Worldhotels launches sustainability initiative

New Worldhotels Sustainability Programme aimed at assisting affiliate hotels to increase efficiency through sustainability.

The initiative sees the publication of a group-wide Sustainability Policy, as well as the introduction of resources and tools to assist hotels in their individual efforts towards sustainability.

In November 2011 Worldhotels undertook an extensive survey of its affiliate properties, which now number nearly 500 across the globe, on their current engagement in sustainability initiatives. All regarded Corporate Social Responsibility as important, while 85 per cent reported that their corporate clients now demanded disclosure of CSR policy and activity.

Based on the survey findings and recommendations by UK-based The Carbon Consultancy, Worldhotels’ Sustainability Programme identifies five core areas of opportunity for its hotels:

• Energy: reducing energy usage and associated carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Water: reducing water consumption through water saving programmes and technology.
• Waste: reducing waste by more efficient purchasing and usage of food and other materials, as well as recycling, re-use and food donation.
• Carbon: Worldhotels encourages its hotels to focus on emissions reduction rather than offsetting emissions.
• Measurement Support: Worldhotels supplies properties with online tools and guidance to effectively measure and manage the use of resources.

"Corporate responsibility and sustainability are clearly of growing importance to hotel guests, so for that reason alone our affiliate hotels recognise the importance of engaging in sustainable practices," said Robert Hornman, Worldhotels’ Managing Director.

"We are seeing a clear trend with more and more corporations asking for more disclosure – the most recent example being the Global Business Travel Association adding several CSR-related questions to its contracting process."

"However, sustainability is also closely linked to profitability – the cost savings from reducing energy bills, water consumption and food waste are highly significant.  The Worldhotels Sustainability Programme commits us to offering our hotels support, guidance and solutions to enable them to effectively measure and manage their resources."

The Worldhotels Sustainability Policy can be viewed athttp://worldhotels.com/sustainability.

Valere Tjolle
Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2012 Special Offers HERE