As consumers are becoming more environmentally conscientious, hotels around the world are following suit. A study recently released by the Cornell University School of Hotel Management found that guests were more likely to opt into to a hotel’s sustainability practices, such as reusing towels, when the hotel offered charitable or financial incentives. Correspondingly, guests who took part in these programs usually reported they were more satisfied with their experience at the hotel. A 2013 study from TripAdvisor showed that almost 80 percent of travelers believe that green practices are important when choosing a place to stay.
Hotels are implementing green programs from the kitchen to the bathrooms. For example, some are adopting farm-to-table menus in their restaurants and recycling water for landscaping. Others are offering charging stations for electric vehicles and using energy-efficient light bulbs. Guests are not forced to participate in green programs, but many do so to receive enticing incentives, such as loyalty points, which hotels give to guests who reuse their towels or refuse housekeeping services.
Hotels are implementing green programs from the kitchen to the bathrooms. For example, some are adopting farm-to-table menus in their restaurants and recycling water for landscaping. Others are offering charging stations for electric vehicles and using energy-efficient light bulbs. Guests are not forced to participate in green programs, but many do so to receive enticing incentives, such as loyalty points, which hotels give to guests who reuse their towels or refuse housekeeping services.