MN7234ES - People and organisations: principles and practices in global contexts
Green
Hotels – the Future Crowning Glory of Hospitality?
Green
hotels can include a variety of establishments, including resorts, chain
hotels, motels, homestays, and motels, as well as other lodging establishments.
A property committed to reducing its environmental impact on travel and tourism
can be labeled a green hotel.
To
understand how the concept of Green Hotels has expanded around the world, I
have listed a few examples, from midscale rustic retreats to small family-owned
hotels, budget-friendly farm-stays, as well as niche high-end places of stay:
- Three Camel Lodge – Mongolia
This lodge is in a very remote area, and the property has
been designed to create a self-sustaining waste management system. Although the
Three Camel Lodge is luxurious and intended for high-end tourists, its
philosophy is based on sustainability. The property practices
"environmental stewardship, natural and cultural preservation, and
community empowerment." TheThreeCamelLodge (2023) They are "guided by
the United Nations Development Programme's 17 Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), and each guest stays directly supports efforts to conserve" their
"natural resources, protect" their "cultural traditions and
improve the quality of life for Gobi residents." (NormadicExpeditions,
2022)
 |
| The Three Camel Lodge, Mongolia (Source: TheThreeCamelLodge, 2023) |
2. The Das Rübezahl Hotel, Bavaria, Germany
Built by the Thurm family in 1959, the Das Rübezahl Hotel
in Bavaria, Germany, is a cozy romantic retreat committed to sustainable stays.
Much of the hotel is built with "native natural and mature wood"
(GreenPearls, 2024), and the hotel nurtures "six bee colonies with around
300,000 bees looking after the natural compensation site containing rare wild
herbs, orchids, and other protected plants with views of Neuschwanstein
Castle." (GreenPearls2024) Another novel concept I liked about this hotel
is using directly filtered Schwangauer mountain spring water for their
restaurants underneath the Schwangau Mountains. For the employees, the Thurm
family has a "handshake mentality" with "regular and year-round
employment, in a 4-to 5-day week, family flexibility, training, bonus" and
"staff members are provided with free bicycles upon request to ensure that
their commute to work is climate neutral." (GreenPearls, 2024)
 |
| Hotel Rübezahl (Source: Hotel Rübezahl, 2024) |
- The AMBA Estate, Ella, Sri Lanka
With a hundred and thirty acres of towering mountains, waterfalls, caves, and forests, AMBA Estate is in the Uva highlands and just a short drive from Ella. This farm-stay B&B has hired many locals from Ambadandegama and created many economic opportunities for over a hundred local families. Deforestation is a significant issue in Sri Lanka, as is poor land management and overuse of pesticides and agrochemicals in food production. "Amba is therefore designed to minimize" their "' impact on the environment while restoring natural habitats and eco-systems." (AMBA Estate, 2020)
 |
| AMBA Estate (Source:ReddotTours, 2024) |
- Hotel Marcel, Connecticut, USA
As "part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, the
Hotel Marcel is a zero-emission hotel encompassing 165 rooms, a 9000 plus
square foot conference center, and a full-service restaurant. It has earned
both Passive House and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
Platinum certifications." (CCNTravel, 2024). Hotel Marcel is on the path
to being the USA's "first Net Zero hotel by the end of 2025."
(HotelMarcel, 2024) Unlike other hotels, "instead of fossil fuels, the building
runs on 100% renewable energy for lighting, heating, air conditioning, and hot
water, harnessing energy with over a thousand solar panels on its rooftop and
parking canopies." (CNNTravel,2024)
 |
| Hotel Marcel (Source: HotelMarcel, 2024) |
- The Brando Resort, Tetiaroa,
French Polynesia
The Brando Resort (Marlon Brando's private island) is
famous for combining luxury and environmental sustainability. Known as one of
the prominent eco-friendly resorts in the world and is "100% energy
independent and supports several research and conservation initiatives."
(Tahiti.com, 2024) Even President Barack Obama had stayed at the Brando for
three months and has a three-bedroom villa named after him called the
"Obamaville." Brando also has a LEED Platinum certification and a
negative carbon footprint. The resort is, in fact, ahead of its time because it
has its environmental research center and uses SWAC (Sea Water
Air-Conditioning), where a novel concept of "' freezing deep-sea water is
drawn up and circulated through the buildings to keep them cool, reducing
energy consumption by 90 percent." (MrandMrsSmith, 2024) "Rainwater
feeds the resort's pool and laundry, bathrooms use desalinated sea water, and a
wastewater recycling system irrigates the kitchen gardens."
(MrandMrsSmith, 2024)
 |
| The Brando (Source: TheBrando, 2024) |
Conclusion
Through
this research, we can see that "going green" is not just a trend.
Travelers today are not just looking for a place to go on holiday, but they are
searching for sustainable experiential travel that supports environmental
values. Therefore, we see a massive shift in the lodging and travel industry
where properties respond with unique innovations, green human resource policies
of employee wellbeing, training, reskilling, and improvements. Whether it is a
small initiative of installing solar panels to rainwater harvesting or having
zero-waste policies, recycling, and farm-to-table dining, the world's
hospitality industry is shifting its focus toward new sustainable 'green'
ideologies and implementations. "Booking.com lists that 75% of travelers
would book a hotel certified as green compared to other properties. Also, 43%
of travelers are willing to pay more if it is a green hotel," as stated by
the World Economic Forum (2024). Therefore, with increased awareness, people
are becoming more mindful and responsible about the best travel practices and
sustainability in the leisure sector.
References
BeyondGreen (2024) Intentionally gracious & sustainable ecotourism - about: Beyond green, TRANSFORMING TRAVEL Intentionally Gracious. Available at: https://staybeyondgreen.com/about (Accessed: 28 March 2024).
Cullen, S. (2023) The world’s most sustainable hotels, The Hotel Journal. Available at: https://thehoteljournal.com/worlds-most-sustainable-hotels/ (Accessed: 30 March 2024).
Ecobnb (2023) Green hospitality: Sustainable practices for hotels, Ecobnb. Available at: https://ecobnb.com/blog/2023/05/green-hospitality-sustainable-practices-hotels-resorts/ (Accessed: 28 March 2024).
GreenPearls (2024) Book the sustainable hotel rübezahl in the German allgäu, Green Pearls - the future of traveling. Available at: https://www.greenpearls.com/hotels/hotel-ruebezahl/ (Accessed: 01 April 2024).
Hilton Honors (2023) HOSPITALITY FOR THE PLANET, Hotel Marcel. Available at: https://www.hotelmarcel.com/new-haven-hotels/sustainability (Accessed: 01 April 2024).
NormadicExpeditions (2021) Wild Journeys, Responsible Travel: An Earth Day Message, Nomadic Expeditions. Available at: https://www.nomadicexpeditions.com/wild-journeys-responsible-travel-an-earth-day-message/ (Accessed: 21 March 2024).
Stephens, R. (2023) How a neglected building was transformed into America’s greenest hotel, CNN. Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/hotel-marcel-new-haven-connecticut/index.html (Accessed: 01 April 2024).
The Telegraph (2019) Amba estate Sri Lanka, The Telegraph. Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/sri-lanka/hotels/amba-estate-sri-lanka-hotel/ (Accessed: 01 April 2024).
TheThreeCamelLodge (2023) The three Camel Lodge, THREE CAMEL LODGE. Available at: https://www.threecamellodge.com/ (Accessed: 29 April 2024).
Thurm family (2023) Romantic Hideaway & Boutique Hotel near Füssen, Hotel Das Rübezahl, Romantic Hideaway & Boutique Hotel near Füssen - Hotel Das Rübezahl. Available at: https://www.hotelruebezahl.de/en/ (Accessed: 28 March 2024).
WilliamsKent Ltd (2024) What is green HR?, What is Green HR. Available at: https://www.williams-kent.com/insights/what-is-green-hr-/ (Accessed: 04 April 2024).
World Economic Forum & EcoWatch (2023) Survey of travellers finds 76% want more sustainable options, World Economic Forum. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/04/survey-of-travelers-finds-76-want-more-sustainable-options/ (Accessed: 01 April 2024).
Your comprehensive overview of green initiatives in the hospitality industry is truly inspiring. It’s encouraging to see such a diverse range of examples leading the way in sustainability. Great job highlighting the importance of eco-conscious practices!
ReplyDeleteLove how you have discussed very diverse examples including luxury hotels and rustic stays. It shows how green practices can be implemented across different budgets and locations.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dishani as always for your time and comment :) I wish I could elaborate more with many examples, but I think these examples are suffice to give a gist of the 'green' lodging industry and how many hotels are reaping the benefits of being ''green''.
DeleteThe blog illustrates the lodging industry's shift towards sustainability, highlighting diverse global examples of green initiatives, from renewable energy to waste management. This trend not only meets eco-conscious traveler expectations but also aligns with environmental sustainability goals, marking a significant development in travel and hospitality.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Sonali. The blog merely attempts to capture some snippets of the topic to shed some awareness into GHRM in hospitality and possibly even in other industries.
DeleteHey Ms. Anjika, Once again, your article is really informative. As a hotelier, you have done extensive research and chosen an excellent example to support your argument.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your reply, Dilshad. Appreciate your positive comment.
DeleteHey Ms. Anjika, Once again, your article is really informative. As a hotelier, you have done extensive research and chosen an excellent example to support your argument.
ReplyDeleteVery informative article, But Anji I would like to know how can we shift the mindset of the employee's towards the green lodging concept?
ReplyDeleteIt is by educating the employee to have an awareness in green principles is a way we can shift the mindset of the employee towards the green lodging concept, Chamara. As the saying goes "a man without education is like a building without a foundation," the world is in dire straits today with negative impacts through global warming because society has been slow to educate themselves on how to sustain the world we live in.
DeleteMany countries and hotels are joining hands now with the UN to foster sustainable and environmental goals. And why wouldn't employees want to gear towards the green lodging concept when its practices are ethical, sustainable with reduced costs for the establishment and lesser liabilities, high return, increased profits and positive cash flows?
A wonderfully presented piece of research work, Anjalika. I like the way you have taken the sustainable hotels and resorts as great example for promoting the green concept. People are increasingly being aware about these environmentally friendly practices and are becoming more mindful about this each day. They have become more responsible about the best travel practices and being sustainable. Nice insightful work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Judith. I personally like working for hotels that places importance on "going green" because I believe in the benefits of being sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible will benefit in the long run.
DeleteFantastic article on Green Hotels amazing ways of changing the hospitality industry. The examples that you have provided clearly shows a range of green initiatives, from solar panels to local hiring.
ReplyDeleteWhile ensuring the accessibility of Green Hotels. According to the examples provided like the Brando Resort, exemplify luxury sustainability, are there any methods make eco friendly stays more affordable for budget-conscious travelers?
Thank you for your comment, Nufail. Love your interest and the question. Sustainable green methods need not be exemplified in luxury itself, Nufail. In fact, I was watching a documentary on Youtube just the other day on how a small scale Bed & Breakfast in Germany takes a fantastic initiative to go green economically - you can view more on this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQfKDaNonf8&t=174s
DeleteHi Anjalika. You have very simply explained about GHRM for our clear understanding. Thank you educating us on a new concept of HRM.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Shedric. I do believe I'm educating myself too with all this research :D
DeleteHi Anji! Das Rübezahl Hotel in Bavaria, Germany, built in 1959 by the Thurm family, is a sustainable romantic retreat. It uses native natural wood, nurtures six bee colonies, and uses filtered Schwangauer mountain spring water for its restaurants. The Thurm family offers regular, year-round employment, family flexibility, training, and free bicycles for employees. I love this info
ReplyDeleteHi Amesha, the Das Rübezahl hotel is a lovely place in Germany to visit, and they have been working hard to promote sustainability for a long time. :)
DeleteYour article on green hotels is fantastic. It's great to see how hotels around the world are embracing sustainability in diverse ways, from remote lodges to luxury resorts.
ReplyDeleteYour article on green hotels is fantastic. It's great to see how hotels around the world are embracing sustainability in diverse ways, from remote lodges to luxury resorts.
ReplyDeleteYour article on green hotels is fantastic. It's great to see how hotels around the world are embracing sustainability in diverse ways, from remote lodges to luxury resorts.
ReplyDeleteYour article on green hotels is fantastic. It's great to see how hotels around the world are embracing sustainability in diverse ways, from remote lodges to luxury resorts.
ReplyDeleteYour article on green hotels is fantastic. It's great to see how hotels around the world are embracing sustainability in diverse ways, from remote lodges to luxury resorts.
ReplyDeleteTrue Minoshi. It's fascinating to see the work of different establishment. Until I did my research, I never realized how hard everyone around the world was trying to go green - especially in the hospitality industry.
DeleteThe examples highlighted here illustrate a range of approaches to green hospitality worldwide, spanning from secluded luxury lodges to urban zero-emission hotels. These endeavors not only prioritize sustainability but also foster local economies and communities. The industry's pivot towards sustainability mirrors shifting consumer values and the escalating significance of environmental responsibility. As travelers increasingly prioritize green practices, hotels embracing sustainability are poised for long-term viability and success.
ReplyDeleteWell summarized, Ruwan. Thanks for your comment
DeleteThis blog post about the lodging industry embracing green practices is inspiring. It's great to see examples and evidence of hotels going green, showcasing their commitment to sustainability. I would love to learn more about the specific initiatives these hotels are implementing and the impact they're having on both the environment and their business.
ReplyDeleteHotels around the world are taking innovative steps to promote sustainability through green hospitality initiatives. Great examples of green hospitality initiatives really showcase the innovative ways hotels are embracing sustainability while supporting local communities and cultures. . These efforts are not just about being eco-friendly but also about providing guests with meaningful and responsible travel experiences
ReplyDeleteGreat insights on the subject !!
Definitely Dinesh, "Many hotels are adopting energy-efficient practices such as installing LED lighting and implementing smart heating and cooling systems to reduce energy consumption." (UNWTO, 2019) & now more than ever before, ""Hotels prioritize water conservation through measures like low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling systems." (ITP, 2020)
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