Anyone looking for concrete evidence that our industry is going green need look no further than the just released report entitled, “The 2014 Lodging Study Hotel Trends: An Inside Look at Popular Amenities and Guest Services.” The report summarizes the results of a survey of more than 9,600 hoteliers. The American Hotel & Lodging Assn., along with STR, produced the survey that was funded by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation. Green Lodging News has reported in the past on this same survey that is generated every two years.
If you are an AH&LA member you can get a complete copy of the survey results at no cost. Otherwise, the cost is $1,500 for all of the results or $300 for each individual data point. See the article I posted this past week for details.
Among the survey questions were many that have something to do with environmental initiatives. Some questions were asked for the first time while others have been asked for the last decade. I will not share all of the results with you but here are some highlights. Those claiming to offer allergy-friendly rooms in 2014: 45 percent of respondents. This is up from 24 percent in 2008. The percentage of hotels with energy management sensors in the room in 2014: 29 percent. This is up from 15 percent in 2004. The percentage of hotels with recycling programs in 2014: 64 percent. This is up from 32 percent in 2004. Larger hotels, those with more than 130 rooms, are most likely to have a recycling program (81 percent of those hotels responding).
Sharp Decline in Newspaper Delivery
The number of respondents indicating they have water-saving programs: 77 percent. This is up from 46 percent in 2008. The number of hotels offering vegetarian menu choices: 41 percent in 2014. This is up from 25 percent in 2004. Interestingly, there was a significant drop in the number of hotels that deliver newspapers to the guestroom door. In 2014 the percentage was 58 percent, down from 76 percent in 2012. In 2012, hotels were asked if they offer electric vehicle charging stations. At that time 5 percent said they do offer them. This year 11 percent of hotels said they offer them. For the first time hotels were asked if they contribute to charities. Most do contribute. By price segment, luxury and upscale hotels contribute are most likely to contribute.
Not all green trends continued upwards in 2014. The percentage of hotels with 100 percent nonsmoking rooms remained the same in 2014 as it did in 2012: 63 percent. Also, the number of respondents saying they either have or are working toward a green certification dropped from 49 percent in 2012 to 43 percent this year.
In future columns I will revisit the survey results. In the meantime be sure to get a copy as there are many data points I did not cover. And, the survey results go into much more detail than I am able to here.
What to Do with Corporate Gift Cards?
One of our readers is looking for a way to recycle plastic corporate gift cards. Any suggestions? Contact Rachel Cyr, Controller, The Seagate, (561) 498-2788, or e-mail rcyr@theseagatehotel.com.
Green Lodging News Adds Agaia as Directory Partner
Green Lodging News welcomes Agaia, Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. According to Agaia, Evolve is the first all-natural, green cleaning technology proven in both lab testing and customer use to match or exceed the performance of petroleum-based Jan-San cleaners and laundry detergents. Five products have received Green Seal certifications: All Surface Cleaner, Glass & Window, All Duty Industrial 203, Hard Water & Scale Remover, Laundry for Industrial and Institutional Use. Call (800) 992-4242, e-mail learnmore@agaiainc.com or visit www.agaiainc.com for more information.
Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Planning Advertising for 2014/2015?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2014/2015. Many excellent spots are available on the website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2014 or 2015 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. Media kits can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Newsletter & Green Supplier Spotlight Circulation Tops 5,000
The circulation of our weekly e-newsletter and Green Supplier Spotlight recently topped 5,000. Thank you to our new subscribers for signing up. Be sure to encourage your colleagues to do the same. There is a “subscribe” form in the upper left area of the Green Lodging News home page.
Green Lodging News & Social Media
Green Lodging News now has 1,562 Twitter followers. Thank you to all of those who follow our tweets. In addition to following us on Twitter, be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also on Facebook. Be sure to “Like” us there. Green Lodging News now has 622 Facebook followers.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
