Addressing Environmental, Social Issues Key for Hotel Guests and Staff
Mindset Changes Required From the Beginning
Environmental, social and governance issues in Europe are reaching the top of the hotel-industry agenda, but considering — in the words of Ufi Ibrahim, founder and CEO of the Energy & Environment Initiative — if the sector is “people, people, people, why is the industry not the leader, even a leader, in ESG?”
Environmental, social and governance issues in Europe are reaching the top of the hotel-industry agenda, but considering — in the words of Ufi Ibrahim, founder and CEO of the Energy & Environment Initiative — if the sector is “people, people, people, why is the industry not the leader, even a leader, in ESG?”
Moderating a panel on the subject at the recent European Hospitality Investment Conference, Ibrahim said the industry should praise what it has done correctly and work from there.
Change is happening, speakers said, and the industry is moving from a service culture focus to an experiential one, and hoteliers are realizing they need to invest more in ESG.Guests and Staff
James Fry, founder of serviced-apartment firm Beyond Aparthotels, said a total approach to ESG means providing sustainable wellness for both staff and guests.
Looking after staff was a key subject in the discussion, and a key part of both the "environmental" and "social" elements of ESG.
“We aim to make [our aparthotels] the least toxic place you’ve ever been," he said. “Housekeeping suffers from 40% more respiratory conditions, more rashes and more sniffles. There does exist a list of nasty things, and we make sure none of them are in the cleaning materials.
"Environmentally sustainable and healthy products used to cost more, but now you must build and operate this way, so it is just part of the cost structure,” he said.
“Staff work to live in many cases, so know their inspiration. If they have a dance class on a Wednesday, make sure they do not work on Wednesdays,” he added.