a significant portion of sustainability certifications for hotels. Auditors must acquire knowledge in areas such as HVAC systems, thermodynamics, water and wastewater management, energy efficiency, health and safety protocols, and chemical storage. Currently, there is no academic curriculum that provides the comprehensive knowledge and skills required for hotel auditors. As a result, many auditors must rely on self-directed learning or their personal experience within the hospitality industry to conduct effective audits. With the increasing demand for hotel certifications, there is a pressing need to establish structured support for auditors specializing in the hospitality sector. The credibility of certifications rests on the qualifications of the professionals conducting the audits. It is essential that auditors are equipped with the necessary expertise to meet and exceed the expected standards.
Verification and certification on hotel sustainability are a key element the success of a property's pathway to net zero and net positive impact. Hotels under the brand umbrella of Radisson Hotel Group are required to complete the online verification process of Hotel Sustainability Basics and / or be certified by a leading hotel eco-label. Quality is defined by the transparency of the program, regular audits conducted by well-trained auditors and third-party verification. It is also a great differentiator.
With new ESG regulations coming into force (e.g. the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), there will be an even greater need and demand of environmental and social auditing.
Could there be a bottle neck of skilled auditors - absolutely, but we know that legislation will require skilled auditors to assess certified properties so the question shouldn't be will there be a bottle neck, it's how are we training a new wave of auditors.
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), South Asia’s largest hospitality company, announced a strategic partnership with Anita Mendiratta Foundation (AMF) to provide funding for the Empower-Her Andhra Pradesh Sewing Project. The partnership aims to uplift women from over 18 villages in the state by equipping them with sewing skills to achieve sustainable income, independence, and empowerment.
Hockey’s next generation of superstars flocked to the Melbourne Sports Centre over the weekend, as part of the popular Adina Community Hockey Series. Over two action packed hours, the kids got to meet their hockey heroes and learn the skills and drills needed to master the game.
Accor’s Queensland hotel network recorded sustained growth in the year to the end of July 2024, emphasising Queensland’s premier position in the Australian tourism and hotel market.
Far East Hospitality, Singapore’s home-grown hospitality management company with an international presence has announced that all 16 of its hotels in the country have achieved the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Industry Criteria for Hotels Certification. With this accreditation, Far East Hospitality is now the hospitality group with the largest number of GSTC-certified sites in Singapore.
PHUKET One of the world’s most inspirational green advocates will headline PHIST this year as Asia’s pioneering sustainability event enters its 8th year.Register here!Unsung hero of sustainability Andrew Dixon, former banker turned green activist, owner and operator of two private island resorts in Indonesian waters – Nikoi Island and Cempedak Island - will discuss his broad sustainability platform that takes in not only conservation – but critically culture, community and commerce.Stories will cover everything from micro-financing and cultural integration to a school that now numbers over 600 students – providing vital support and development systems that go much further than tree planting and the banning of single use plastics.
Showcasing a remarkable commitment to community spirit and charitable giving, Accor hotels and resorts in Phuket, together with ALL, Accor’s lifestyle loyalty program, successfully organized ‘The Accor Heartbreak Hill Mini-Marathon 2024’ on 14th July at Nai Harn Beach and along Promthep Cape. This fundraising event aimed to create a positive impact on Phuket communities.
Sustainable hospitality is highly complex to deliver, so the prospects of using Responsible Artificial Intelligence are exciting and results are already strong.
PHIST (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism), Southeast Asia’s biggest sustainability event for the travel and hospitality sectors, will return to spark conversation and drive the green agenda this September, with an impressive line-up of key figures and industry innovators led by Peng Sum Choe, CEO of Pan Pacific Hotels Group.Organised by the Phuket Hotels Association, the non-profit organisation of hoteliers focused on creating a bright future for Phuket, PHIST 2024 will run under the theme One on One: Sustainability from the Top, as it reveals how senior company executives can successfully build a forward-thinking corporate culture and drive positive change, not only within their own companies, but across the entire industry and beyond.
My experience with the usage of AI is related to "Intelligent Scales" used to monitor food waste in the kitchens. This technology is combining scales and a camera that can analyse the content of the bin and help to make a choice when it comes to categorize the type of food waste, for example: trimmings, french fries, ...
AI is ushering in a new era of innovation and efficiency within the hospitality industry by enhancing utility consumption and waste management, ensuring regulatory compliance, and promoting eco-friendly behaviors among guests[1]. These benefits appeal to managers for their cost-effectiveness and competitiveness[2], while environmental advantages, like reducing food waste[3], are clear. Yet even the most adamant proponent of AI recognizes the challenges of data privacy, ethics, and the risk of over-reliance on technology [4]. Often overlooked are the energy demands of AI, such as AI-powered chatbots consuming the energy equivalent of 33,000 homes. Additionally, demand for new data centers to support AI is rising, with their own significant environmental and social issues[5].
While AI and technology are often heralded as transformative tools in the push for sustainability, especially in sectors like hospitality, it is crucial to recognise their limitations. AI can optimise energy usage, streamline operations, and provide valuable insights, but it does not physically insulate walls or address the skills gap necessary to design, develop, and construct hotels and buildings sustainably. Implementing sustainability measures, such as installing energy-efficient insulation and reducing embodied carbon, relies heavily on skilled labour and new construction practices. These physical and human elements are indispensable and cannot be replaced by AI.