What are Green Hotels? Comprehensive Guide From A Tourism Expert

Are you looking to be a more conscious traveler while still enjoying your holiday to the fullest? No worries, a green hotel may be just what you’re looking for! Green hotels are becoming increasingly popular. They offer travelers the opportunity to enjoy their stay without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

As an experienced tourism expert with a bachelor’s degree in tourism management and years of working experience, I’m here to tell you about eco hotels. What exactly makes them unique, and why this trend is taking off in the hospitality industry.

It’s also worth noting that not all labels have equal requirements to be certified as a green hotel, but after reading this article, you will know everything to make your own informed decision.

Read on for my comprehensive guide on all things eco hotels so that you can make an informed decision with your accommodations next time you plan a vacation.

What Are Green Hotels?

Green hotels are a relatively new concept to minimize negative impacts (such as food waste, energy, and water consumption) on society and the environment in the hospitality sector and maximize the positive impacts. They strive to adhere to practices with minimal negative environmental impact, meaning green hotels are unique because they emphasize sustainable initiatives.

Sustainable hotels can be rated after meeting specific minimal criteria. The World Sustainable Tourism Council establish sustainable requirements and operating procedures in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Green hotels can support local economy and sustainable travel by using green vehicles, preferring natural materials, installing solar panels, reducing energy consumption, or engaging with the local community.

The Sustainable Tourism Council doesn’t issue certificates directly, but this task is outsourced to various organizations such as green key, earth check, etc. 

When done correctly, the green label provides guidance before booking a hotel room or venue space, as patrons know they are opting for an eco-friendly experience while supporting green businesses.

With a green label, it’s easier to know how environmentally friendly a hotel actually is, making green labels highly beneficial when deciding on accommodations for responsible travelers like you and me.

Global Sustainable Tourism Council

We have already briefly discussed the role of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, but here is some more detailed information on the organization in tourism.

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) was initiated in 2007 as a non-profit organization promoting responsible tourism practices worldwide. Today, the Council consists of over 140 organizations worldwide, such as the Rain Forest Alliance, the United Nations Environment Programme, etc.

The GSTC works with businesses, governments, and organizations — from destinations to tour operators – to ensure the tourism industry is sustainable.

The GSTC provides global standards for sustainability so travelers can recognize businesses that are committed to the conservation of natural resources and respect for cultural heritage. The most important asset for the certification of green hotels is the criteria list for hotels, which they will update and adjust frequently.

Additionally, the GSTC offers outreach programs and technical support to advance sustainable tourism initiatives across the globe. With more than 200 members hailing from over 65 countries, the GSTC is an active leader in ensuring that tourism continues well into the future without putting pressure on communities or ecosystems.

Effects of GSTC Criteria

While the criteria have many positive effects, success also highly depends on political and economic circumstances. We tend to see the most significant changes when sustainable tourism development is also on the political agenda and when the destination actively participates in the changes.

One of the best examples of a sustainable, certified destination is Reykjavík, Iceland. This stunning city is dedicated to environmental protection and has crafted an incredible tourism experience without compromising its natural surroundings.

The Mayor of Reykjavík has openly supported initiatives that focus on sustainability while furthering touriLikewise, touristic city. Touristic service providers in Reykjavík have followed this lead by participating in different initiatives.

This collaboration between destination and service providers has allowed them to create even more ways for people to explore the unique culture and breathtaking nature that Reykjavík provides with minimal disruption to its environment.

Below, you will find an example of how these GSTC criteria are structured. You will see the Criterial on the left, the indicators for the hotel, and which Sustainable Development Goal it can be associated with.

Criticism of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council

Criticisms of the organization have cited its lack of detail regarding definitive operational guidelines and a lack of broader industry inclusion and representation in its mission.

GSTC’s sparse public outreach has also raised questions about accountability and its decision-making process.

Thirdly, viewing it as a minimal requirement for sustainable travel is essential. Some countries, like my home country Switzerland for example, sometimes already have stricter legal requirements in certain areas.

Consequently, although some destinations are not certified, they might have better standards for environmentally sustainable travel than certified destinations. Having that said, it’s still true that GSTC criteria have many positive effects, mainly in countries in the southern hemisphere.

However, despite these criticisms, the GSTC has been very receptive to feedback and suggestions from stakeholders – likely due to the open dialogue maintained in the organization’s community forums.

The GSTC continues to be a critical body for spearheading the sustainability of the global travel industry – providing resources, development tools, and education towards this end.

Global Sustainable Development Goals

To really understand the purpose and idea of green tourism, you also have to know about the Sustainable Development Goals, which were defined by the United Nations. These general goals for a more sustainable world are not directly connected to tourism.

Due to the different stages of development and wealth worldwide, each identifies the most urgent goals for their current situation. For example, A third-world country will likely prioritize goals like Zero Hunger or No Poverty.

In contrast, industrialized countries will like to focus on goals like Gender Equality or Responsible Consumption. Consequently, the tourism industry will focus on goals to make a positive impact, and each GSTC criteria is linked to one of the seventeen sustainable development goals.

Three Aspects of Sustainability

Sustainable tourism is a vital concept that needs to be considered to make the industry a force for good. GSTC goals recognize this and consider three dimensions of sustainability — environmental, economic, and social — to ensure that tourism works for all.

Regarding the environment, sustainable tourism strives to reduce the pollution released from transportation operated by tour operators and keep wildlife areas intact for future generations. Eco friendly hotels should also install recycling bins, reduce food waste, adjust air conditioning, and use natural materials to improve environmental performance. Economically, its goal is to promote local communities by ensuring the efficient use of resources and sharing benefits among stakeholders. Finally, socially it seeks to respect local cultures and traditions, as well as residents’ rights.

Critical Aspects of Modern Tourism

Modern tourism has some challenges and can negatively impact the local societies, environment, or infrastructure. As a responsible visitor, knowing about these potential negative impacts is essential to minimize them if possible. To make your life easier, I listed some of the critical aspects below:

Water Consumption

Water is one of the most essential components to sustain life on Earth, as it is required for all living organisms to survive. In addition, water is essential for the body; it helps regulate body temperature, helps with digestion, and carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells.

Given its importance in sustaining life, it should be no surprise that different land residents require different amounts of water per day to stay healthy and alive.

The average water consumption per day and person varies greatly depending on where they live:

Tourism places an additional strain on available water resources due to its high demand for recreational activities such as pools, garden facilities, or golf courses that rely heavily on large-scale irrigation systems. According to research conducted by UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), tourism worldwide used around 540 billion cubic meters of freshwater resources in 2017 alone – a figure expected to increase significantly with the expansion of tourism activities in destinations around the globe.

This high demand can lead to serious shortages during peak seasons when supplies are strained due to other causes or natural phenomena such as droughts or floods.

Additionally, tourism-related activities can also have a detrimental effect on local ecosystems if adequate measures are not taken into account; illegal activities like overexploitation of groundwater resources can damage aquifers leading to increased salinity levels which may adversely affect nearby flora and fauna species’ habitats.

Waste Disposal

The problem of waste in countries with insufficient infrastructures, such as Southeast Asia or the Maldives, is a major ecological issue. With millions of tonnes of plastic and other materials ending up in the ocean every year, it is becoming increasingly challenging to keep up with the demand for clean and safe water sources.

This is further compounded by the fact that tourism produces an average of 2-5 liters per day and per person. Most of this waste ends up in our oceans as it has nowhere else to go due to inadequate infrastructure and disposal methods.

This presents an array of problems, from the likes of microplastics polluting waters to toxicity levels increasing which affects marine life. For instance, when fish consume these plastics, they can become sick or die; if humans consume them, it can also lead to health issues.

Economic Perspectives

The economic perspective in the hotel industry is complex, as it encompasses both the challenges facing workers and the lack of opportunities for local staff to move up in terms of career and income.

On the one hand, jobs in the hotel industry are often characterized by long hours and low pay, meaning that many workers can barely make ends meet. Furthermore, these jobs tend to be physically demanding, with employees bearing the brunt of customers’ complaints while dealing with stressors such as tight deadlines or having to work on holidays.

On the other hand, positions of power and higher wages within hotels are generally taken by foreign managers or those outside the local area. This limits career prospects for local staff members who may have worked at a particular hotel for years but can’t access better job opportunities due to their lack of specialized skills or knowledge.

Certifications For Green Hotels

An eco friendly hotel that takes proactive steps to reduce their carbon footprint can become certified through a green certification program. Hotels that are part of a green certification program must meet specific criteria and requirements, such as using eco-friendly products and services and improving energy efficiency.

Green certifications are essential for hotels that want to communicate that they take sustainability seriously and commit to ongoing environmental action.

Minimal Requirments For Labels

When assessing a green label’s sustainability credentials, three main aspects should be considered: sustainability, transparency, and credibility.

Sustainability

Sustainability relates to the environmental impact of the hotel’s operations, such as energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management. The hotel should show evidence that it has implemented sustainable practices in each of these areas. For example, they should have data demonstrating reduced wastage or increased use of renewable energy sources. They should also provide details about any additional initiatives they have taken to reduce their carbon footprint.

Transparency

Transparency refers to the extent to which information about the label’s criteria is available for public scrutiny. The more open and requirements the standards are, the more trust can be placed in its certification process. Therefore, it is vital to look for labels with clear, publicly available criteria so customers can understand what they signify and how they benefit from this type of certification.

Credibility

Finally, credibility refers to whether independent tests are conducted on-site or whether checks are dependent on spot evaluations by an external body such as a third-party auditor or review panel.

Labels with credible certification processes tend to be more trustworthy and thus more likely to inspire consumer confidence in their certification program since a rigorous evaluation process has been conducted by experts who specialize in sustainability standards and responsible tourism practices.

It is also crucial that these independent tests take into account global recognition – meaning it is essential for third-party auditors or reviewers to consider both industry best practice standards specific to each region and global best practices when conducting assessments.

Recommended Sustainability Labels For Green Hotels

To make your life as easy as possible, I have research the criteria of dozends of labels so you don’t have to. Below you will find my three favourite labels, I can recommend to look for without a doubt. All three labels have the highest standards of credibility, transparency and complete approach, that go beyond the minimal standarts to be GSTC-certified.

There are also a few other very solid and well known labels I like, but they have some draw backs in one area are another and can not quite compete with the same strict standards as the first three labels in my option. On a positive note, all thee labels are available worldwide.

Where To Book Green Hotels

Booking.com

When you’re planning a vacation but which to be eco-friendly, bookings new filter makes it easy for you to find accommodations that will minimize your environmental impact. On the website, you can search for green hotels in any location around the world.

You can use filters to select green accommodations, such as carbon-neutral hotels, eco-lodges, green-certified properties, and establishments with travel offset programs. Additionally, booking.com provides information on each green hotel so that you can make an informed decision about selecting environmentally friendly lodging for your next trip.

Bookdifferent.com

BookDifferent.com is the perfect place to find green hotels: its mission has always been to empower people across the globe to reduce their environmental footprint when traveling. Securing green hotels that meet your specific needs and preferences was never easier: The website will provide you with a great variety of labels, from green rating up to platinum, and also features different sections for plastic-free transportation and local food. However, visiting green hotels on your next holiday and reducing your environmental impact was never so easy.

EcoHotels.com

The website is another excellent green hotel booking option, where customers can stay in hotels committed to protecting and preserving the environment. The company works only with certified green hotels prioritizing eco-friendly practices, from solar and wind power use, to reduce their carbon footprint. Furthermore, ecohotels.com plants one tree for every green hotel booking made to increase reforestation and environmental diversity around the world.

With more people considering green alternatives for travel, this is an excellent resource for those seeking green accommodations without compromising on quality or comfort during their stay.

Bookitgreen.com

For individuals looking to book green hotels and reduce their carbon footprint, bookitgreen.com offers a great solution. This platform provides green hotel accommodations all over the globe, emphasizing European countries. Fully committed to sustainability and eco-friendly living, bookitgreen has developed 15 criteria for green hotels, including water-saving toilets and organic food, within their selection of accommodation.

Booking green doesn’t mean compromising on comfort; users can enjoy the same level of service as any other hotel through this green initiative.

Conclusion

Green hotels are becoming increasingly popular, but it’s important to know what the label mean. In addition, there are a variety of different green hotel rating systems out there, so make sure you do your research before booking. And remember, even small changes can make a big difference in saving energy and protecting the environment. So next time you’re looking for a place to stay, consider staying at a green hotel!