My thoughts about a “green” hotel

I did have a discussion with a hotel owner who claims
that his hotel is a ‘green’ (environmental friendly) hotel and he wants some
advice on how to advertise this with the media and tour operators.

I need to mention that I am a true fan of any hotel owner
who is focusing on sustainable tourism and environmental friendly concepts.

When asking him on what exactly he implemented to justify
his claim that his resort is truly a ‘green’ hotel, the following was the
answer:

·        
We separate wet and dry garbage

·        
We separate plastic and paper and sell the items

·        
We separate all glassware items

Surprisingly, the above was enough for this hotel owner
to claim that his resort is environmental friendly.  I said to myself that maybe he could start
with a proper waste-water system which he did not have!

It is a fact that most hotel owners and managers do very
little or nothing at all to care for our fragile environment!  Some managers and owners claim that they do already
their best and some of them actively advertise their hotels or resorts as a
environmentally friendly business. The Media is even writing about those hotels
positively when receiving any press release without any check on the facts.

My strong view is most hotels and resorts who claim to be
‘green’ are not environmental friendly at all!

Some, but very few, hotels do a good job in being
considerate towards our fragile environment.  Those hotels work hard with solid hotel
policies and procedures.

I strongly believe that owners and hotel developers must
design and build their business with the objective to AVOID waste wherever
possible once the place is operational.  I
always wonder why so few people here in Thailand consider solar and wind energy.
 Whenever our company mentioned these
sources of energy, the first reaction is that owners worry about the high
investment cost and some possible issue with the design of the resort.  Until recently, nobody, I repeat, nobody I ever
talked with about this subject did actually run any figures, calculated the return
on such an investment or did show any genuine concern about the environment.

It is a true challenge to advice people to implement
environmental friendly systems and products; especially right now when the
economy is not quite supportive.   

Some of the advice I gave to this particular hotel owner:

·        
Separate all garbage for example paper, plastic,
glass, iron, tin’s, used oil from deep-fryers etc. and sell those mentioned
items

·        
Separate all empty batteries from garbage and
dispose through proper channels.

·        
Sell pig-food to farmers

·        
Use some wet garbage to make compost and have
your own garden for fresh herbs and others.

·        
Use biological safe chemicals at ALL areas of
the business.

·        
Use hybrid cars as hotel vehicles.

·        
Inform your supplier that you prefer not to
receive anything in plastic bags.

·        
Consider solar energy.

·        
Consider wind energy.

·        
Create “safe our environment” committee at the
hotel and have the general manager to be responsible for it.  Moreover, solid SOP’s to be produced and implemented.
This committee should have 2 main focuses as follows: How to AVOID
waste and secondly on how to DISPOSE waste properly!

·        
Have an ‘in-house” green related campaign and
have the “best idea’ awarded for all employees’ contributions – AND IMPLEMENT
the best ideas!!

·        
Use only environmental safe pesticide.

·        
Ensure you have a proper waste-water system and
ensure it is in top-condition at all times.  Use the recycled water in your garden!

·        
Consider hotel furniture with wood from ‘farmed’
trees only.

·        
Consider to use local (domestic) products as
much as possible (from furniture to food…)

·        
Insulate walls, roofs and ceilings better to
safe a fortune on electric bills when using your air-conditioners.

·        
Use recycled paper at all areas of the hotel and
work towards a paper-less office environment.

·        
Last, but not least (there is much-much more
what can and should be done….) Take leadership and educate at all
times everyone inside and around your hotel.  Educate even kids in the local school,
villagers and local authorities! – You will be rewarded!

Another interesting thing I want to mention is, that here
in Thailand we already have some kind of recycling system where poor people
collect trash, separate items and sell all to make a living! If owners or managers
are not willing to have extra work to safe our planet, maybe you build an area
where you keep all trash etc and give those people access to it. – Just a
thought!

It is proven that guests are willing to pay a little more
if they are convinced that the hotel or resort they are staying is TRUELY environmental
friendly! You may also save good money on PR and Advertising as the media will
write about your business more often and in great detailed!

Klaus R. Rauter

Managing Director

Mai-BS (Thailand)

Thailand Hotel Consultant

http://mai-bs.com