Hotels have been tasked with meeting stringent carbon reduction targets. As such, there’s an increasingly urgent focus among hoteliers on how to do it. As large properties with multiple functions and fluctuating demand, it’s tough for hotels to make a robust plan that will work. Here are five ways your PMS could help.
The hotel industry has been told it needs to reduce its carbon emissions by 66% per room by 2030, according to the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. Currently responsible for 1% of global carbon emissions, the hotel industry needs a clear plan of action to ensure the projected growth of the sector doesn’t negatively impact the planet.
It’s more difficult for hotels than businesses operating in other industries to lower emissions, and this is due to the complexity of operations. Hotels traditionally have energy-intensive processes, plus the cost of retrofitting older hotel buildings to make them more sustainable can be high. In fact, 30-70% of a hotel’s carbon footprint comes from emissions relating to the construction and maintenance of the building itself. With complex supply chains, hundreds of suppliers and even more guests, it can be difficult for hotels to influence carbon-reducing behaviours among everyone involved with the hotel too.
Although there is a steep path ahead for hotels to meet sustainability goals, there are some ways technology and a property management system (PMS) can help.
1. Digitalise check-in
A relatively quick win for hotels to lower the carbon footprint is to replace paper with digitalisation where possible. Check-in has previously been a paper-intensive process that involves a lot of form-filling. Maximising your PMS to enable guests to complete pre-check-in information online or via an app can help, and enabling digital check-in via technology such as SIHOT.KIOSK is beneficial for both sustainability and the guest experience.
2. Manage energy usage
Using technology to track and adjust energy consumption across the hotel can be a key way to lower energy use. SIHOT.PMS can support this with integrations, including better.energy by Betterspace. This system means only occupied rooms are heated to a pre-set temperature, and it has extra functionalities such as detecting open windows – automatically adjusting the temperature as a result. It can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%, supporting hotels with their wider sustainability goals.
3. Communicate digitally
Reducing paper use in areas aside from check-in is another key route for hotels to lower the carbon footprint. Using PMS modules such as SIHOT.PRE- & POST-STAY and SIHOT.GO! hotels can communicate digitally with guests about all aspects of their stay. This can also be an opportunity to communicate sustainability efforts, such as policies on reducing towel replacement to save energy. Staff apps such as SIHOT.MOBILE can relay housekeeping, maintenance and meal plan information to staff, reducing the need for paper print-outs.
4. Infrastructure for electric vehicles
The European Commission is calling for 3.5 million electric vehicle (EV) charging points by 2030 to meet the needs of EV users. By switching its fleet to EVs and installing EV charging points, hotels can lower their carbon footprint, influence others to switch to EVs, and boost ancillary revenue. Using the PMS and relevant modules, hotels should invite guests to book EV charging online, via the guest app, or at the check-in kiosk. The SIHOT partnership with LADE, which links with the PMS, means EV top-up charges can be applied directly to a guest’s room.
5. Improve resource allocation
Part of the complexity of running a hotel comes from fluctuating demand, making resource allocation difficult to get right. Using the PMS and data analysis through modules such as SIHOT.INSIGHTS gives hotels a better understanding of future demand. Access to this information can influence staffing decisions, food and beverage (F&B) resources, and opening hours for on-site facilities. Ultimately, this helps hotels reduce waste and improve efficiency.
If you’d like to use SIHOT.PMS to support your hotel’s sustainability goals, contact us to find out more.