What's Happening?
By late 2025, many hotels have implemented visible sustainability measures such as LED lighting, towel reuse, and refillable products. However, significant impacts remain hidden in areas like construction,
furnishing, supply chains, and hosting practices. GCSTIMES, a supplier-focused company, highlights three major blind spots: embodied carbon in construction and furnishings, scope 3 supply-chain emissions, and guest travel and events. The company advocates for low-carbon materials, modular and repairable furnishings, and refurbishment over replacement. Additionally, it suggests integrating rail and shared mobility into booking flows and offering incentives for low-carbon arrivals. GCSTIMES aims to convert these unseen impacts into visible value, enhancing guest preference and resilience.
Why It's Important?
Addressing these sustainability blind spots is crucial for the hospitality industry to reduce its environmental footprint and enhance its appeal to eco-conscious consumers. By focusing on low-carbon materials and sustainable supply chains, hotels can significantly lower their carbon emissions. This shift not only aligns with global sustainability goals but also offers economic benefits through increased guest preference and potential cost savings. As consumers become more environmentally aware, hotels that master these unseen impacts will likely gain a competitive edge, attracting guests who prioritize sustainability in their travel choices.
What's Next?
Hotels are expected to continue refining their sustainability strategies by adopting more comprehensive measures that address these blind spots. This includes setting carbon standards for vendors, requiring emissions disclosures, and linking contract renewals to verified improvements. As the industry moves towards more sustainable practices, collaboration with suppliers and stakeholders will be key to achieving these goals. The focus on sustainability is likely to expand beyond visible measures, incorporating more holistic approaches that consider the entire lifecycle of products and services.
