Green As We Grow
Lately, the green initiative has been acknowledged as the latest “buzz” for hotel renovations and new construction. Hotel Managers Group (HMG) currently has seven new hotels under development in the Western United States. HMG has also completed over eight million in hotel renovations in the last twelve months. HMG’s investment partners and clients have all asked the question “How do we go green as we grow?”
The need to reduce expense while maintaining quality, service delivery and profit is not a simple matter to master in today’s hotel environment. Professional operators realize saving the planet and nurturing a business can go hand in hand. Today hotel operators are not just implementing green programs such as linen and towel conservation but the leaders in green are now impacting design construction and renovation at the planning stage.
Hotel Managers Group has incorporated its “green as we grow” initiatives in its current cycle of renovation and new construction. Much green information is available via a host of sources including websites, trade magazines and industry sources. HMG has synthesized much of this data and has compiled a check list for its projects.
Reduce usage of/consumption of utilities. Water consumption is the most vital step in reducing consumption. Water is a vital yet diminishing resource. T. Boone Pickens calls water “the next oil.” According to experts less than one percent of the earth’s water is drinkable. A study by the American Hotel and Lodging association states the average hotel consumes approximately 209 gallons of water per occupied room daily compared to 243 gallons consumed by the typical U.S. home. According to the American Water Works Association the average price of water is $1.50 per 1,000 gallons. A 100 room hotel running 72% average annual occupancy will consume about 5,492,520 gallons of water in one year costing over $8,200.
Today, design efficiencies in toilets, low flow fixtures on faucets and shower heads, landscape emitters, pool/spa design and hot water heaters can reduce costs by 30% or more when properly planned and executed. Staff training in proper water usage, conservation, maintenance and guest awareness will result in cost savings and conservation of valuable resources without diminished guest experience.
Hotel Managers Group has also incorporated a variety of conservation measures in energy consumption, energy-efficient technology, reuse of disposable products, recycling techniques and trash handling.
Linda Davis
Vice President | Hotel Marketing Group
619.462.2170 x. 185
