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Support From Owners
April 10, 2008
I was recently the keynote speaker at the Hosts Hotels and Resorts Excellence awards. The entire meeting was focused on green issues and the contribution that a hotel can make to the community. Too often we hear that the “ownership does not support (green issues), which is the reason we have not done it.” It was so heartening to see an ownership company so committed--from design to operations--and providing the resources so their hotels could achieve results. It was particularly interesting to see so many brands working side by side on these issues. In matters of the environment and contribution to society we all need to work together.
Too often the issue of “green” is being used as a marketing tool and, although this is the ultimate goal, companies have to be sure they pass the “green-wash test.”
A very wise friend said to me: “Lyndall, everyone remembers the marathon winners; very few remember the sprint champions.”
Going green is a marathon as there needs to be the enthusiasm for the concept, a strategy identified, intensive training and persistence and more persistence. It will not happen in a short sprint to the finish. Unfortunately companies are still seeking an instant solution and a quick fix to satisfy the customer demand.
I have just returned from a trip to Ethiopia, the home of marathon runners. No bells and whistles in this country. Commitment and persistence in often quite difficult conditions--but with outstanding results. Their marathon runners train on difficult terrain, in very high altitudes and do not have the high-tech centers and support. But they win Olympic medals.
Hopefully the hotel industry will come to the realization that it is ok to take the time to learn what is required, commit to the process and persist whatever the difficulty. These are the most important ingredients in establishing a green operation. It requires investment--but a lot of that is in personal time. It seems now that hotel owners want this as well and we need to enter the race and get on with it. If you want a training program go to www.tourismpartnership.org and download “Going Green.” It will put you on the path to success.
Posted by Lyndall De Marco on April 10, 2008 | Comments (3)
In response to: Support From Owners
Kevin B Murphy commented:
I find most Hotel Owners today do want to get involved today with eco-friendly ocnstruction, particularly with new developments, but more often still in developing countries, they are frequently frustrated by international and local technical advice that still persists with building and plant and equipment proposals that do not yet take advantage of already proven improvements in more eco-friendly and cost effective construction. Just as much of what we do with owners of heritage properties is explain the loss contributing disadvantages of not acting now to retrofit and change old operating methods, so too many of the contractors and technical advisors still take the easier way of known methods for quick resolution to allow them to move on to other work given the stretch in qualified practitioners today. We need to add to our efforts ways to show hotel builders and the teams that contract them how Green building is alrady less expensive in the total scheme of investment and operating risk that owners take on when they decide to build a hotel. Your efforts in accessing and infuencing those associations of architects, interior designers, quantity surveyors, plant and equipment suppliers to our hotel industry are welcomed. Keep up the good work, and see you on the conference circuit soon, Kevin
In response to: Support From Owners
Keith Balzer commented:
The Human Development Project is requesting information that can provide HDP with green hotels in areas that use non-traditional means of pooling resources together to invest in hostels or other vacation spots in areas of the globe not only open to clean and safe energy and building, but areas that would like to resist attempts to herd us all into the current status quo.
In response to: Support From Owners
John commented:
Going green is not as big a hurtle to overcome as you think. It has had little or no increase in the pricing of our services to the hospitality industry. Only now are some major groups expressing interest in green initiatives. Our Major Retail Division has been put to the green test for several years now by nationwide department stores. So the system is already in place. Technology has also caught-up. We now have deep carpet extractors that use nothing but retrievable hot water. You can't get much more greener than H2O. jfoley@carpelclean.com