Strengthening Certifications: How Effective Are Hotel Sustainability Audits?

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See latest viewpoint on hospitalynet.org

The Eco-labels need to adjust their requirements and procedures to meet the upcoming Green Claims Directive. The separation between the certification and auditing processes is key to building trust in the claims made. Setting clear minimal standards for eco-certification will help meet sustainability standards. 

I think it is important to mention that eco-labels have helped hospitality organizations to start working on reducing their environmental impact. Although flaws exist in the current system, ecolabels have increased awareness and expertise on sustainability in many hospitality organizations. The reputation of Ecolabels may have suffered due to the reluctance of organizations with an instrumental approach to sustainability, versus those intrinsically motivated, to make full use of the opportunity of the eco-labels. 

We have reached a new phase in the sustainable transition of the hospitality industry, next steps need to be made, and making all ecolabels “Green Claims Proof” will help this transition. The current list of GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies is small, so much energy is needed to expand this group before the directive takes effect. They can play an important role in helping organizations make a sustainable transition and help them make underpinned green claims.

Leveraging AI for Operational Efficiency in Hospitality

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In the conversation on: AI and Sustainable Hospitality: Boon or Bane?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) transforms hotel operations, enhancing guest experiences while reducing Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Let’s explore some specific applications:

  1. Climate Control and Energy Efficiency:
    • HVAC Optimization: AI can dynamically adjust heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems based on real-time weather conditions and room occupancy. This ensures guest comfort while minimizing energy consumption.
    • Breakfast Buffet Management: Improved forecasting algorithms help optimize food quantities during breakfast buffets. AI considers guest preferences, occupancy, and time of day to reduce waste and enhance guest satisfaction.
  2. Sustainable Practices:
    • Transport Recommendations: AI can suggest sustainable transportation options for guests travelling to or from the hotel. To make a better choice between between e.g. international train alternative, airplane to reduce GHG emissions. Also options like electric shuttles, bike-sharing, or public transit, can be included.
    • GHG emissions: It’s essential to recognize that AI itself has a high CO2  footprint. The source of energy used matters—whether it’s renewable or fossil fuels. Hotels should take this in consideration when using AI to mitigate any negative environmental effects.

In summary, AI empowers informed decisions, efficiency gains, and positive environmental impact. Balance is key.

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Positive Returns

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Meaningful Guest Experience: Is Sustainability the Secret Ingredient? Rethinking the host-guest relation. See also my viewpoint at Hospitality Net.

Positive Returns

A meaningful guest experience hinges on the profound host-guest relationship  and deals with significance, purpose, and impact in actions, experiences, and relationships. The hospitality setting defines this relationship, shaped by staff interactions, while guest interactions with locals add depth. Immersing in a new culture reveals diverse customs and values. In hospitality, a paradigm shift redefines hosts as guardians of responsibility. This metaphor expands the host’s role beyond guests, involving future visitors, the local community, and the whole supply chain. This holistic perspective, rooted in futurity and equity, reshapes host-guest dynamics, aiming for a more sustainable industry

Showing Guardianship in their actions, hospitality organizations can offer sustainable products, reduce Scope 3 Green House Gas emissions, and empower guests to choose eco-friendly options, all contributing to a greener future. The host’s transformation into a guardian marks a pivotal moment in infusing sustainability and responsibility into the industry and provides meaningful experiences for guests. One example of this can be seen at the Dutch two-star Michelin restaurant, De Nieuwe Winkel with an additional Green star. They offer only plant-based menus to create a meaningful guest experience that helps to positively impact the world and make it better.

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https://www.hospitalitynet.org/viewpoint/125000207/126002201.html

Qualitative research: what is ‘enough data’?

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Students often wonder when they have enought data collected when doing qualitative research. The magic word is data saturation.

Data saturation is: ” .. New data tend to be redundant of data already collected. In interviews, when the researcher begins to hear the same comments again and again, data saturation is being reached… It is then time to stop collecting information and to start analysing what has been collected..” (Grady (1998: p. 26))

A more indepth explanation is provide in the article by Saunders et.al.(2017)

 

References:

Saunders, B., Sim, J., Kingstone, T., Baker, S., Waterfield, J., Bartlam, B., … & Jinks, C. (2017). Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization. Quality & Quantity, 1-15.

Grady, M.P.(1998): Qualitative and Action Research: A Practitioner Handbook. Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation, Bloomington.

Analyzing qualitative data

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the framework approach is an interesting way of analysing qualitative data in a structured/traceable way

Stage 1: Transcription

Stage 2: Familiarisation with the interview

Stage 3: Coding

Stage 4: Developing a working analytical framework

Stage 5: Applying the analytical framework

Stage 6: Charting data into the framework matrix

Stage 7: Interpreting the data

 see article + example via link

http://Using the framework method for the analysis of qualitative data in multi-disciplinary health research

join the debat on Green Hotelier

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Up Next: Human Rights
December 10th is Global Human Rights Day, which was created by the UN 21 years ago to provide an opportunity for people and organisations around the globe to celebrate human rights and draw attention to its continued importance. On the 10th December Green Hotelier will be launching a Know How Guide on Human Rights – an overview of everything hotels need to know about organisations, activities and responsible policy. On top of this we will also be publishing a couple of Talking Points from leading Human Rights organisations and publishing hotel activities surrounding the day.