Chef Dana Hauser , Fairmont Waterfront , Vancouver , tends to the property ' s rooftop garden .
Green Essentials
For forward-thinking hoteliers , sustainability upgrades are no longer ' nice to haves ' as they are becoming bottom-line drivers .
by BRENDAN MANLEY , CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Hoteliers increasingly are investing in comprehensive sustainability initiatives that benefit both the planet and bottom line , taking new strategies for water and energy usage , food and supplies sourcing , green construction and waste management all into account . Besides just being positive PR , operators find the considerable savings clearly justify the expenditure .
With many large chains and brands executing long-term sustainability strategies , there is been no shortage of progress as of late . Many hotels have completed the “ essential ” upgrades already — LED lighting , climate control sensors , kitchen steam hoods — and are moving on to more advanced projects , such as solar power , water reclamation and rapid waste composting , where the savings can be as impressive .
“ In today ’ s world , environmental issues are a clearly established focus of attention that is on everybody ’ s mind , and everyone is becoming increasingly conscious of these issues ,” says Reuben Mifsud , general manager of the Corinthia Hotel Lisbon , recently named a TripAdvisor GreenLeader Platinum Hotel . “ In the upscale hotel market , the ability to provide a high-quality service and accomplish it by utilizing the minimum resources possible is nowadays considered with increasing care and importance .”
Powering up Energy generation and use is always a prime consideration for sustainability ,
54 HOTELS October 2015 www . hotelsmag . com