Sustainable Hospitality

Sustainability and hospitality: A journey we must all embark on

The importance of talking and acting sustainably in the hospitality industry is not just chit-chat anymore – the time to embrace sustainability practices is now! Today, travelers are actively seeking sustainable options, and companies have recognized the need and opportunity to integrate sustainability into their core operations.

There are different ways to become more sustainable as a hotel or a hostel.

Some steps are easy, fast, and straightforward, but yet impactful:

• Partner up with local suppliers for food, beverages, gifts and souvenirs
• Use LED lights and light sensors in rooms
• Install water-efficient shower heads and sinks to minimize water waste
• Opt for eco-friendly, organic, local, and vegan toiletry and personal care products
• Offer guests reusable and recyclable items such as water bottles, cutlery, cups
• Provide information about drinkable tap water in Switzerland and indicate where refillable water stations, sinks, and fountains are
• Install recycling bins and educate guests on their use
• Support local craftsmanship and artists by showcasing their work

The first step is to conduct a sustainability analysis to assess your current situation and identify areas for improvement. Evaluate operations, products, machinery, transportations, suppliers, and buildings. To help in this process, there are a few free tools and resources provided by recognised organisations that are worth checking out. Once you have gathered sufficient data and set goals, prioritise and plan your next steps, while regularly measuring progress to ensure continuous improvement.

Check out sustainability tools

Sustainable Hotel Alliance – Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative

Normative – Business Carbon Calculator

GST Council – GSTC Criteria for Hotels