If you still are not convinced that going green, focusing on wellness, and promoting your hotel that way is the best way to position your business, allow me to share the results of several reports that “hit my desk” this past week.
First, The Vacationer, an online travel journal, posted its Sustainable Travel Survey 2022 results. The anonymous survey included 1,096 American adults over the age of 18 and was conducted online using SurveyMonkey’s interface/audience on March 1, 2022. Eric Jones analyzed the survey. He is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Rowan College South Jersey.
When asked how important sustainable travel is to them, more than 87 percent of survey respondents said sustainable travel is either Somewhat Important or Very Important to them. The 87.32 percent represents nearly 225 million people based on the current census. This is 4.65 percent more people than in the 2021 sustainable travel survey.
When asked if they intend to make more sustainable (eco-friendly) decisions when planning travel, nearly 82 percent of American adults say they intend to make more eco-friendly decisions when planning travel. The 81.57 percent includes the 29.84 percent that says they will do it even if it inconveniences them. Also, it includes the 51.73 percent of American adults that say they will do it only if it does not inconvenience them. In total, the 81.57 percent represents 210 million people. It is also 6.72 percent or over 17 million more people than said they intend to make more sustainable travel choices last year.
A Willingness to Spend More
Previous surveys by others have found travelers willing to spend more on green travel. The Vacationer asked, “How much more would you be willing to spend on your vacation in order to lower your carbon footprint from the trip?” More than 78 percent of American adults would pay more for a vacation to lower their carbon footprint. The 78.28 percent represents 202 million people. It also is more than the 71.37 percent, or 184 million people, that said they would pay more for a vacation last year. Additionally, 11.68 percent of American adults or 30 million people said they would spend $250 or more to lower their carbon footprint when traveling. Also, 2.46 percent or more than 6 million Americans said they would spend over $500.
More than 37 percent of people do not think there are enough sustainable travel options when it comes to flights, hotels, and rental cars. Another 44.43 percent of people do not know.
Interestingly, about 86 percent of respondents said they are at least or more careful with energy and water usage while in a hotel or Airbnb.
NRPA Poll Results
More than three in four U.S. adults agree it is extremely or very important for children and young adults to learn about the environment and ways they can be good environmental stewards in their communities, according to a newly released National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) poll. Additionally, younger generations, such as millennials and Gen Zers, are most likely to believe it is important for youth to become environmentally conscious. How is your property helping to educate today’s children about environmental protection?
ASID 2022 Trends Report
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) released its 2022 Trends Report, part one of the three-part Outlook Report revealing significant industry trends and implications, economic indicators and shifts in the interior design profession.
The report found that health and wellness continue to dominate both residential and commercial design due to the lasting effects of the pandemic. Sustainability has also shifted from a nice-to-have to a must-have for designers and consumers alike.
Workplace wellness is a must for employees and businesses and the future of office design is evolving. As ways of working and employees’ attitudes toward work are changing, employers and designers are trying to figure out what the office of the future should look like. Emerging trends include allowing more freedom and flexibility to employees to design their own spaces, creating experience-based environments with more sensory inputs, the return of the private office and providing more spaces that support team and interactive activities.
Hotels and resorts are looking to refresh and renew their interiors as they await the return of guests. Those in the hospitality industry are busy refreshing their properties to improve comfort and safety and to update aesthetics. Some current trends include replacing select textiles and wood with porcelain, glass, and composite materials. Also at the forefront are strategies that provide personal control of light and temperature, biophilia and ergonomics. Statistically, wellness tourism is projected to generate $436 billion in 2022.
Finally, wellness real estate outpaces other types of construction. Environments designed intentionally to protect and enhance occupant health and well-being comprise a growing portion of construction projects. Wellness features and healthy design will become nearly ubiquitous in luxury properties and in workplaces, with a growing emphasis not just on wellbeing but on improved human health. The total number of wellness-certified building projects worldwide from the two big players, The Well Building Standard (WELL) and Fitwel, have grown ninefold in the last three years. Certifications have skyrocketed from 200 in 2018 to 952 in 2020.
In this tight labor market, you would be wise to appeal to this generation’s concern about the environment and wellness. You are very likely to end up with more heads in beds at your hotel.
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 greenlodgingnews@gmail.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 greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Get in the Green Suppliers Spotlight!
Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, publishes Green Suppliers Spotlight, an e-blast to 22,206 subscribers that features the lodging industry’s leading green products and services. The e-blast features multiple vendors—unlike the current Green Supplier Spotlight that allows one supplier to “own” the Green Lodging News subscriber list for one e-blast. (Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample.)
Green Suppliers Spotlight is published weekly on Thursdays to general managers, owners, management companies, directors of sustainability, directors of engineering, facilities managers and many others who are either in purchasing positions or who influence purchasing decisions. Suppliers of green products and services throughout North America and beyond are invited to participate in the e-blast. (Minimum two suppliers per e-blast.) Green Suppliers Spotlight was created to give vendors an opportunity to reach a high number of industry purchasers at a very low cost—as low as $200 per e-mail. (Click here for rate sheet.)
Those advertising in Green Suppliers Spotlight can include up to 100 words, one image, contact information and multiple links to their website in their ad. At the end of each week, a report will be sent to each supplier with information on delivered e-mails, opens and click-throughs.
Planning Advertising for 2022?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2022. Many excellent spots are available on our website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2022 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com. A media kit can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
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