Hotels have become increasingly effective at improving the efficiency of their operations and conserving energy, many realizing meaningful energy savings and improved profitability. Such changes can also provide an opportunity to generate renewable energy on site with a photovoltaic (PV) system, displacing electricity that would have otherwise been purchased from a utility. Not to be confused with solar thermal systems that capture the heat of the sunlight warming the Earth, PV systems generate electricity from the sunlight. As solar electric PV technology continues to improve in efficiency, reliability, and become more accessible for various applications and situations, more hotels are...

With increased expectations from customers, attention from the media, and regulatory scrutiny, sustainability has made its way to the forefront of the hospitality industry. Sustainability has become a business imperative as lodging companies seek to improve operational efficiencies and respond to conscientious consumers as well as the actions of their competitors. A recent survey conducted by Deloitte reflects the expectations of business travelers that hospitality companies will adopt green policies. Of the more than 1,000 travelers surveyed, 34 percent said they seek out hotels that are environmentally friendly, and 38 percent have researched green lodging facilities either online or by...

There’s widespread consensus among the scientific community that human activities are altering the Earth’s climate through increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, causing the potential for large-scale adverse health, social, economic and ecological effects. There’s also an abundance of scientific evidence that many of the predicted environmental changes are now occurring. What may not be so clear is how climate change will affect the lodging industry in particular, what the industry can do to combat it and where you can start to do your part. The broad impacts of climate change could potentially have serious implications for the lodging industry as...

Cutting costs, enhancing cash flow and making wise investments while strengthening brands are at the heart of business decisions being made today by hoteliers operating properties both large and small. Old processes, old practices and old thinking are being tested and being challenged. With CEOs and CFOs pressed to find new ways to cut costs, they need only look to the enormous cost savings potential of refillable dispensers for guestroom baths. With a minimal investment, a single hotel will save thousands of dollars annually. If you have hundreds of hotels, the savings opportunity is too large not to investigate. Changing the...

For the hotel industry, energy savings can be one of the best ways to reduce cost while increasing guest satisfaction. The industry not only is being encouraged to switch its energy consumption practices to more environmentally friendly alternatives but also is being incentivized by local municipalities to implement these changes. Some states are going as far as offering tax breaks for businesses that are switching to more efficient lighting, like light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). In many areas, matching funds also are available for energy saving programs. Those in the hotel industry are weighing the pros and cons...

It’s tough out there nowadays and there’s no denying it. This miserable economic climate that prevails has caused most hoteliers to write off 2009 with only hope that 2010 will be much better. But we can’t afford to keep our heads in the sand for a year and expect to pop it out and everything will be fine and dandy, as though we are waking up from a bad dream. That type of fairy dust just doesn’t occur in the real world. Hoteliers need to keep their head above water and do more than tread it—they need to find...

As hotel and restaurant operators prepare for post-9/11-like operating conditions, an effective way to reduce internal accounting costs and utility consumption is to adopt a sophisticated utility data management system. The majority of multi-unit hotel and restaurant operators have utility invoices sent to their headquarters where they are processed by internal accounts payable clerks or they are processed at the property level by management who should be focused on service delivery and revenue management. While on the surface the direct labor costs may make this seem like an efficient strategy, if one were to dive deeper into the indirect...

In my last article, “How to Tell Your Green Story When Times are Tough,” I talked about how to be more creative and targeted with your message in the midst of this challenging economy. The second part of my two-part series is entitled, “How to Capitalize on Green Trends & Opportunities During Difficult Times.” A lot has changed since I wrote my last article. President Obama has taken office and put in place an economic stimulus package that includes investing in renewable energy and creating green jobs. As Americans are counting their dollars, they are looking for destinations and hoteliers...

Looking to transform your hotel or resort pool amenity area into a lean, green energy-saving machine? Here are five suggestions that will put a smile on your facility manager’s face. Warm Up to Thermal Blankets While some operators may complain about the labor that it takes to remove and replace pool covers each day, you get more “bang from your buck” utilizing a well insulated set of thermal blankets on your pool (even indoors) than just about anything else. Studies on outdoor pools have shown up to 40 percent savings in natural gas costs for those operators that are dutiful in...

Preserving a Sense of Place is the easiest piece of sustainable hotel operations, but often overlooked. “To travel well, we believe, is to soak up authenticity. And where we spend the night is part of the picture. Does the hotel incorporate—and share—the soul of its location? Are resources respected and conserved? When possible, is the food put on the table local? Does the property play a vital role in the community, sharing some of its profits with local causes?”—National Geographic’s 2008 Stay List Every hotel operates within a unique setting, comprised of its surrounding landscape, culture, history, people, native foods and...