Sustainable hotels through energy efficiency

A recent JupiterResearch report called 'green online travellers' includes a detailed study on the interest of travellers to the environmental impact of the hotels and the tourist destinations, and especially on travelers who book their travel online. The study claims that 42% of online customers shows concerns about the environment, and that there is a hard core which consists of a niche of 7 per cent for which sustainability and respect for the environment determines their purchase decision. While this group still seems small is a trend that already exists in the market and that will grow in the coming years.

In this context, one of the main lines of action for the enhancement of the sustainability of the hotels is, on one hand, savings and energy efficiency, and another, the decline in the hotel business product greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years the Spanish hotel sector has been launched numerous initiatives both from institutional companies to move towards a more efficient and sustainable management model. Renew or die.

As a consultant for energy efficiency and energy services company established amount already a good number of projects in the hospitality industry, including the 'energy efficiency plans' developed for the Lopesán chain in Canary Islands or the number of energy audits for a total of seven establishments belonging to JS hotels in Mallorca.

One of the last projects developed by created with Auna tourism in the area of the hotel management has been a plan for the improvement of the energy efficiency of wave hotels in the Balearic Islands. This project was carried out a full diagnostic energy - energy audit - which contemplated four major areas related to energy consumption and expenditure under this heading:

• Billing: negotiation with suppliers of energy and management of the billing to obtain the best conditions for the client.
• Consumption: control and monitoring of fixed energy consumption and linked to the occupation.
• Facilities and equipment: operation of the facilities program.
• Investment: advice on purchasing and management of grants and subsidies for the improvement of energy efficiency.

The first step consisted in the development of an energy audit on the facilities of Ola hotels in Mallorca. In total were a set of 9 audits, one for each audited hotels. A diagnosis of energy situation and energy balance with which to assess how, how much and when consumed energy in each of the establishments was developed with all collected information. Make a good energy balance helps to manage the facilities identifying measures of energy saving with lower cost and greater impact.

One of the most striking findings of the study was that clear identified areas for improvement in the provision that 69% of the cases the power contract does not conform to requirements demanded by the establishment. On the other hand, were high consumption of reactive energy that should be compensated to avoid penalties. Correct both aspects will result in significant savings for the company, to reduce energy consumption by adapting it to the real needs. In total only by this concept hotel chain could achieve savings around 60,000 euros per annum.

With regard to measures for the improvement of energy efficiency identified different proposals in lighting, air conditioning, equipment, hot water and use of renewable energy sources. The implementation of the proposed measures could lead to an annual energy saving of 22%. The investment required is amortizaría in 5 years according to a plan designed by create and Auna tourism, in order to plan the necessary investments and give priority to the most effective measures. We also will reduce 343 tonnes per year emissions of the establishments.

Ola Hotels commitment to improving the energy efficiency of its hotels have impact as we have indicated a reduction in spending and in the optimization of the operation of the facilities. In addition, you will get a considerable improvement in their sustainability by reducing the impact of its activity on the environment.

As experts in energy management (ESE) energy services companies provide the path to hotels in the achievement of its objectives of optimization of energy expenditure and cutting emissions of pollutants. Through that the hotels can know the possibilities and the products and services more competitive in an environment with a wide range, helping them to decide how to address measures with guarantees to be applied in the field of sustainability and energy efficiency. These companies can become the true energy facilities managers so that the hotel outsourcing these functions in the hands of an expert, that in addition, by means of a contract for energy services, be responsible for the necessary investments to achieve energy efficiency targets. The benefits for the that come from savings generated in consumption and the energy expenditure, not implying any disbursement to the hotel.

In the next few years will see a genuine development of the market in energy in our country services, as has already happened in other countries of our environment. The hotel sector for their special needs has begun to develop many projects in this direction and is called to be one of the main beneficiaries of the development of the energy services market.

Sustainability in tourist accommodation

The hotel sector is fully aware that the care of the environment has an impact on the quality of the service, the perception of the destination and the customer experience. Therefore, the sector strives to put in place measures that reinforce its sustainability and reduce the negative impacts that environment can generate the hotel business.

A recent example of this is the Association of hotel owners ' on the Costa del Sol (Aehcos) Department Aehcos responsible, a bet that recently presented by the commitment to the environment. With this they seek to avoid incompatibilities with the well-being of the economy and facilitate greater satisfaction.

For its part, the Andalusian group El Fuerte has launched Responsible Hotels, a project pioneered the integration of sustainable indicators in hotels and the positioning of responsible for accommodation on the Internet.

This innovative project is formed by a team of specialists in environmental sciences, electronic commerce and tourism serving as a platform for the distribution of hotels on the Internet.

Responsible Hotels has been awarded by the Forum EUSA Companies 2011 in the category of 'Social commitment and sustainability', which recognizes professional practices, companies, ideas and initiatives in the tourism sector.