Sustainable tourism is a growing trend in the industry, with many travellers seeking eco-friendly accommodation that prioritises environmentally friendly responsibility and sustainable practices.
In fact, Mintel’s Sustainability in Travel Market Report found that three-quarters of Brits want to do more to minimise their impact on the environment whilst travelling, and 73% of travellers have stayed in or are interested in staying in eco-friendly accommodation.
With sustainability fast becoming a key driver of bookings and a differentiator between properties, it doesn’t just help the climate: it makes good business sense.
Holiday let owners must act on this trend to remain ahead of the curve; sustainability may not currently be in the spotlight of new regulations, which are centred around host reliability, but this is likely to shift in the coming years. Generation Z, dubbed the generation ‘most concerned’ for the planet’s wellbeing, is additionally becoming increasingly more likely to make their own decisions on where to travel as they come of age, thereby increasing the demand for eco-friendly short-term lets.
At GuestReady, we are already seeing guests selecting properties based on their sustainability credentials. In the future, this will become a key selling point, and we will continue to help owners to develop more sustainable properties and market them clearly as such to capture the sustainability-motivated guest, not only for the sake of the climate crisis but also for their own ROI.
Any property owner can start to become more conscientious of their carbon emissions through small and affordable changes. At the most basic level, we work with our property investors to help them encourage guests to recycle during their stay by leaving clear instructions and having different coloured bins for different types of waste.
Older light bulbs can also be replaced with LED ones at a relatively low cost, making them better for the environment and more cost-effective for our owners in the long term. When working with a rental management platform, hosts can be supported in ensuring their property is up to scratch when it comes to environmental efficiency before they rent to their first guests.
Chemical-free and plant-based products are better for the planet and we therefore urge property owners to consider them when stocking up for their incoming guests, from the likes of washing up liquid to reusable containers. It’s an easy win for guests that are concerned about their carbon footprint, and there aren’t many downsides to making the investment, even for the guests that don’t consider themselves eco-conscious.
Beyond the basics, we advise property owners to make investments in technology where they can to make their properties greener. Technology has become a driver of efficiency in the short-term rental space, and remote monitoring technology provides real-time data on energy usage and identifies areas where energy waste can be reduced. By using smart meters and sensors, hosts can monitor the energy consumption of their property and identify sources of energy waste, such as appliances that are left on when they're not in use or lights that are left on in unoccupied rooms.
With devices such as smart thermostats, they can remotely control the temperature of the property, ensuring that it's not using unnecessary energy to heat or cool the space when it's unoccupied.
While the initial investment of course comes at a cost, owners in time make savings as well as attract a wider range of guests. If refurbishments are already going ahead, it makes sense to implement technology that will boost sustainability and energy efficiency in the long term. For example, installing underfloor heating makes it easier to control the temperature room by room, making it more energy efficient than gas central heating.
While it’s of course of benefit for property owners to invest in these technologies and processes to make their rental homes more environmentally friendly, in order to attract guests in search of sustainable stays they must also publicise the great work they are doing on their listings. For example, one of our key initiatives for the future is to work with the owners to include details of how energy efficient their properties are, whether they are partaking in carbon offsetting and what types of products they use in their homes.
While authorities are working on building a long-term solution, there is an added duty for owners and property managers to be more proactive in being a positive force and minimising the environmental impact of operations: creating more sustainable stays is a key part of this mission.
