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Unlock This CourseSustainable facilities management in tourism is all about running tourist sites, hotels, attractions and other facilities in ways that protect the environment, support local communities and still make good business sense. It's becoming increasingly important as more tourists want to travel in ways that don't harm the planet.
Key Definitions:
Tourism facilities like hotels, restaurants and attractions use lots of resources. They consume energy, water and materials and produce waste and pollution. Making these facilities more sustainable helps protect the places tourists love to visit. It also saves money through reduced energy and water bills.
Today's tourists, especially younger travellers, increasingly expect tourism businesses to operate sustainably. A 2022 Booking.com survey found that 71% of global travellers want to make more environmentally friendly travel choices. Sustainable facilities help meet these expectations and can be a major selling point.
Sustainable facilities management covers several key areas that tourism businesses need to address:
Using renewable energy sources like solar panels, energy-efficient lighting and appliances, smart thermostats and motion sensors to reduce energy consumption.
Low-flow taps and showers, rainwater harvesting, water recycling systems and drought-resistant landscaping to reduce water usage.
Recycling programmes, composting food waste, eliminating single-use plastics and using digital systems to reduce paper waste.
Sustainable tourism facilities often incorporate green building principles from the start or retrofit existing buildings to be more environmentally friendly:
The Scarlet is an eco-luxury hotel in Cornwall that demonstrates how sustainability and high-quality service can work together. The hotel features:
The Scarlet attracts eco-conscious tourists willing to pay premium prices for luxury accommodation with strong environmental credentials.
Different tourists have different expectations when it comes to sustainability. Facilities managers need to understand these varying needs:
These travellers specifically choose destinations and facilities based on their environmental practices. They expect comprehensive sustainability programmes, detailed information about environmental initiatives and opportunities to participate in conservation activities. They're often willing to pay more for genuinely sustainable options.
Many companies now have corporate sustainability policies that affect their travel choices. Business travellers often look for hotels with eco-certifications, digital check-in options to reduce paper use and energy-efficient meeting facilities. They appreciate sustainability that doesn't compromise convenience.
Families often appreciate sustainable practices that are educational and engaging for children, such as nature trails, wildlife conservation programmes, or recycling activities. They also value healthy, locally sourced food options and chemical-free swimming pools.
School and university groups often visit tourism facilities as part of educational programmes. They benefit from behind-the-scenes tours of sustainable operations, workshops on environmental topics and information that connects to their curriculum.
Having sustainable facilities is only effective if tourists know about them. Good communication is essential:
Center Parcs holiday villages in the UK demonstrate effective sustainable facilities management for family tourists:
Center Parcs shows how large-scale tourism facilities can operate sustainably while still providing a high-quality experience for families.
Sustainable facilities management isn't just good for the environment it makes good business sense too:
Energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures and waste reduction all lead to lower utility bills and operational costs. For example, LED lighting uses up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs.
Sustainability credentials can be a powerful marketing tool, helping to attract environmentally conscious tourists and differentiate from competitors.
As environmental regulations become stricter, facilities that are already sustainable will need fewer costly upgrades to comply with new rules.
To know if sustainable practices are working, tourism facilities need to measure their performance:
To provide excellent customer service through sustainable facilities management:
Begin with simple changes that have the biggest impact, like energy-efficient lighting, water-saving devices and waste recycling. Make sure these don't negatively affect the visitor experience.
Develop a clear plan with specific goals and timelines. Include both quick wins and longer-term projects. Review and update this plan regularly based on results and new technologies.
Train staff to understand and communicate about sustainability. Create ways for interested guests to participate in and learn about your environmental efforts.
Regularly measure your environmental performance and be willing to adapt your approach based on results. Share successes with guests and be honest about challenges.
Remember that sustainable facilities management is a journey, not a destination. The most successful tourism businesses continuously improve their environmental practices while ensuring they meet the needs of all their visitors.