A formal statement of pro-environmental intention is now an accepted (and expected) dimension of hotel business, but to what extent are such policies an accurate and honest reflection of green credentials? Thirteen years and thousands of policy inspections’ experience has led the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) to issue a warning to consumers to look out for common “eco fibs.” The problem is that many environmental statements are misleading—we estimate as many as half contain inaccuracies or are too “woolly” to be convincing. The good news is that most of these are due to misunderstandings on the part of the...

Without a doubt, it has been a tough couple of years for virtually all hoteliers. Not only has RevPAR dropped precipitously, but even more importantly, net operating income decreased in more than 91 percent of all U.S. hotels in 2009 (Trends in the Hospitality Industry Report, 2010). With the suffering of the entire industry, however, comes attention, and Washington is taking notice. Some big changes are taking place in Small Business Administration (SBA) lending and as a hotelier, you may find that the SBA is now a viable alternative for your business. Once considered a paperwork nightmare for entrepreneurs and thus...

We are getting the little things right. We dutifully recycle plastic bottles. We’ve started bringing reusable bags to grocery stores. We even cut those plastic six-pack rings like the old public service announcements used to tell us to do. More and more, consumers are making environmentally responsible decisions. Why, then, are we still failing on some of the bigger things? In this case, our desire for new bigger things might be the source of the problem. In the past decade, televisions have grown bigger, then flatter, then bigger again. The emphasis is on the new: buy now, because your old...

Have you ever implemented an environmental initiative, only to find out that no one on your property knows it’s been implemented? Or launched a recycling program without increasing your capture rates? In today’s day and age, companies cannot afford to ignore sustainability, nor can they afford to put environmental initiatives in place without ever looking back. These programs, similar to mechanical equipment, need maintenance if they are to work effectively and contribute to savings. Ranging from 15 to more than 95 initiatives in place at various Saunders Hotel Group properties, each was at one point selected and implemented based on...

Being eco-savvy is no longer a trend. It has become a lifestyle, dictating consumer attitudes and spending habits, even decisions when it comes to traveling. According to a recent survey, guest satisfaction is substantially higher among guests who report being aware of their hotel’s green programs and seven out of 10 consumers prefer to patronize a business that demonstrates a commitment to the environment. While many eco-friendly efforts take time and money, small and easy conservation measures are having just as much of an impact on satisfying and retaining guests and contributing to a healthy bottom line. One of...

Does your hotel offer meeting and/or conference space? Have you noticed a trend in the RFPs you receive from groups, asking about your green or sustainable initiatives? All signs are pointing in the direction of a widespread increase in this trend. Even with the current recession, business meetings in the United States alone constitute an amazing $175 billion industry, and Americans make more than 400 million long-distance business trips each year. Don’t let your hotel miss an opportunity to garner its share of group business. Despite a global recession, investment levels in energy efficiency have remained strong, according to the Energy...

Your hotel will achieve its green marketing goals more easily when your team uses public relations (PR) as an organizing principle. Our company does this through an easy approach prioritized around content, search, and social media. An added benefit of this method is that it will help members of your marketing team stay fresh and be effective. This simple focus will enable you to leverage the pressure of daily deliverables instead of being swamped by them. I will explore these priorities one at a time and share a key hub-and-spoke organizing idea. Content By far, content is the most important part of...

Sustainable design trends are touching every aspect of hospitality properties these days. Most manufacturers are touting a “green” product lineup, and consumers are asking hotel owners and brands what they are doing to improve their ecological footprint. It is common to hear about energy and water efficiency and healthy environments but what is going on with materials and furniture? We can start with wood, a high percentage of the interior furnishings and materials in a hotel. We have all become more aware of the destruction from illegally harvested wood; illegal logging is a pervasive problem, causing enormous damage to forests...

Creating a green lodging facility starts long before installation of low-flow showerheads and the purchasing of organic cleaners. For newly built or expanded motels, lodges, bed and breakfasts and other hospitality facilities, some of the most important environmentally responsible features are ones the guests will never see. A case in point is the structural framing—the guts of any building that form the skeleton upon which everything else is built. The type of framing used is important in green construction since it makes up a large portion of the materials in buildings and in turn affects a number of issues ranging...

Standards must keep pace with emerging technology and innovation to better protect the health and safety of people, planet, and profits. In the hospitality industry, business interests cross not only state, but world borders. Our leading green policies and practices are trending toward more holistic, multi-attribute considerations. As we look at the future, the next level of certification or improvements must move from making claims to science supported standards. The success of any certification rests on whether it is based on a trusted, consistent standard, and on the degree to which the industry, customers and supply chain worldwide demonstrate their...