Sustainability Opinion Articles - Hospitality Net

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Opinion Article

January 4, 2022

2022: The Great Pivot? Hospitality Actions for the Decade of Decarbonisation & Restoration

From pledges to on-the-ground actions; the race to decarbonisation is on. This decade is also about restoring ecosystems which are vital to the global hospitality sector. Seasoned experts provide advice on proven and tested solutions and raise new ideas tackling both climate and biodiversity challenges.

By Willy Legrand, Professor, IU International University of Applied Sciences Germany, IU International University of Applied Sciences

Opinion Article

December 29, 2021

How to Prepare Your Hotel Against Unwanted Guests

The pandemic may have disrupted global travel, but as we put the finishing touches on our new hotel in Paris, planning for a post-pandemic world was paramount. Health and hygiene is always a consideration, but it was even higher on our agenda as we sought to build the most reassuring, safe environment for guests to experience. Coupled with an ambition to use ‘best practice’ environmentally-friendly procedures throughout the hotel, we decided to adopt a revolutionary new technology to protect against pests.

By Max Malka, Hotel Owner, Spotta Smart Pest Systems

Opinion Article

December 27, 2021

Emission Critical

Many paths in life have a way of coming full circle. On December 1st, 2021, I was one of over 100 passengers who gathered to make aviation history aboard the world’s first passenger flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). United is the world leader in the usage and support of SAF, an alternative fuel made with non-petroleum feedstocks. The airline has agreements to purchase nearly twice as much SAF as the known agreements of all other global airlines combined.

By Jim Hartnett, Vice President Global Supplier Management CWT, CWT

Opinion Article

December 21, 2021

Building a Sustainable Future: How Hotels are Blending Design and Technology for a Greener Tomorrow

The global hotel construction pipeline has reached a record high, and consumers are asking developers and brands to consider sustainable construction and design initiatives. 82% of luxury travelers, for example, want to travel more sustainably in the future as a result of the ongoing pandemic, according to global travel agency Virtuoso. In an effort to meet this market demand, hotel brands, architects, engineers, and community leaders are collaborating to build eco-friendly properties, centered around sustainability, the guest experience, and efficiency.

By Drew Conte, Graduate Student, Cornell

Opinion Article

December 15, 2021

Welcome 2022: A New Year for Our Industry

At the end of 2020, we said goodbye to an almost universally challenging year and welcomed a fresh start, with hope for all of us in the travel industry. And while 2021 has still seen plenty of uncertainty around the world, our early optimism has paid off in some respects.

By Jennifer Andre, Vice President, Business Development, Expedia Group Media Solutions

Opinion Article

December 9, 2021

ESG - Climate change strategy as a differentiator for talent

In a recent PwC survey on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues, employees expressed dissatisfaction with corporate investments across a range of environmental priorities. While 55% of business leaders said their companies are stepping up investments in climate change action, only 36% of employees agreed. Setting a top-down strategy for reducing emissions is a big milestone for any company. But how do you inspire the workforce to drive change? It should involve finding common ground with the vocal minority of workers who are climate change naysayers. The pandemic has highlighted many rifts in our communities, and climate change is one of them. In the coming months, companies should expect to play a role in bridging divides, perhaps more than many are used to.

By Bhushan Sethi, Joint Global Leader, People & Organization, PwC (US)

Opinion Article

December 9, 2021

Air-Travel Trends: the future is sustainable and interconnected

While travel has not yet resumed its previous levels after a period of major depression, airlines are taking the time to take an introspective look and improve. We met with Romain Vetter, Head of Western Switzerland for SWISS International Air Lines, to talk about his perspective on the future and trends of air travel and the challenges that the industry is facing. 

By Romain Vetter, Martin Diaz, and Caroline Schmid

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Opinion Article

December 7, 2021

2022 Top Hospitality Industry Trends

What are the latest trends in the hospitality industry? It goes without saying that the pandemic and ensuing economic downturn greater than the 2008 recession and chaos caused by fluctuation in demand have had a significant impact on hospitality throughout 2020 and 2021 - no doubt with lingering effects. Some innovative responses to this extraordinary situation like attempting to entice patrons back into food and beverage outlets and assure holidaygoers that it is indeed safe to enjoy a hotel stay, have accelerated existing hospitality industry trends and triggered lasting change.

By Dr Jean-Philippe Weisskopf and Philippe Masset

Opinion Article

December 1, 2021

Sustainable hotels and The Black Sheep Inn: An example to follow

Although the number of hotels and inns claiming to be sustainable keeps increasing, in reality how many of them are good examples of sustainable hospitality? The Black Sheep Inn in the Ecuadorian highlands is surely one of them. Recognized by various sustainability agencies, ‘La Posada de la Oveja Negra’, as it is called in Spanish, continues to attract travelers from around the world who seek profoundly sustainable lodging. The TripAdvisor’s Ecolíders Platino (2016), the Certificate of Excellence (2013), the SKÅL International Ecotourism Award (2006), and the First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards (2005) are only a few of the numerous international accolades the Black Sheep Inn has received during its 25 years of existence.

By Peter Varga, Assistant Professor, EHL

Opinion Article

November 22, 2021

Why Hospitality Schools Should Teach Biodiversity

When not traveling for work, we travel to explore destinations, seeking relaxation and inspiration to recharge our batteries. As tourists, we want an environment that is clean and untouched. Nobody wants to go on vacation and lie on the beach next to a pile of garbage. Whether diving in the ocean, climbing a mountain for a glorious view, or heading out on a safari, one of the major reasons we travel is to discover foreign ecosystems and their wildlife.

By Sylvana Navarro, Assistant Dean, Swiss Education Group

Opinion Article

November 22, 2021

HVS Monday Musings: Sustainability in the Hotel Industry is Crucial to Combat Climate Change

Extreme weather, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, storms, and cyclones across the world are undeniable proof of climate change's pervasive influence, which has resulted in massive social and economic losses in recent years. India has not been immune, with devastating floods, cloudbursts, and landslides wreaking havoc in numerous states this year alone. International organizations and governments from all over the world have recognized the crisis and are working together to reduce the impact and safeguard the environment for future generations. At the recently concluded COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference, India, too, vowed to become carbon-neutral by 2070, a target that will necessitate unprecedented collaboration between stakeholders across industries, including tourism and hospitality.

By Mandeep Lamba and Dipti Mohan

Opinion Article

November 19, 2021

ESG Real Estate: did the message of COP-26 backfire?

90% of buildings are at risk of stranding no matter what pledges are made at the UN climate summit in Glasgow. With tightening climate laws and banks and pension funds cutting investment, who will control these “brown” buildings in the future?

By Lucienne Mosquera, Co-founder of SustainUK and currently developing services to accelerate and simplify decarbonization and optimization of building and retrofit projects, Hospitality Business Development

Opinion Article

November 15, 2021

What are the hospitality trends for 2022?

We can hardly believe it’s time for a 2022 trends piece already, but here we are. As the western world continues cautiously down the path of recovery, we’ve been keeping a close eye on what recovery means for the hospitality industry going forward. Certain global concerns were impacting our industry pre-Covid (ethical travel, climate change, impact on the environment) and when we look at guest feelings, habits, patterns and concerns since travel has opened up, it seems Covid has magnified those issues and brought them forward so that no-one in the hospitality industry can feign ignorance.

Opinion Article

November 15, 2021

Don’t Buck the Plant-Based Trend

It’s a slow, relentless march towards zero-carbon emissions for all businesses in all industries. While the goal of ‘net zero’ has been given a far-off deadline like 2035 or 2050, many corporations are already pivoting so that they can improve operational efficiencies – minimizing the ‘green premium’ as it is known in economics – as well as capitalize upon any trendsetter cachet. The beginning of October saw two major announcements in the F&B space that hoteliers should be conscious of.

By Larry Mogelonsky and Adam Mogelonsky

Opinion Article

November 15, 2021

Tips for sustainable food sourcing practices courtesy of Beelong

In order to understand its level of sustainability and environmentally-friendly practices, EHL allowed the Beelong start-up to analyse every product and ingredient used in cooking for the school's busy food court. The Beelong audit replied to some simple questions: How to choose food products that are more environmentally friendly? How to buy professionally using criteria other than price, quality or packaging?

By Natacha Reymond, Sustainability Initiatives Coordinator, EHL

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Opinion Article

November 12, 2021

Six trends that will shake up the travel space in 2022

Personally, I hope the future holds at least one sunny holiday for me and my family on the beautiful beaches of Sarasota, Florida—our favorite vacation spot—and I know I’m not alone. The last two years have been a roller-coaster for most people around the world. With vaccines and digital health passports now making the rounds, we can finally begin looking forward to new adventures, both near and far.

By Dan Batchelor, VP Global Corporate Communications & Social Responsibility

Opinion Article

November 10, 2021

The 10 Green Building Principles aiming to get real estate to net zero

Net zero commitments have surged this year as cities, investors, businesses and educational institutions signal their intent to help create a more sustainable future. This shared ambition, boosted by the UN’s Race to Zero campaign, indicates that we are moving in the right direction. But we need more. Next year must be when we turn talk into tangible action plans.

By Christian Ulbrich, Chief Executive Officer & President, JLL

Opinion Article

November 9, 2021

How to reduce food loss (and waste) from the hospitality industry?

Hospitality businesses can implement a number of responsible practices. The very first step for them is to develop ‘sustainable’ menus. The restaurants’ menus can offer a choice of different portion sizes to satisfy the requirements of different customers. They may feature fewer items in their menus to operate their business with a reduced inventory of food products to decrease storage costs, minimize waste and spoilage.

By Mark Anthony Camilleri, Associate Professor, University of Malta

Opinion Article

October 22, 2021

Hospitality Business: New Development Goals and Initiatives

Unlike the previous year, which is usually considered as a year of a pause or a loss, this 2021 became the year of taking action, tourism industry collaboration, and launching essential initiatives aimed not only at the sector recovery but also at operating responsibly and growing sustainably. Let’s take a closer look at these initiatives and new development goals.

By Bogdan Romashko, Chief Marketing Officer, HotelFriend AG

Opinion Article

October 20, 2021

Doing the right thing, for the right reasons, right now

CWT's CEO, Michelle McKinney Frymire talks about sustainability with Julian Walker, our Head of External Communications.

By Julian Walker and Michelle McKinney