06 June 2022

Updated: September 2023

The Importance of Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry

Sedgebrook Hall and The Venues Collection are proud to announce our commitment to sustainability in the hospitality industry. We recognise the critical importance of sustainability in addressing issues like increased pollution, over-consumption, and natural habitat loss that are often associated with tourism. Sustainability not only addresses these concerns but also drives businesses to make cost-effective and energy-efficient operational changes. 

By implementing sustainable practices in the hospitality industry, we aim to provide our customers with an eco-conscious choice. There has been an upturn in trends showing that guests are likely to spend more money on their accommodation if it means protecting the environment and following sustainable practices.

Why is Sustainability Important in the Hospitality Industry

1. Improves Customer Experience
2. Reduces Waste
3. Reduce Carbon Footprint
4. Energy Consumption
5. Stronger Brand Image
6. Cost Effective

Sustainability in the hospitality industry holds significant importance, driven by a strong consumer trend towards eco-friendly choices. A 2021 study found that 81% of travellers surveyed said they plan to choose a sustainable accommodation option in the coming year. This indicates a growing demand for environmentally responsible practices. 

Embracing sustainability not only benefits the environment but also helps hotels and restaurants attract more guests. It can lead to cost savings and enhance a venue’s reputation, making it a crucial factor for long-term success in an industry increasingly focused on eco-consciousness.

1. Improves Customer Experience

Improving environmental sustainability in the hospitality industry allows customers to feel as if they are making a positive contribution to the environment whilst encouraging them to return and embrace the environmentally friendly environment.

Guests have become more aware of the impact that the hospitality industry has on the environment, which is why it is so important for hospitality businesses to operate sustainably to improve the guest experience. 

Having businesses invest in technology that reduces and recycles materials is a sustainable operational method and is a popular attribute to consumers. This could often include solar panels, LED light bulbs, smart wifi power trips and many more. 

2. Reduces Waste 

Reducing the amount of waste a hotel or restaurant creates can prevent the pollution caused by reducing the need to harvest raw materials, and reducing energy and greenhouse gas emissions. The hospitality sector can effectively manage waste through strategies like sourcing local produce, optimising food usage, and implementing robust recycling programs. 

Waste reduction stands as a widely embraced and straightforward sustainable practice in the hospitality industry, aligning with eco-conscious principles and responsible resource management.

3. Reduce Carbon Footprint 

By implementing eco-friendly practices such as energy-efficient lighting, water conservation, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing, hotels and restaurants significantly minimise their carbon emissions. 

These efforts reduce energy consumption, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to the overall goal of combatting climate change, making sustainability a vital component in lessening the industry’s carbon footprint.

4. Energy Consumption

Restaurants and hotels use the most amount of energy and water compared to any other business due to their use of technology. The constant use of lighting, air conditioning and kitchen appliances all have an impact on improving customer experience whilst drastically affecting sustainability in the hospitality industry.

Reducing the amount of energy your hospitality venue uses not only benefits the environment but also can reduce the daily room rate and energy costs, which encourages guests to book at a cost-effective price. 

5. Stronger Brand Image

Improving sustainability in the hospitality industry is crucial as it increases the brand’s image in the eyes of your visitors. People are naturally drawn towards an organisation if it has a good contribution to the environment.

Venues within the hotel industry are soon realising the importance of adopting green practices within the way they operate as it benefits their brand image leading to long-term profits for the business.

6. Cost Effective

Organisations within the hospitality industry operate with certain sustainable business strategies in place that allow them to reduce their running costs and allows them to make money. Sustainable strategies such as recycling and reusing waste are put in place to improve the businesses’ environmental performance and to reduce regular outgoings. 

Having an organisation reduce the amount of unnecessary waste and reuse materials helps to reduce expenses and energy prices leading to an increase in profits. 

How to Improve Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry 

To improve sustainability in the hospitality industry, businesses can reduce their environmental impact by conserving resources. This involves adopting sustainable initiatives like sourcing local and seasonal products, minimising disposables, managing food waste effectively, and using energy-efficient systems. These actions not only improve the bottom line but also cater to eco-conscious guest preferences, contributing to a more sustainable future.

1. Utilise Rainwater
2. Use Local and Seasonal Produce
3. Avoid Disposable Products
4. Don’t Throw Leftovers Away
5. Change Key Cards
6. Go Paper-Free
7. Prefer Natural, Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

Conclusion

There are many economic and ecological benefits to an organisation within the hospitality industry adopting sustainable practices, the most important being that the business will make a good contribution to the environment and it will also encourage guests to visit the business leading to long-term growth and success. 

Our Sustainable Venue in Northampton

Sedgebrook Hall is part of The Venues Collection, which are working hard to create sustainable spaces for meetings, events and leisure. That’s why the Future First Charter was created to ensure all of our venues are working towards reducing our impact on the planet. 

The Future First Charter includes ‘Menus for Change’ which focuses on using fresh and seasonal products for food through the venue, whether you’re joining us for a meeting, event or in our restaurant. We are also working on increasing more foods being ethically sourced, working towards zero waste and have created plant-forward menus to reduce our kitchen’s environmental impact.

We understand how vital sustainability is for the hospitality industry and how by making changes in our venues we can have an impact on our corner of the world. Our corporate events will follow the ‘Meetings for Change’ initiative which includes reducing food waste – you’ll find our water is flavoured with fruit peelings from our kitchen, we’re reducing plastic use by replacing pens with pencils, and we’ll also be placing stationary on a table within your hotel room rather than handing out a note pad to each delegate to reduce waste. 

Our sustainable commitments benefit everyone around us, from creating a wonderful place for our employees to work in, to creating a flexible and sustainable environment to welcome our guests into. All of our actions and activities are considered making sure to adopt a sustainable approach to supporting the wellbeing and future of the planet.

Find out more about our sustainable commitments at Sedgebrook Hall and The Venues Collection.

If you would like to take a step towards a sustainable corporate event or would like to find out more on how our venue follows sustainable practices, then please get in touch.