Green Lodging Trends Report Reveals Top Sustainability Strategies

The Green Lodging Trends Report (GLTR) 2024, released in December, offers a full analysis of sustainability innovations and best practices across the global hospitality sector. The report, authored by Greenview, examines 80 sustainability practices, with 17 directly aligned with the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Hotel Sustainability Basics.

Report Scope and Methodology

The 2024 edition of the GLTR draws data from approximately 20,000 hotels in 50 countries, assessing 80 best practices. It categorizes practices based on their adoption rates: common (75% and above), established (50%-74%), emerging (25%-49%), and innovative (less than 25%). The report also considers hotel profiles, including geographic location, service type, STR chain scale, and hotel type, providing a subtle view of sustainability trends across different market segments.

Key Findings

The report highlights nine key trend areas: Management System, Staff and Guest Engagement, Social Impact, Pollution and Biodiversity, Responsible Consumption, Waste Management, Water Conservation, Energy Management, and Climate Action. Here are some standout findings:

• 96.4% of hotels have initiatives to reduce inequalities, demonstrating a significant commitment to social responsibility. These initiatives range from fair labor practices and supply chain transparency to community engagement and investment in local communities.
• 95.9% have implemented a linen reuse program, contributing to a substantial reduction in water, energy, and chemical usage. This practice, now widely adopted, reflects a shift towards more sustainable laundry practices.
• 93.2% track carbon emissions, with 83.1% doing so on a monthly basis. This high level of tracking indicates a strong focus on understanding and mitigating the industry’s environmental impact.
• 91.7% have replaced plastic mini toiletry bottles with alternatives such as refillable dispensers. This change aligns with the global effort to reduce single-use plastic waste, with hotels playing a significant role.
• 90.9% have a carbon emissions reduction action plan, showing that hotels are not only tracking their emissions but also actively working to decrease them.

Conversely, while 83.1% track energy consumption and 82.0% track water consumption, both are typically tracked on a monthly basis, indicating room for improvement in more frequent tracking. While 77.6% offer vegetarian menu options, reflecting a growing demand for plant-based dining, only 77.4% have a full energy reduction plan. Green cleaning products are used by 79.6% of hotels, demonstrating a shift towards more eco-friendly housekeeping practices.

Implications for the Hospitality Industry

The widespread adoption of many sustainability best practices signals a maturing commitment to environmental responsibility in the hotel industry. However, the report also shows areas for improvement, particularly in regular, detailed tracking of energy and water usage and the development of full energy reduction plans. As the industry continues to evolve, hotels may need to refine their approaches to waste management, water conservation, and climate action to meet emerging challenges. This could involve investing in smart technology for better resource management, enhancing guest education on sustainability efforts, and collaborating with suppliers and policymakers to drive industry-wide change.