While the term “Eco-Friendly Hotel” is not a new one, how much do you really know about what it entails and how choosing one can make a difference? Read on if you want to find out more!
Sustainable Tourism
Before delving into eco-friendly hotels, it’s important to get an understanding of the broader context of sustainable tourism; sometimes also termed as ethical tourism, this concept entails reducing the negative impact caused by travel to the environment including flora and fauna as well as local communities. Eco-friendly hotels are a key part of this and help tourists to travel sustainably as well.
Eco-Friendly Hotels
When it comes to sustainable tourism, there are three main aspects namely environmental, economic, and social and the ideal eco-friendly hotel promotes and upholds all three. There are diverse strategies and initiatives that such properties can follow such as using alternative energy sources, recycling, preserving the environment, installing energy-efficient lighting, sourcing organic produce and more. Depending on the measures taken, such properties can also receive green certifications such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.
An Ideal Example
One such ideal example of an eco-friendly accommodation provider is Heritance Kandalama on the island of Sri Lanka, a popular tourist destination. Of note, is that it’s the world’s first LEED-certified hotel and Asia’s first Green Globe 21-certified hotel as well.
This Kandalama hotel was constructed by world-renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa in such a way that the surrounding ecosystem was preserved and integrated into the design. The lush vegetation, impressive rock formations, natural water streams and exotic wildlife have all been preserved to create a unique sanctuary.
Sustainability in Action
Apart from a design and construction that do not harm the environment, the ideal property should have impactful measures in place too such as can be seen in the above hotel; examples include treating and repurposing all wastewater and effluents, managing energy to reduce emissions, getting involved in reforestation and segregating and monitoring solid waste with the aim of having zero waste reaching a landfill.
Apart from the environment, local communities and livelihoods must be sustained too; hiring and empowering local individuals from the immediate community as well as sourcing and purchasing from local entrepreneurs are some of the positive steps that can be taken.
