Environmental Sustainability in Hospitality Facilities Management

This report provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable facilities management within the hospitality sector. It begins by introducing the concept of green hotels and their role in environmental conservation, emphasizing the importance of resource efficiency and waste reduction. The report then delves into the current environmental conditions, highlighting the impact of hotels on resource consumption and pollution, and the growing awareness of environmental issues among consumers. It explores the development of the situation, detailing the negative environmental effects of the hospitality sector, including energy demands, waste management challenges, and pollution. A literature review supports the analysis, examining the link between tourism and the environment and the significance of sustainable development. The report further discusses greening trends in hotels, such as waste management, energy efficiency, and the adoption of sustainable practices to meet customer expectations. Finally, it provides examples of eco-friendly hotels around the world, showcasing their initiatives in environmental conservation, sustainable tourism, and community support, illustrating the practical application of sustainable practices in the hospitality industry.

Running head: HOSPITALITY FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Hospitality Facilities Management
Name of Student
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Introduction:
Sustainable development is inclusive of all the areas of financial activity. It is also
applicable in the hotel and also in the tourism industry. It is popularly known that the
environment is a crucial resource for the tourism industry and the acquisition and the application
of the new technologies contribute to the environmental protection in certain sectors of the hotel
industry which is a very crucial subject in this particular area. The term “green hotel” or eco-
friendly hotel is used to mean those hotels which strive to be much more environmentally
friendly by the efficient utilization of energy, in addition to that of water and materials at the
time providing quality level of services.
Green hotels are responsible for conserving and preserving energy by saving water,
reducing the amount of energy used and also by bringing about the reduction in the solid waste.
There have been benefits namely the reduced costs and liabilities and also the high return and
low risk investments. These benefits and their identification is responsible for the green hotels
and their growth. The hotels can be consistently considered to become greener. The most costly
as well as the wasteful use of resources in hotels are usually for the consumption of non-
renewable energy sources. They cannot be wasteful and consume huge amount of resources.
Review on the condition:
Considering the dismal condition of the natural ecological balance of the environment
and the limited nature of majority of the energy sources, it is the duty of each individual to take
care of the environment. The large producers and also the consumers of the natural resources
have to take care even more. There are several environmental aspects which might have a

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significant impact on the environment. The users are responsible for the consumption of
resources which include that of the energy and water on a regular basis. There has been the
increased popularity of the concept of eco-tourism. This is because of the fact that the
harmonisation of tourism and the concept of environmental sustainability is brought about. It
can be stated that the majority of the reasons for which the hotels go green are behind the scenes.
In addition to having a lesser impact on the environment, going green also helps in saving costs
which are helpful in the hotel funds and facilities (Teng & Chang 2014).
The idea of a green hotel is responsible for starting from the very first stage of
construction. The hotel also possesses the features as well as the equipments which are
incorporated and help in the saving of energy. The processes and policies of the hotels need to be
fine tuned and the environmental factors need to be kept in mind as well. Running a hotel may be
responsible for turning the hotel into something which is environmentally friendly and there
needs to be a commitment towards the environment. The establishment of the priorities and the
action plans are also crucial. There also need to be proper education as well motivation of the
members of the staff (Kucukusta, Mak & Chan, 2013).
There has been an increasing concern for green hotels in the view of the customers due to
the fact that they experience a growing awareness of environmental damage and excessive
consumption of goods, power and energy. The world at present is being faced with several
environmental issues which include the concept of global climate change, the depletion of the
ozone layer, pollution, the high level of consumption of the resources and the increased amounts
of solid wastes. As an integral part of the tourism industry the world is responsible for exerting a
noteworthy impact on the environment and also suggest a need to address a particular problem

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and the question which the researchers are faced with is the fact that whether the hoteliers
appreciate the requirements for the environment-friendly initiatives in the organisations.
Development of the situation:
The increasing level of the demands on the supply of energy, an increased overall burden
on the management of wastes and solids in addition to the pollution of the water bodies, the air
and the soil are the major negative environmental effects in the hospitality sector of the tourism
industry. The accommodation in the hotels is one of the most substantial areas of the sectors
under hospitality. As a crucial component of the accommodation sector, the operations of the
hotels are characterised by a huge number of activities which are responsible for collectively
impacting a noteworthy impact on the resources all around the world. The hotel operations are
also responsible for the emissions of the green house gases that are released into the air
specifically CO2 and Chlorofluorocarbons. It has also been observed that the commercial
buildings and the hotels exert huge amount of negative influence on the environment.
It is also evident that the consumers need to establish a green hotel as per the view of the
customers. There is an increased awareness of the damage of the environment and the immense
consumption of the goods. The negative impact that the hotels exert on the environment there is
a greater amount of pressure which is placed on the governments and the role players in the field
of tourism for the reinforcement of eco-friendlier enterprises and the issue of green consumption
in the hotels. There also needs to be a commitment towards the implementation of the
ecologically sound practices. There also needs to be the saving of energy and reducing of solid
waste.

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Literature review:
The link between tourism and the environment is considered as one of the major reasons
which has a huge amount of significance due to the debate on the issue of sustainability. The
social and ecological impacts of the tourism industry and environmental education are
considered to be negative for the environment. There are several practices which are considered
in case of several hotels. These are responsible for making the environment survival and the
sector is capable of making it more sustainable and friendly towards the environment. The
conditions of the world and the natural resources caused the agreement regarding the topic of
sustainable development at the target of the business organisations.
It has been studied that in several parts of the world the accommodation dependent
sewage and the waste materials are directly given into the water bodies therefore causing the
creation of health hazards and an environment which is aesthetically unpleasant. Being a
component of tourism the hospitality sector is responsible for playing a significant role in the
deterioration of the environment despite the fact that the impacts have not been significant
compared to the effects, automobiles and the cruise ships.
Hotels being a primary accommodation have a huge role in the segment of hospitality as
there are significant impacts on the economical, ecological as well as a social impact on the
environment. There has been a relevant impact on the environment and therefore the issues in the
hotels needs to be managed in order reduce the negative impact on the environment (Baker,
Davis & Weaver, 2014).

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Greening trends in hotels:
Within the sector of the hotels the areas of impact include that of the pollution by means
of solid and liquid waste, consumption of high energy and the increase in the release of the
greenhouse gages which is responsible for the changes in the atmosphere. Thereafter the
practices including the recycling of waste, waste management and supply of clean air are being
considered as important issues in the hotels. There are a number of practices which are
undertaken in the hotel sector which are considered to make the sector much more sustainable
and environment friendly (Radwan, Jones & Minoli, 2012).
Research has revealed that several consumers consider themselves to be environmentally
conscious and also green consumers. Therefore these hotels have adopted the principles of
sustainable development in order to mirror the concerns of the customers who come to their
hotels and they have also made an attempt to minimize the total energy which has been
consumed at the time of the customers stay at the hotels (Wyngaard & De Lange, 2013). This has
been brought about by the introduction of principles like the re-use of linen and towels.
“Significant steps have also been taken by the hotels which have suitably conducted
environmental audits for assessing the environmental costs of the activities concerned with the
energy consumption, transport, waste generation and the local environment. The sustainability of
the environment is one of the major aspects to be considered with respect to the overall
sustainability of the environment (Noor & Kumar, 2014)”.
Examples of the eco-friendly hotels of the world:
Travellers have realised the importance of the conservation of the environment and there
have been instances where the people seek accommodation which supports environmentally

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friendly as well as sustainable tourism. The hotels around the world have given importance to
this culture and there have been the development of the award-winning environmental, economic
and social cultural programs which are beneficial to both the hoteliers as well as the guests.
There also has been an increased interest in the conservation of the environment and
understanding regarding the impact of tourism on a specific destination. The hoteliers have
assisted the tourists in experiencing and appreciating the natural spaces as well as the cultures at
the time of conserving and minimizing the effects on the environment.
Illustration 1: The HI Hotel, France
“The Hi Hotel in France is basically a boutique hotel which offers a private beach as well
as rooftop pool, the Hi Hotel Eco Spa and the Beach has received the Green Globe certification

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for its utilization of recycled paper, organic paint, eco-friendly products of cleaning and also
organic food. The hotel is located in Nice, France and it is unique”. The uniqueness of the hotel
is its departure from the conventional luxury, focus on the contemporary living as well as
bringing about change in the ordinary spatial structures.
Illustration 2: “Hix Island House, Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico”
“The tropical Caribbean Oasis, the Hix Island house located in the place of Puerto Rico,
is responsible for offering an elegant, rustic island escape. With a relevant focus o the particular
nature the Hix Island house runs on the batteries which are charged by solar power. The hotel
also recycles rainwater was designed for catching the cooling winds and returns grey water to the
environment.

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The hotel is designed in such a way that the harmony with the countryside and upholds
the concept that “less is more”. The hotel has been built to withstand the natural elements, the
hotel is also earthquake, hurricane and fire proof”.
Illustration 3: “Garonga Safari Camp, Phalaborwa, Africa”
“Garonga Safari Camp, Phalaborwa, Africa is an exclusive 12 bed camp in South Africa
and the resort helps and supports the local community by means of economic empowerment. The
locals are offered opportunities for employment with a suitable potential for the development of
a person’s career. The food and goods are sourced locally at the places where it is possible. The
guests are also invited in order to offset their specific carbon footprints by means of helping the
planning and the growth of the Spesbok trees in the Eastern Cape”.

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The safari is run in partnership with the Steenberg Hotel in Cape Town. The camp has
been designed in such a way that it blends effortlessly with the earthy surroundings. The guests
are provided ways in which they can enjoy a grand experience with extraordinary views.
“Illustration 4: Lefay Resort and Spa, in the heart of Riviera dei Limoni”
“In the absolute heart of the Riviera dei Limoni, the different structures of the Five-Star
resort have been integrated into the hill slopes” for the reduction of energy and dispersion of
heat. The hotel is important in the sense that it focuses on the overall health and wellness a theme
which is seen to be constant throughout the food, outlay as well as the overall peace of the hotel.
“The interior design makes utilization of the local materials at the time of designing the hotel”
and it has been fashioned with respect to the surroundings and the adjoining landscape and
environment. In this connection it can be said that the rainwater has been collected and it is very

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clear that the “hotel has a sustainable and suitable approach” to the concept of “waste
management”.
Illustration 5: Thai Beach Lodge, Port Douglas Australia
“This resort is immensely beautiful and it has been awarded with one of the highest eco-
tourism accreditations. It is also Eco-certified, advanced tourism. The resort is located on a
private headland which is situated between the Cairns and Port Douglas. The resort is also
actively involved in assisting the environmental and rehabilitation procedures. The resort is
situated on 145 acres of property and the resort invite elders of the Kuku Talanji community in
order to take guests through a journey of their culture form the healing of plants for the foraging
for the bush food”.

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Illustration 6: Park Hyatt, Maldives
“The Park Hyatt in Maldives is responsible for the integration and of the environment as
well as modern design in order to provide the guests with the best of luxury and experience.
Several parts of the hotel are built over the water in the Indian Ocean in order to minimize the
interference with the natural environment. The hotel has also received the silver EarthCheck
certificate and is the sole resort in the Maldives to be awarded by the EarthCheck for both the
design as well as construction”.