With travelers increasingly seeking eco-friendly accommodations, hotels must implement sustainable practices to remain competitive. However, sustainability is a concept that constantly evolves, posing challenges for hotel managers who need to stay informed. Fortunately, there are trusted resources available to help hotel managers stay ahead of the curve. This blog post highlights 10 resources that hotel managers can rely on to keep up with the latest standards.
Sustainable hotel key cards: one of many ways hotels can meet modern sustainability standards
The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance is a nonprofit organization made up of well-known hotel companies from around the world. Together, they work toward making a positive difference when it comes to human rights and environmental concerns.
As the leading representative of the hospitality industry in the movement toward responsible business practices, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance offers valuable guidance, resources, and training for hotel professionals at all levels. Whether for independent hotels or large multinational corporations, their goal is to ensure that sustainability becomes a top priority in every aspect of the hospitality industry, from operations and supply chain management to guest interactions and community engagement.
Green Lodging News
Green Lodging News is a publication that covers the most recent developments, trends, and best practices for sustainable hotels. Their website features diverse content ranging from articles and interviews to product reviews. Hotel managers also have the opportunity to share their sustainability stories and be featured on the website.
Booking.com
Booking.com, a well-known travel platform, has taken a significant step toward promoting environmentally friendly operations by introducing several sustainability initiatives. These initiatives aim to assist the accommodation sector in improving their eco-friendly practices by offering insights, best practices, and guidelines.
These programs encourage property partners to embrace sustainable approaches across operational areas such as waste management, water conservation, renewable energy utilization, and locally sourced food. Through the provision of resources, tools, and information, businesses in the travel industry can effectively implement sustainable strategies. Booking.com also prioritizes transparency in these endeavors by empowering travelers with the ability to make informed choices and support accommodations that align with their values.
Green Globe
Green Globe is a recognized certification program that focuses on promoting sustainable travel and tourism. Through this program, hotels can enhance their environmental performance using a defined framework.
Green Globe's comprehensive certification process covers more than 40 criteria related to areas like social responsibility, waste management, and energy consumption.
Green Key
The Green Key is an eco-label given to tourism and leisure establishments that meet specific environmental criteria. It covers aspects such as water conservation, waste management, energy efficiency, and more. This program provides hotel managers with a practical framework to implement and enhance eco-friendly practices in their establishments.
Apart from the recognition, being part of the Green Key program also offers access to a range of resources, advice, and examples of best practices from a global network of environmentally conscious establishments. Additionally, certified businesses can use the Green Key award as a marketing tool to attract travelers who prioritize eco-friendly options.
Global Sustainable Tourism Council
The GSTC is an international organization responsible for establishing standards in sustainable travel and tourism. Their guidelines serve as benchmarks for determining whether a particular operation meets the requirements for responsible practices.
The GSTC provides a comprehensive set of guidelines for sustainability certification and offers support, advice, and resources for hotels and other tourism businesses. Their certification process covers multiple aspects of sustainability, including environmental management, social responsibility, and the preservation of cultural heritage. PrintPlast is a proud member of the GSTC and provides eco-friendly hotel key cards made of FSC-certified wood and paper that are safe for our planet.
Sustainable Travel International
STI is a nonprofit organization that globally promotes sustainable tourism practices. They assist hotels and other tourism businesses in reducing their environmental impact and enhancing their social responsibility. STI offers a wide array of resources, including training programs, certifications, and consultancy services to support sustainability efforts.
Hotel Energy Solutions
Hotel Energy Solutions is an initiative supported by the European Union aimed at helping small and medium-sized hotels reduce energy consumption and costs. They provide guidance and tools like energy audits, energy-saving measures, and case studies showcasing best practices such as solar panels, LED lighting, and efficient air conditioning systems.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the world's largest and most well-known conservation organizations. While they are primarily focused on the preservation of natural habitats and species, the WWF also works directly with businesses to help them minimize their environmental footprint.
For the hospitality industry, the WWF provides a number of tools and resources designed to help hotel managers adopt greener practices. Their hotel-specific initiatives focus on areas such as responsible sourcing of seafood and minimizing food waste. They offer consulting and educational resources, including a hotel kitchen toolkit that helps reduce food waste, ultimately reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
The Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust is a forward-thinking organization that focuses on helping businesses transition toward low-carbon operations. Their main objective is to support the development of a low-carbon economy by implementing programs dedicated to sustainability.
They work closely with hotels and resorts of all sizes, providing them with expertise in the form of insights, comprehensive roadmaps, and practical action plans. The goal is to assist these establishments in reducing their carbon footprint. Through collaboration and cooperation, The Carbon Trust aims to make a meaningful contribution toward creating a more sustainable hospitality industry.