There are many sides to sustainability. The concept is most associated with being earth-friendly: mindful use of renewable resources, attentive recycling practices, and limiting energy use in an effort to put less stress on the environment. In the hospitality industry, sustainability generally refers to sourcing green materials and engaging in energy-efficient practices, from recommending the reuse of towels—the better to save water and power—to shutting down conference rooms when not in use. But sustainability is also about putting people first. In the hospitality industry, this attitude comes naturally: the guest experience is always the priority. Nevertheless, lighting control is often overlooked as...

Hoteliers and their partners shape the vision of their hotels—the interiors, the food and beverage spaces, the theme and the list goes on. Their mission focuses on creating a unique and thoughtful destination that provides guests with personalized experiences no matter where in the world the property is located. With many hoteliers hopping on the green movement bandwagon over the past five to 10 years, the choices hoteliers and interior designers make when they select products have been shifting—big hotel brands are actively seeking a greener approach in every aspect of their properties. One easy eco-conscious decision hoteliers and designers...

On average, nearly 70 million tons of food is wasted each year in the United States. With the novel coronavirus COVID-19 effectively turning the world upside down, this number promises to increase. Among those expected to experience an increase in food waste generated on-site is the hospitality industry. As short-term lodging sites and hotels adjust their practices and occupancy levels, food is discarded at a higher rate due to a lack of sales or guests. Hotels have typically been at the forefront of the food waste challenge in the hospitality industry. Overnight guests are known for adding to the amount...

As businesses prepare to reopen their doors and begin operating in the wake of COVID-19, they should consider the new expectations—and concerns—of their customers. Whether your hotel doors have been closed or you have repurposed your rooms to support nonprofit and government efforts, your hotel requires certain measures prior to re-opening to the public. What those measures are, however, may be less clear. It may be difficult to discern where to begin when making these unprecedented business decisions, especially with 24/7 updates on the virus. Rather than wait to endure the potential consequences of a haphazard plan, consider orienting your...

In just three months, the coronavirus spread from Wuhan, China, to every corner of the world. Everyone is affected by this global pandemic, and few industries have been as negatively impacted as hospitality and travel. As in any crisis, communication with employees is essential. With hotels closing/opening daily and workers being furloughed/rehired, hoteliers are quickly realizing that they do not have effective communication processes in place to stay connected with their valued workforces. Although hotel companies are working diligently to triage this crisis the best they can, each are facing limitations. But there is some good news. Digital employee-communication...

Here is what hotel managers need to know: After COVID-19, few things will be the same. Hotel guests are going to be concerned that not only are the hotels they stay in cleaned using green cleaning tools, methods, and equipment, but steps have been taken to ensure the entire property is healthy. And one way they will be able to determine this is if the property has been WELL certified. The WELL program is relatively new. The International WELL Building Institute, as it is officially known, is about six years old. It was started by many of the same people that...

When it comes to finding the right HVAC system for your building, it can be challenging to find the right balance between high-quality performance and meeting sustainability goals. To make the best decision, building owners have to compare the purchase and installation price, operational cost and projected life expectancy of the equipment. Often, the most energy-efficient equipment can cost more to install up-front but also offer significant savings in operational costs over the long term. On the other side of the equation, less efficient equipment may end up costing less initially but will use more energy during day to day operations....

“Let me start by making it clear that today and for the coming months every government and industry action must be focused on a total response, repeat total response, to the global enemy of COVID-19. To health issues: livelihood issues: family issues and business survival issues. It is war. Nothing is more important than coherent national and international response, where coordinated, joined up action is the only path open.” As the pandemic crisis intensifies, pulling the world economy towards recession, it’s clear that the travel and tourism sector is in the center of the maelstrom. Airlines are slashing flights. Cruise...

Safety has become an important discussion topic across our industry as reports of unsafe working environments for hotel staff have begun to emerge in the media. Surveys around the nation show that housekeepers are sexually assaulted at over twice the rate of workers in other industries. With incidents of injury, assault or harassment against hotel staff being notoriously high across the industry, it is imperative that hotels seek out every opportunity to protect their team, and their reputation, from unnecessary risk and harm. Embracing the industry-wide call for improved policies and resources, hotels around the United States have taken swift...

Travel isn’t always a bed of roses. There are natural disasters, tainted products, bad actors, data breaches, regional and global viruses, and events big and small that require industries to step up, speak up, and do whatever it takes to take care of their employees and customers. As the coronavirus outbreak tops 93,000 in dozens of countries, it’s an appropriate time to offer advice on how to handle an industry crisis. Protect Your Employees, Guests, & Brand Brands have a responsibility to ensure life safety for associates and guests. Government safety regulations vary around the world, but standards, processes, communications and training...