The hospitality industry has a lot of wastage in general. It comes with the territory as they are in service of people. For example, restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, lodges, spas, and so forth have to provide hygienic facilities. A lot of water is used to wash linen and other products. Hence, sustainability is an important aspect that these industries have to address. The hotel industry is most probably the largest in the hospitality industry, one should, therefore, give it some thought here.
First, a short description of what sustainability means in general could be helpful. The understanding is that sustainability is inclusive. Everybody should be involved, and this includes the hotel industry. It is the duty of all citizens everywhere to live sustainable lives. This means that all should strive to create eco-centric homes. It means that the emphasis should be on water conservation, less damage to the environment, and using resources in such a way that it does not compromise the future (Stevens, 2016).
The hotel industry services many people, and they are often overwhelmed by the amount of wastage. This can work against the sustainability of the environment, but also against their businesses. It is, therefore, important for them to find ways in which to sustain the environment as well as their businesses. Traditionally, the hotel industry has had a negative impact on the environment resulting from the large consumption of water, energy resources, fuel, and food. With the advent of the need for sustainability action, many hotels had to face this consumption, as well as the wastage that revolves around paper disposal, the disposal of batteries, light bulbs, e-waste and much more (Stottler, 2016).
In recent years, the hotel industry discovered that they could provide great services to customers with the inclusion of a green mindset. A number of elements the industry adopted, allows for cost saving, economic incentives, regulation, guest experiences, and for the corporate and brand image to develop (Stottler, 2016). Even with these incentives, the various hotel companies around the world, still need to make a concerted effort to have an increasing sustainability projects. This means that the companies should introduce sustainability policies. Some of the large companies started these processes, especially with regard their “brands and their properties.” The policies would include the reduction of energy use. This will include the training of staff as well as in communication with guests – that is, how to save on energy consumption in the hotel. This is an opportunity to allow the messages to run across the entire chain of hotels – big or small. These large international chains are in excellent positions to engage their customers with benefits. This can be expanded to the aspect of sustainability. Other hotel chains would follow the example of these influential chains, as there is constant competition with these influential hotel chains. For many companies it could start with the building, especially if a new hotel is being erected. This would be an ideal opportunity to allow sustainability to its full use (Upadhyay n. d.).
In order for the hotel industry to be successful, they needed to pay attention to sustainability, and most hotels are doing so, or are in the process of doing so. There are those that are still struggling to maintain a balance especially those that are situated on the edge of the ocean. Kenya, for example issued a warning that hotels – especially beach hotels – found to pollute the ocean will be closed down (Ringa & Ndurya, 2009). In general, however, most hotels are making every effort to prevent pollution – even accidental pollution – they go as far as paying for their own waste disposal.
The hotel industry need to understand that guests are knowledgeable, and appreciate the effort they make to ensure the health and safety of them as well as the environment.
References
Ringa, M., & Ndurya, M. (2009, June 15). Beach hotels warned on ocean pollution. Retrieved January 27, 2017, from http://www.nation.co.ke/news/-/1056/611372/-/4gv50kz/-/index.html
Stevens, M. (2016, September 13). What Is Environmental Sustainability and Why Is It Important. Retrieved January 26, 2017, from http://www.sustainablefriends.com/what-is-environmental-sustainability-why-is-it-important/
Stottler, T. (2016, February 03). Importance of Sustainability in Hospitality. Retrieved January
26, 2017, from http://www.danacommunications.com/importance-of-sustainability-in-the-hospitality-industry/
Upadhyay, A., Vadam, C., & Mohan, S. (n.d.). Sustainable Operations in Hotel Industry –
pomsmeetings.org. Retrieved January 26, 2017, from https://www.bing.com/cr?IG=065522A1F76043ECA92F9ABD9D6543A2&CID=15E358A1E3C96750304A52B7E2F86625&rd=1&h=NQ9ql-RKNiHNxu8mqQOGz6BmbNpX5rk6T6DcyGYPS58&v=1&r=https%3a%2f%2fwww.pomsmeetings.org%2fconfpapers%2f060%2f060-0269.pdf&p=DevEx,5075.1
