Green Hotel - Makes Holiday More Sustainable

Date Published: September 27th, 2024

Written by: Vania Dian Gunawan, edited by Charlene Octavian

Bali ranked 2nd in the top 10 most popular destinations in the world for 2023 (TripAdvisor). The number of tourists continues to increase every year post-COVID-19. According to Badan Pusat Statistik Bali (BPS), the number of international tourists arriving in Bali increased from 481,646 in December 2023 to 503,194 in April 2024. This also has led to more hotels, with Bali having 3,895 hotels in 2023 (the highest nationwide). In April 2024, the occupancy rate for star-rated and non-star-rated hotels was recorded at 57.69% and 44.05%, respectively.

Economically, this growth is beneficial as it encourages economic growth, creates jobs, and promotes infrastructure development like hotels, resorts, airports, and roads. However, this also increases the impact on the environment, especially if there is unregulated development and over-exploitation of natural resources. Issues such as land use change, excessive water and electricity usage, improper waste management, and pollution may threaten Bali’s environment and the local communities. This is why implementing green hotels is important to make the industry more sustainable.

What is a Green Hotel or Eco-Hotel?

A green hotel, also known as an eco-hotel, is dedicated to minimizing its environmental impact and carbon footprint while enhancing guest’s and staff’s well-being. This involves implementing environmentally friendly policies and procedures from construction to daily operations. Green hotels also embrace corporate and social responsibility within their communities. According to the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard, a green hotel adopts environmentally friendly and energy conservation measures. These measures are further divided and detailed into criteria for green hotels.

Green Hotel Criteria

Use of Green Products:

Encouraging the use of environmentally friendly products for hotel operations such as local products for food and handicrafts. For example, organic linen, towels, and mattresses. Eco-friendly keycards (paper or wood) can also replace plastic room keys to save costs and reduce environmental waste.

Collaboration with community local organizations:

Efforts should focus on improving the local community’s quality of life through environmental awareness programs, cultural promotion, and job creation. Another example could include collaborating with local farmers and using local sources for hotel food.

Standards for Ensuring Local Guide Quality & Human Resource Development

This includes promoting environmental activities to involve hotel staff, clients, and suppliers in sustainable practices such as training to raise staff environmental awareness and a monitoring program to ensure effective implementation. Additionally, provide training programs on environmental management for operation and management staff.

Solid Waste Management

Introduce waste management techniques such as reduction, reuse, recycling, waste separation, and composting, while encouraging both hotel staff and guests to actively participate in these programs. This can include providing waste separation stations, educational signs, in-room TV programs, and offering reusable water bottles with explanations.

Energy Efficiency

Implement energy-saving techniques and technologies to reduce energy consumption like LED lighting, wind, solar panels, smart lighting, and smart thermostats. Additionally, install meters or equipment to monitor energy usage.

Water efficiency and water quality

Introduce water-saving techniques and technologies to reduce consumption, ensure regular maintenance of water-saving equipment, encourage guest participation in water conservation, and maintain high water quality standards. This includes promoting less consumption, such as reusing towels or refilling water bottles. For appliances, consider using low-flow faucets, shower heads, dual-flushing toilets, etc.

Air quality management (indoor and outdoor) & Noise pollution control

Regularly monitor and maintain equipment and hotel facilities, such as air conditioning, and designate smoking and non-smoking areas to ensure good air quality. Noise control programs from hotel operations could include identifying and addressing any sources of noise that could disturb the guests.

Wastewater Treatment & Toxic Substance Disposal Management

Implement mechanisms to prevent water contamination and reduce wastewater generation. Promote the use of recyclable or grey water for operations such as irrigation, and encourage appropriate wastewater treatment practices. Additionally, use clear signs for toxic substances, manage hazardous waste properly, and regularly check and clean storage areas to prevent leaks.

Benefits of Implementing Green Hotel Concept

Environmental Benefits

Green hotels minimize energy and water use, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. By recycling and composting, hotels could reduce waste and lessen their landfill impact, conserving natural resources. Additionally, the use of sustainable building materials and native plants in landscaping supports local ecosystems and wildlife.

Economic Benefits

Implementing energy and water-efficient practices not only reduces environmental impact but also lowers utility bills. Disposal fees can be reduced through composting, recycling waste, and minimizing the waste going to landfills. The longer durability of some appliances can also save supply costs. Additionally, increasing the hotel’s value can attract environmentally conscious investors and funding.

Social Benefits

Green hotels support local businesses by sourcing products and services locally, boosting the local economy, and creating job opportunities. They also educate guests about sustainable practices, raising awareness of environmental issues and encouraging more eco-friendly behaviors. This positively impacts the community and provides guests with a sense of satisfaction knowing they are contributing to environmental protection.

Health Benefits

Green hotels enhance guest well-being by using natural cleaning products and air-purifying techniques to improve air quality and reduce illness. They often incorporate natural light and plants to create a calming environment that positively impacts mental and physical health. Additionally, offering organic food and beverages provides healthier options for guests.

As one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world, it’s important to implement the green hotel concept in Bali. While some hotels have already adopted these practices, more need to join. This not only reduces the environmental impact but also educates tourists and the community to adopt sustainable habits. Besides the hotel industry making conscious changes, it is important to strictly enforce existing regulations to prevent environmentally harmful development. For example, the recent construction in the south of Bali caused a cliff to collapse last May, showing the need for stricter rules.

Eco-Mantra’s Commitment to Sustainability

Eco-Mantra is an environmental engineering consultancy company based in Bali that has been helping clients, including properties such as villas, hotels, and more, to minimize their environmental impact while enhancing occupant comfort through the implementation of numerous Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) practices for the past 10 years.

If you are interested in minimizing your property’s environmental impact, please visit our portfolio to see our work and contact us here with any questions. Our team of engineers will be happy to assist you on your sustainable journey.