Why Should the Hospitality Industry Invest in Clean Energy?

Photo by The Anam

For anyone who has ever been to a hotel, restaurant, or amusement park, it’s clear to see that these businesses and attractions require enormous amounts of energy to power their operations. Unfortunately, the massive amounts of energy used on a daily basis has a negative effect on the environment and the future of our planet.

Thankfully, clean energy is beginning to present itself as a viable alternative to the traditional energy sources that businesses in the hospitality industry commonly use. Here are a few reasons why, you, as a tourism service provider or hospitality business, should transition to clean energy for benefits that include increased cost savings, enhanced resilience and improved environmental sustainability. 

What Is Clean Energy?

While many people are aware of the detrimental effects that some common energy sources — such as fossil fuels — can have on our environment, fewer are aware of the clean energy sources that exist as alternatives. This being the case, it’s natural for one to wonder things such as “what is clean energy?” and “why is it better?”

Put simply, clean energy refers to forms of energy that are renewable and also have little to no negative impact on the environment by emitting a fraction of carbon emissions compared with traditional energy sources. This is extremely important to the environment, as carbon dioxide — along with other air pollutants — is one of the main contributors to global warming. 

Examples of clean energy sources include solar energy, wind energy, and hydropower energy. While each geographic location is different and may not be conducive to every form of clean energy, many hospitality institutions are more than capable of utilizing these forms of energy to decrease their impact on the environment. 

Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy

While some insightful men and inspirational women in business and tech have begun to spearhead efforts to make their organizational operations more eco-friendly, these efforts have not been as common in the hospitality industry. One of the main barriers likely keeping organizations in the hospitality industry from investing in clean energy is the upfront costs associated with setting up systems to harness the power of these clean energy sources. 

While the initial costs to implement clean energy sources may seem high at a first glance, the benefits of utilizing these energy sources make it clear that the switch is more than worth it. Here are some of the benefits that organizations in the hospitality industry could experience as a result of investing in clean energy. 

1.Reduced Maintenance Costs

While the upfront costs of setting up clean energy systems such as solar panels or wind turbines may seem expensive, the truth is that maintenance costs for these forms of energy can be far cheaper than their non-renewable counterparts. Accordingly, organizations in the hospitality industry could save significant amounts of money in the long term by investing in clean energy. 

2.Less Impact on the Environment

While energy sources such as fossil fuels may seem like easier options for organizations in the hospitality industry, the fact is that they are having an extremely detrimental effect on the environment. While there are those out there who may not be concerned by this, many states, cities, and counties are beginning to impose new laws and regulations that require organizations to lessen their impact on the environment. This being the case, organizations in the hospitality industry can minimize their risk of facing fines and penalties by making the switch and investing in clean energy. 

3.Increasingly Cheaper Operational Costs

As we move into the future, the cost of operating clean energy systems is becoming cheaper. This is a result of the increased popularity and implementation of clean energy sources. As more and more organizations implement clean energy sources, different companies who specialize in installing and maintaining various systems are competing with each other by offering lower prices. 

Given that the popularity of clean energy is steadily increasing, organizations in the hospitality industry can expect to save an increasing amount of money as time goes on. As such, organizations intent on investing in processes that save them money in the long term have the opportunity to do so through the utilization of clean energy sources. 

The Hospitality Industry Needs to Transform

With each passing day, the negative effects of many traditional forms of energy becomes clearer and clearer. While many large organizations may not feel compelled to invest in clean energy, it can benefit both them and the world in a number of ways. 

By investing in clean energy sources, the hospitality industry has the opportunity to lessen its negative impact on the environment while also saving significant amounts of money. While these changes aren’t likely to happen overnight, many are hopeful that the hospitality industry will see the benefits of clean energy and begin transforming its operations in the near future. 

Sustainable tourism consultancy, Sea Going Green, supports the tourism and hospitality industry by helping clients plan and manage the green potential of their tourism operations to lower their footprint and create meaningful experiences for guests.

Schedule a call with us to start your sustainability journey