Improving US hotel operations by introducing sustainability initiatives

PA Consulting Group’s article titled “All You Wanted to Know About Sustainability Initiatives in the International Operations of US-based Hotel Chains” published in www.hotelexecutive.com describes the following sustainability initiatives that US hotel chains are implementing:

• Common Focus on Energy Management - Virtually all US chains have embraced energy management in their hotel facilities. The focus on energy management reflects the cost control approach to sustainability and reliance on the engineering department to deliver savings at the property and group levels. Energy management systems, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controls, and efficient compact florescent lighting have become standards. Hotel chains commitment to meeting guest expectations in terms of comfort and amenities often resulted in perceived conflicts with conservation programs.

• Sustainability Enters the Guest Room - The most common guest-orientated sustainability initiative is the towel and/or linen reuse card in the guest room. If implemented effectively, a linen and towel reuse program can significantly reduce energy, water and chemical use. Individual US flag properties operating in leisure destinations served as the test case.

• Recognizing Individual Property Contributions to Sustainable Development - The growing awareness of the international leisure traveler has given rise to a multitude of sustainable tourism awards and certification schemes that acknowledge success attempts to chart new strategies of healthy tourism. Some of the awards schemes include British Airways’ “Tourism for Tomorrow” awards, Virgin Holidays’ “Responsible Tourism” awards, the International Hotel and Restaurant Association/American Express “Green Hotelier and Restaurateur of the Year” award and National Geographic Society’s “World Legacy” awards.

• Corporate Sustainability Programs of Selected US-based Hotel Chains - Most of the global chains such as Starwood, Marriott, and Intercontinental have had established corporate environmental guidelines focusing on “back of house” standard practices that focus on reducing electricity and water utility costs. One example is Marriott’s Environmentally Conscious Hotel Operations (ECHO) program. The “top down” approach allowed individual properties to adopt other environmental initiatives on a selective basis.

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