Consciousness about the environment and other cultures when traveling should be every traveler’s priority. Although many of us try to travel in a very eco-friendly way, it’s sometimes quite difficult to do “the right thing”. Especially when it comes to accommodation.
After all, we want to feel comfortable in our home away from home, no matter if it’s only for a night or a whole two week long vacation. Still the aspect of sustainability is important when it comes to the right travel accommodation, which is why we will show you how to find it wherever you go.
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What does sustainability in accommodation mean?
Generally speaking, sustainability and eco-friendliness in tourism refer to practices that aim to minimize the environmental, social and economic impact of travel and accommodation.
These concepts aim to make positive contributions to the environment and locals but at the same time generate economic benefits. More precisely this means:
- Environmental impact: This includes the responsible use of natural resources, the protection of biodiversity, the reduction of CO2 emissions and the promotion of environmentally friendly means of transport.
- Social responsibility: This includes respect for local culture and traditions, the involvement of local communities in tourism activities and the promotion of fair working conditions.
- Economic viability: Sustainable tourism aspires to distribute economic benefits fairly and strengthen the local economy without jeopardizing the environment or social structures.
This definition also applies when it comes to accommodation. Eco-friendly accommodation is designed to have a positive long-term impact on the environment and local communities without compromising the tourist experience. And this requires conscious decision-making on the part of us, the travelers and committed implementation on the part of the tourism industry.
What makes an accommodation sustainable?
But what exactly is it that makes a hotel sustainable? There are certain aspects that hotels and other kinds of accommodation can fulfill, to operate in a more sustainable way:
- Green construction
Eco-friendly accommodation relies on sustainable building materials and energy-efficient architecture to minimize the ecological footprint during the construction phase.
- Energy efficiency
Green hotels favor renewable energy sources like solar power or wind energy, energy efficiency and the use of environmentally friendly technologies.
- Waste reduction
Waste production is minimized through waste avoidance, recycling and the use of environmentally friendly products.
- Regional integration
The integration of local communities, products and services promotes the local economy and strengthens the social responsibility of the accommodation.
- Nature conservation
The preservation of the surrounding nature and ecosystems is at the center of sustainable accommodation.
Best practice for sustainability in accommodation
After all these facts and definitions you are probably wondering, what kind of accommodation is suitable for you if you plan on traveling eco-friendly. So here are six examples of how environmentally friendly hotels or green accommodation could look like:
- Accommodations run by marginalized groups
This e.g. could be any kind of guest house, hotel or resort run by indigenous people or people of color. It counts as a sustainable travel accommodation as it helps to empower marginalized groups by creating local jobs and returning income to the community.
It’s important to note that such accommodations respect and promote local culture, often providing an authentic experience. Also, since many of these marginalized communities tend to be more connected to nature this could also mean that their accommodation is designed to be environmentally friendly.
- Eco lodges
Eco lodges or eco-friendly resorts are often found in national parks. Such establishments usually use renewable energy sources such as solar energy or hydropower.
These lodges or resorts are normally also actively involved in protecting the surrounding nature and run environmentally friendly construction projects to preserve the ecosystem. Furthermore they support local communities by employing local people, using regional products and promoting traditional crafts.
- Eco Hotels
Eco hotels can also be found in cities and are somewhat similar to the previously mentioned lodges and resorts. A sustainable hotel is built according to ecological standards, uses environmentally friendly building materials and integrates energy-efficient architecture.
It should also operate an effective waste management system, recyclable products are preferred and waste is minimized. Hotels like these often also have a special certification and are perfect if you plan on doing a city trip that should be as sustainable as possible.
- Couchsurfing
Local accommodation, such as couchsurfing, doesn’t just support social responsibility because it actively promotes cultural exchange and directly supports the local population. It is also usually a very cheap option which makes it even more convenient if you are on a budget or simply don’t want to spend too much on a higher priced eco-friendly hotel.
Additionally, there are less resources used than in larger accommodations and by utilizing existing resources, the ecological footprint is reduced, which means that your stay doesn’t have such a big impact on the environment.
- Farm stay
In many countries and areas it is possible to stay at a farm. These farms usually have a guest house and are perfect for families or travelers who want an authentic more traditional experience. Since farms are often located in rural areas, this contributes to a natural environment for guests.
Such farms normally practices organic farming and promote sustainable food production. Guests can often enjoy local, fresh produce and the farm might even support self-sufficiency.
- Bed and breakfast
A small and authentic B&B as they are often called in a historic neighborhood calls for an environmentally friendly vacation. Small accommodations like these tend to use fewer resources and most of the time they offer a more personalized experience.
B&Bs often promote local shops and restaurants, which contributes to the economic support of the community. Also there is more personal contact between hosts and guests, which often creates a stronger sense of community.
All these examples have one thing in common. The sustainability of these accommodations lies in their ability to be environmentally, socially and economically responsible while providing guests with an authentic and enriching experience.
This is not a sustainable accommodation
Non-environmentally friendly hotels or resorts and other sorts of accommodation can have a significant negative impact on the environment and local communities. Here are examples of such accommodation types, so you know what not to book when looking for a place to stay during your vacation:
- Airbnb in cities
Don’t get me wrong, I myself enjoy staying in Airbnbs but in some cities they have caused a lot of harm to the locals. Because the popularity of Airbnb means that living space for locals is becoming scarcer, which drives up rents and leads to displacement effects. After a few years this results in very little space for locals and very high rents, which can’t be paid with the average local income.
Besides the relocation of locals, Airbnb also has a negative environmental impact. The growing number of short-term rentals leads to increased energy consumption and waste generation due to frequent changes of guests.
- Cruise ships
Cruise ships have a significant environmental footprint and can lead to pollution, overfishing and damage to sensitive coastal areas. Also the environmental impact of them is insanely negative.
Cruise ship emissions, both from fossil fuel consumption and sewage disposal, have serious impacts on air and water quality. Making it one of the worst options for your vacation in general.
- All-inclusive resorts
All-inclusive resorts often offer amazing specials and great options for a rather convenient stay in a nice hotel. The problem is these resorts tend to be closed systems and often distract guests from the local environment as all needs are met within the resort.
They can impact the local environment through excessive water consumption, waste production and land use. They may also encourage the import of food, further increasing the environmental footprint. A lot of the time locals work there for a very minimal and unfair salary.
It is crucial that the assessment of the environmental friendliness of an accommodation should not only be based on the direct environmental impact. But also on social and economic factors in order to enable a comprehensive sustainability analysis.
Beware of greenwashing
Greenwashing refers to a marketing practice in which companies or in our case hotels and other kinds of accommodation give the impression of being more environmentally friendly than they actually are.
They aim to show a positive image with regard to environmental and sustainability issues in order to attract tourists without actually implementing the necessary measures for environmental friendliness. So greenwashing basically conceals the fact that a product, service or company is not really sustainable.
Here are a few tips on how to recognise greenwashing in accommodation:
- Vague statements
If a hotel claims to be “environmentally friendly” without providing specific details about its sustainability practices it definitely is suspicious. Authentic sustainable accommodations on the other hand provide clear and verifiable information about their environmental initiatives.
- Misleading symbols or certificates
Some “wannabe sustainable hotels” use self-generated environmental certificates to portray themselves as sustainable. To be sure about certificates you should check whether the certificates come from recognised environmental organizations and whether the accommodation can substantiate its sustainability claims.
- Lack of measures
When it comes to sustainability hotels should give details on energy efficiency, waste management or social responsibility. If they don’t provide insights into their sustainable practices and initiatives they might not even take any action at all concerning this topic.
- Distraction from other issues
A hotel could e.g. emphasize its recycling practices but at the same time try to distract from environmentally damaging construction projects or controversial business practices. True sustainability however requires a holistic approach that includes all aspects of operations, not just selective measures.
- Lack of transparency
It is a definite red flag for hotels and resorts if they refuse to give further information on their environmental practices. Even if they have just started to go green, hotels should proudly and openly provide detailed information about their efforts.
- Unrealistic promises
Unfortunately there are accommodations that promise 100% environmental sustainability. But without explaining specific measures. This is usually too good to be true. Because real sustainable practices are realistic and cannot always guarantee 100% eco-friendliness.
As a tourist or in general as consumers, it is important for us all to be critical so we don’t get fooled by superficial claims. Checking practices and certificates can help you to distinguish genuine sustainability from greenwashing.
Where to look for eco-friendly hotels
To book a room in an environmentally friendly hotel you could either look specifically just for green accommodation or book via certain travel agencies and companies that promote eco tourism and sustainability in hotels and vacations. Some recommended sites to look for sustainable accommodation are:
- Ecobnb
- Booking.com with the “travel sustainable” filter
- Fairbnb
- Ecohotels
Note that these are just some platforms but there are numerous options, also green travel agencies where you can directly book your entire sustainable holiday. To make sure you only stay in eco certified hotels or accommodation that really makes an effort to be sustainable here a few quick tips:
- Read reviews and comments from other travelers to gain insight into the accommodation’s sustainability practices.
- Use filter options on booking platforms to specifically search for eco-friendly accommodation.
- Look out for any kind of green hotel certification, information on environmental initiatives, eco-friendly labels or other recognised sustainability awards. These can be displayed on the accommodation websites.
- Don’t be afraid to enquire directly with the accommodation to find out more about their environmental initiatives. Reputable providers are transparent and happy to answer questions about sustainability.
By paying attention to these aspects, keeping certain information in mind and being well informed before booking, you can help to support sustainable travel and promote genuine environmental friendliness.
