Can your accommodation join the fight against climate change?
news
June 21, 2024
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Content in collaboration with Bioscore Sustainability, a sustainability consultancy for tourism companies.
In the context of World Climate Change Day, it is crucial to reflect on the fundamental role that tourism plays in mitigating the effects of climate change. As tourism professionals, it is inevitable to understand the responsibility of the sector to preserve the planet's biodiversity and actively contribute to the reduction of our ecological footprint.
Tourism has undoubtedly played a prominent role in the economic development of many regions of the world. However, it is also one of the sectors that generates a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions and consumes vast natural resources. It is therefore essential that tourism businesses seek to minimize and reverse their environmental impact through best practices.
Why is it important to bet on responsible tourism?
We must all strive to ensure that this activity focuses on principles that respect the limits of nature and promote practices that conserve natural and cultural resources for future generations. By adopting responsible measures, tourist accommodations not only reduce their environmental impact, but also contribute to raising tourists' awareness of the importance of conserving our planet.
So far so clear. But how do you take action? Key practices include efficient water and energy management, waste minimization, conservation of local biodiversity and promotion of responsible tourism in host communities. These measures are not only ethical, but can also be economically beneficial in the long run by reducing operating costs and increasing customer satisfaction.
If you don't measure, you will never be able to reduce your environmental impact
In this context, it is essential to have effective tools to help tourist accommodations measure and reduce their environmental impact accurately and efficiently.
One of the most recognized options is Bioscore Sustainabilitythe Valencian startup that won the EY Award for Best Sustainable Tourism Project at the Tourism Innovation Awards 2022. This certifier offers advanced tools to calculate both the carbon footprint and the water footprint of tourist accommodations.
The truth is that without these measurements, you cannot understand the environmental impact of your hotel operations and set realistic reduction targets. These are modest efforts that have a real impact on the environment and on travelers' perception of your accommodation.
Sustainability is not expensive, in fact it helps you reduce costs.
Despite the fact that the sustainability campaign has a facade of high investment, we can assure that establishing good and sustainable practices in any tourist accommodation does not involve a large economic investment. In fact, the opposite is true. Companies like Bioscore are making sustainability accessible so that there is no excuse, what they call democratizing sustainability.
Carbon and water footprint calculations can reveal inefficiencies and areas where changes can be made to reduce energy and water consumption. By doing so, hoteliers can achieve greater operational efficiency and reduce long-term costs , which can increase the profitability of the business.
So, can your tourist accommodation join the fight against climate change?
The answer is Yes:
World Climate Change Day reminds us of the urgency to act. Regardless of the size of the establishment, every hotel has the potential to be an agent of change in the fight against climate change. The question is not whether your tourism accommodation can join this fight, but how it can do so in an effective and sustainable way. The opportunities are there, waiting to be seized, and together we can create a more responsible present and future.