Can the hospitality industry become environmentally friendly

¶ … Hospitality Industry be Environmentally Friendly?

Studies have proved that companies and industries that have a negative impact on environment always surpass the industries that support and adopt measures for environmental friendliness. However, it doesn't mean at all that investment in environmental efforts be stopped. It is highly required by the industries to endeavor continuously for an enduring environment. Only then the greatest outcomes could be achieved. The industries that use wise strategies are aware of and completely understand the importance of sustainability as a 'designed production catalyst'. Such industries realize that the sustainability and ecological concerns are in fact opportunities that can be fruitful for a competitive future. Winslow's President, Jackson W. Robinson, acknowledged that "companies that take advantage of environmental opportunities can gain a competitive advantage over their peers through cost reductions, quality improvements, increased profitability and access to new and growing markets" (McPeak, Devirian & Seaman, 2010). In today's contemporary world, there is great emphasis put on environmental preservation. Thus, there is no other choice for the industries and companies other than considering and solving the environmental issues. Such consideration can be helpful for the industries to get valuable profits including future competitive advantages (McPeak et al., 2010).

The question arises that what is Environmental sustainability? It can be described as the outcome of using resources in such a way that they fulfill and satisfy the society's needs and requirements but are not damaged, worn-out or exhausted. These resources must be available to be used by the future generations as well. Our world is currently facing the environmental issues of waste management, water resource management, sustainability, recycling, use and efficiency of energy and other resources ("Current environmental issues").

In this essay, my purpose is to explain whether hospitality industry can be environmentally friendly or not? It is a known fact that tourism industry is growing incessantly day by day. About 35% of the global export services are represented by tourism. Some developing countries have their economy entirely dependent on tourism. Unluckily, despite of bringing enormous money to the country, the tourism industry also contributes to the damage of ecosystems and natural resources imperil. It also promotes practices of unsustainable utilization of resources. Thus, it is a high time for the hotel industry to realize and understand its responsibilities towards the environment and strive to trim down the environmental blow of international tourism (Zein et al., 2008).

Greener hotels can contribute very effectively for environmental sustainability as they are an integral part of the tourism industry. Tourists and guests at hotels have become more cognizant and mindful regarding the problems prevailing in the environment. People today have now begun to realize and understand the environment in the areas they select for staying in an unfamiliar area. The hospitality industry can make vital efforts to develop and promote best available measures using expertise and technology. This consciousness about environmental protection has helped the hotel management industry to set related policies for daily execution of services. In this view, hotel staff can be considered as 'key greening actors' (Zein et al., 2008).

The hospitality industry can help tremendously in achieving economic sustainability. If practices, for instance, renewable energy sources usage, waste diminution, recycling augmentation, products reuse and efficient water consumption are executed then there is no chance of any environmental depletion. Let's assess the ways by which hospitality industry can be environmentally friendly.

1. Waste should be managed with proper planning. It should be collected, transported, processed, recycled or disposed properly. The food and beverage sector must utilize and dispose food sensibly and dutifully. E-waste shall also be disposed responsibly by all sectors of the industry. Accommodation and F&B sectors of the industry must also adopt measures for water waste management ("Current environmental issues").

2. The hotel industry can also observe sustainable measures by reducing the use of energy. The simplest practice that a hotel can employ to go green is to just request the guest to turn off the lights or bulbs whenever they leave the room (Alexander, 2002). The use of energy sufficient lights is also a good way to go greener. It is a good practice to turn off the appliances when they are not in use to increase energy efficiency. Using solar or wind power can also be helpful in preserving environmental sustainability ("Current environmental issues").

3. Environmental sustainability can also be improved if the four simple steps of "reduce, re-use, recycle and treat waste" be followed by the hospitality industry. The usage of recyclable resources such as wood, glass, paper, plastic etc. can be really helpful for protecting the environment from hazardous dangers ("Current environmental issues").

4. If each area of the hotel is properly monitored by using technological innovations then it can reduce the wastage of all sorts. By using this system, the hotels can monitor and target the areas where water, solids or energy is wasted and can take steps accordingly (Alexander, 2002).

5. The installation of low flow shower heads/taps and dual flush toilet systems can also prove to be an important step towards saving water resources ("Current environmental issues").