Nature and its ecosystem services are at the center of the hospitality business proposition: from food and beverage offers to guests' enjoyment of natural landscape at a destination. Nature is not only a 'capital' component available to businesses, but a source of solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change and protect biodiversity while ensuring the well-being of staff and guests alike. Nature is a prerequisite for a successful business, however, a 40% drop in natural capital per person has been recoded over the past two decades (Dasgupta, 2021). 'Burning' though this inventory of natural capital without a regeneration plan should result in alarm bells ringing. As the Science-Based Target Networks summarizes: "Nature is the backbone of human well-being and the foundation for all economic activity" (SBTN, 2020, p.2). Considering the value of nature to the hospitality industry and the threat of biodiversity collapse, recording and accounting for natural capital and integrating the outcome into the decision-making processes while setting regeneration targets is crucial. Ahead of the official launch of the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (on World Environment Day, June 5th) by the United Nations, here are a three questions to tackle ((choose one or answer all, sharing of best practices is welcomed):

  1. Hotels located in urban settings: which nature-based solutions result in value added to guests, staff, owners and community?
  2. Hotels located in natural settings (e.g. forest, coastline): what actions can be undertaken to maintain or restore the ecosystems?
  3. Cooperation/Support for greater impact: where can hoteliers obtain help, support or join forces to achieve results

References

  • Dasgupta, P. (2021), The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review, London: HM Treasury.
  • SBTN (2020). Science-Based Targets for Nature: Initiatil Guidance for Business. Science Based Tageets Network.
  • Tew, N.E., Memmott, J., Vaughan, I.P., Bird, S., Stone, G.N., Potts, S.G., and Baldock, K.C.R. (2021). Quantifying nectar production by flowering plants in urban and rural landscapes. Journal of Ecology, 109(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13598
Celine Vadam
Celine Vadam
Founder & CEO of WE(i) Think

Gardens, producing fruits, vegetables and herbs, are implemented successfully in both urban hotels (with popular rooftop options) and hotels located in natural settings. Selecting the right products to plants, mindful of the seasons and using permaculture elements, is an effective way to restore the ecosystems, provide a garden to table offer to guests, and even food and/or work for the local community if the garden is large enough. It also offer guests a great opportunity to connect and learn more about the earth and its cycles. 

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