Hotel Technology to Attract the Sustainable Minded Traveler
Toady’s travelers are conscientious about protecting the environment, according to a recent study conducted by Expedia Group, travelers are looking for more sustainable options. The study surveyed 11,000 consumers from 11 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico and India regarding their attitudes towards sustainability in travel. The study found that 51% of travelers were willing to spend more on eco-friendly accommodations, 40% sought out accommodations that lessened its environmental impact and 34% used providers who declared a commitment to sustainable practices. In the competitive world of Hospitality, hotels can leverage technology to not only reduce their carbon footprint, but to save on costs and better attract sustainable minded travelers.
Hotels are Developing More Sustainable Policies
Recently, the Hospitality Industry has begun establishing policies as a means of reducing their environmental impact by decreasing waste, water usage and by conserving energy. Many hotels have created waste reduction programs to reduce the use of disposable items. Hotels are also using technology to reduce paper and plastic waste by automating the check-in and check-out process and by offering digital menus. Room sensors are also being used by hotels to conserve energy by regulating the lighting and room temperature based on whether guest rooms are occupied or unoccupied during hotel stays. And many in the Industry have begun utilizing technology in the reduction of food waste.
Hotels Should Invest in Smart TVs
Smart TVs are an investment that can be beneficial to both hotels and travelers, as travelers are leaning towards more sustainable options during their hotel stays. Smart TV technology allows hotels to increase their guest satisfaction, while reducing their carbon footprint and energy consumption. Hotels should replace older TVs with set-top boxes as they consume significantly more energy than smart TVs. In addition to attracting sustainable minded travelers by reducing energy consumption, hotels can also provide guests with the convenience of a digital guest room experience. Smart TVs enable guests the convenience of accessing in-room dining, restaurant menus and spa services directly from the hotel TV. Guests can also operate smart TVs with their mobile devices and can access their hotel bills and check-out without having to visit the front desk.
Hotel Management Software
Implementing modern technology can help hotels to benefit the environment, while reducing costs. A property manage system (PMS) is essential in helping hotels to organize and keep track of their daily operations, but a PMS also allows hotels to reduce paper waste by automating tasks normally done manually. PMS technology allows guests to book online, removing the need for hotel staff to manually check guests in and out of the hotel. This greatly reduces paper waste as staff are no longer required to maintain files with guest information, a PMS retains a digital record, bills guests, and sends out invoices. Eliminating the need for paper and allowing front desk staff to focus on other important duties.
Hotel Technology to Reduce Food and Energy Consumption
Technology to Reduce Food Waste
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the global volume of food wastage is estimated at 1.6 billion tons. 28% of the world’s agricultural area is used annually to produce food that is lost or wasted and the direct economic consequences of food wastage (excluding fish and seafood) amount to $750 billion annually. To reduce emissions, food waste needs to be prevented from generating and hotels are one of the biggest offenders, but hotels can invest in technology to reduce waste and save on costs. Hotels can invest in technology that tracks food production and inventory, allowing them to more accurately predict how much food to prepare, reducing the amount of food that goes unused.
In addition to using a software to reduce food waste, hotels can also donate unused foods. Radisson Hotel Group partnered with Too Good To Go in an effort to reduce food waste. The partnership allows Radisson Hotel Group to sell ready to go meals on the Too Good To Go app. The Too Good To Go app allows businesses to redistribute surplus foods at the end of the day or at the end of each shift in order to prevent food from being discarded. The Too Good To Go solution connects businesses with customers who want to buy food at a set and reduced price. Businesses like hotels can help to reduce food, energy and water wastage, as well as CO² footprint of food that would otherwise go to waste. By reducing food and other wastes, hotels can reduce costs and reduce the negative environmental impact, while attracting sustainable minded travelers.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats allow hotels to apply more sustainable practices by conserving energy while revolutionizing the guest experience. Smart thermostats allow guests to control the thermostats in their guest rooms and set the temperature based on their comfort level. Guests can also control thermostats remotely, allowing it to be used only when needed. Smart thermostats can also be controlled by the hotel remotely, to turn on in anticipation of guests arriving and save on energy costs when rooms are unoccupied.
Vendor Spotlight: Enseo’s Fido Room Control
HVAC and TV use represent 80% of the guest room energy use, Enseo’s Fido Room Control can reduce energy use by up to 15% and can offer hotels significant savings throughout the year. Technology service provider Enseo’s Fido IoT Room Control allows guests to take their in-room experience to the next level, while allowing hotels to better conserve energy. Fido allows guests to have full control of the room temperature, lighting and even control of the curtains. The solution allows hotels to better manage energy use when guest rooms are unoccupied by automating room temperature when guests check in and out and offers unique features such as control of lighting fixtures with the TV remote. The Fido solution is designed to manage thermostats, door locks, lighting, water sensors, motorized shades and contact motion sensors.