In recent years, “going green” has become an attractive topic and has attracted the attention of many businesses and tourists. The trend of green hotels with environmentally friendly designs and creating a “green” culture in service is the goal that businesses are aiming for.
Overall impact of hotel operations on the environment
Hotel accommodation business is one of the tourism sectors that has a significant impact on the environment because it uses a lot of resources. The main activities of the hotel such as: heating services, water heating, swimming pools... consume a lot of natural energy and create negative impacts on the environment. To solve these problems, the green hotel trend was born as a method to both meet the needs of tourism and balance the natural ecosystem.
What is a green hotel?
According to the Zero Waste Alliance, the green hotel movement is understood as “a hotel that strives to become more environmentally friendly through the rational use of energy, water and materials while still ensuring the provision of quality services”. Although there are many different definitions, the common spirit of these hotels is to minimize the impact on the environment by saving energy and creating a “green” culture in service.
Green trends in hotels
To make an impression on customers, increase competitiveness and minimize the impact on the natural environment, many hotels have switched to a “green” form of service. The elements in this green hotel trend include design, operating systems, service methods and accommodation systems that are all built to be environmentally friendly and pay special attention to the issue of maintaining scarce natural resources.
- Energy, water, waste and air management
Green hotel operations are changed by building energy management systems, water management, waste and air management that are good for the environment. Regularly monitoring bills, installing energy-saving technology devices, using water-saving devices, sorting waste or encouraging guests to rent hotel bicycles instead of motorbikes are the advantages of this type of hotel.
- Activities related to service distribution
In some hotels following the "going green" trend, commonly used tangible tourism products will also be packaged in paper packaging, which is easily biodegradable and good for the environment. In particular, these hotels say no to the use of raw materials from rare animals. Recycling products for use is also a popular factor when operating green hotels.
- Encourage employee participation
The green hotel movement also encourages employee participation by promoting awareness through training sessions, tours or competitions on the issue of maintaining service culture awareness. At the same time, management staff also continuously provide information on the hotel website, magazines or public areas about green tourism and its benefits in the hotel organization environment.
Benefits of applying "going green" to hotels
Green hotels that invest in natural energy consumption equipment receive positive feedback and maximize cost savings. Although the initial cost of implementing these systems that are beneficial to business and the environment is relatively high, the long-term effectiveness is undeniable. The benefits are completely worth the initial budget.
In addition, the implementation of environmentally and socially friendly activities of the green hotel movement such as purchasing local goods and services has created a significant competitive advantage. Guests tend to choose hotels with green design, giving a feeling of being truly immersed in nature. Above all, these factors are oriented towards health, so they are extremely popular with consumers.
Green hotels in Vietnam
Currently, the trend of "going green" is very familiar in Vietnam and is becoming a trend that is very popular with tourists. Some notable green accommodations include: Atlas Hotel Hoi An with green design and quiet space, Venue Hotel Nha Trang stands out thanks to its square green building, Condotel Babylon Garden Da Nang with its classy services, Zannier Hotels Bai San Ho surrounded by the wild space of Phu Yen's primeval forest, Topas Ecolodge - a green gem in the middle of poetic Sa Pa, The Vedana Lagoon Resort & Spa hidden in the middle of the peaceful Phu Loc lagoon, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay with wooden villas with the scent of herbs, or Amanoi Ninh Thuan with unique personal health treatment experiences.
Zannier Hotels Coral Beach
Topas Ecolodge
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
Using designs close to nature, operating systems that are good for the environment and a top-notch service culture are the advantages that this type of hotel brings. Green hotels are not just a way for accommodation establishments to advertise, but they have truly become a lifestyle.
