Back of HouseBest Practice: Getting The Word Out On Green Efforts

Best Practice: Getting The Word Out On Green Efforts

For hotels looking to take sustainability to the next level, they can’t get there without contributions from both associates and guests alike. For that reason, hotel executives continue to emphasize the importance of properties communicating and detailing their efforts both internally and externally. 

Mike Shutts, VP, engineering, security and sustainability, CoralTree Hospitality, reinforced the point.

“Everything comes full circle, and it really begins with education. First, we have to make sure that the employees are educated so that when the guests ask them what we do, they have accurate information. We also have a checklist that we use in terms of making sure that education and accountability happens,” he said.  

According to Trina White, general manager, Parkside Hotel & Spa, “We have a few different ways” of communicating the hotel’s sustainable efforts with guests, in particular.  As an example, “before they ever arrive” guests have the opportunity to book what’s called the Advance Purchase Go Green rate, which offers $30 off best available rates when making reservation at least seven days in advance and opting out of housekeeping. 

White further added the hotel utilizes things like tent cards, saying they “help us get to zero waste” near its compost receptacles, along with other messaging and lists located within the cupboards. She noted this approach to messaging has been quite effective for the property. 

“They’re very small and subtle [messages], not invasive or in their face, just providing guidance. We’ve received a lot of comment cards that guests respond to saying that they really appreciated that,” she noted.

Meanwhile, executives emphasized that sustainability efforts are equally important to associates as the next generation continues to prioritize such initiatives. 

“With the new team members that we’re onboarding, we’re definitely seeing a shift in what the younger generation is looking for out of a company. We have no hiring issues, and part of it is our ethos in that sense,” said White. 

Joe Bojanowski, president, PM Hotel Group, reinforced the value of green efforts to the next generation. “It allowed us to attract and retain some great young talent,” he said.  

Bojanowski further added the company offers a handful of ways for employees to get involved in sustainability efforts with activities like tree plantings. 

“There’s nothing wrong with being a for-profit company, but they want to work for a company that has some kind of purpose and where they like the direction,” he noted. 

RELATED ARTICLES

Accor Drives Growth and Performance in New Signings for 2025

PARIS, France—Accor shared an overview of its 2024 development activity and growth prospects for 2025. In 2024, Accor expanded its portfolio with the opening...

Hotel Seville Nomad Transitions to Hyatt’s Unbound Collection

CHICAGO, Illinois—Allen Gross, chairman of GFI Hospitality, announc­­­ed the transition of the former James NoMad Hotel to Hotel Seville NoMad, joining the Unbound Collection...

My Place Hotel-Savannah Airport/Pooler Opens

ABERDEEN, South Dakota—My Place Hotels of America has announced the opening of My Place Hotel-Savannah Airport/Pooler, Georgia, in Pooler, Georgia. The hotel is owned...

Hunter Hotel Advisors Brokers Sale of Hilton Garden Inn Louisville East

ATLANTA, Georgia—Hunter Hotel Advisors announced the sale of the Hilton Garden Inn Louisville East. HBS Investment Group purchased the property from an institutional seller...

Capitalizing on Extended-Stay Demand With the Right Brand Partner

Vinny Patel, CEO of real estate investment, development and management firm VMV Capital, has found success in the Southeastern U.S. hotel market by specializing...

AHLA: Technology Can Assist With Attracting and Retaining Hotel Workforce

WASHINGTON—As hotels continue to climb towards pre-pandemic staffing levels, they are also leveraging new tools and technologies to grow and retain their workforces and...