This text is part of the special Business Tourism booklet
As part of their efforts to reduce their ecological footprint, companies are also calculating the impacts of their business travel and looking for greener and carbon neutral hotel services. To meet this demand, hotels are changing and multiplying initiatives favorable to the environment.
By nature, hotels spend a lot of energy and resources. Just think of the millions of towels that need to be washed every day, or the little bottles of shampoo and other products thrown away after just one use.
However, for several years, the hotel industry has made considerable efforts to improve its balance sheet. Architecture, energy management, waste, recycling, laundry, hygiene products: all the elements likely to increase the environmental balance of hotels are taken into account to reduce the ecological footprint of those who want to be eco-responsible.
By making information available about the various measures taken in favor of the planet, hotels demonstrate their eco-responsibility, but also try to attract customers who take this into account when it comes time to choose an establishment for their next vacation. business or their congress.
Indeed, eco-responsibility represents a growing criterion of choice when booking a room. According to a survey by the Hilton chain, a third of guests research the social and environmental practices of hotels before booking, and this proportion rises to 44% for guests under 25 years old.
Le Germain Hotels
The Quebec chain, which has hotels in several cities, bases its practices on three pillars: local sourcing, sustainable projects and community spirit.
At the Hôtel & Spa Le Germain Charlevoix, in particular, a 7,000 square meter garden made it possible to harvest 5,705 kg of vegetables and fruit last year, which largely met the chef’s needs.
In terms of sustainable projects, the chain is on the lookout for new construction, renovation and design technologies in order to reduce its impact, says Camille Asselin, public relations and partnerships coordinator. With regard to community spirit, it is a question of participating in the economic development of the localities where its hotels are located and of getting involved with local organizations.
In terms of energy, 12 of the chain’s hotels use geothermal energy. Geothermal energy allows these hotels to be virtually self-sufficient in heating and cooling. For its rooms, the company uses Canadian suppliers for its mattresses, with Literie Laurier, its sheets, with Textiles Gauvin, and its duvets and pillows, with Marie l’Oie.
Hotel Humaniti Montreal
The Hotel Humaniti Montreal was built to meet LEED criteria, for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a North American standardization system that awards certifications for green buildings.
In concrete terms, the 193-room establishment located not far from the Palais des congrès de Montréal has, among other things, charging stations for electric cars and bicycles for its residents, applies sustainable food practices in its restaurant and has ventilation systems designed to remove contaminants. Additionally, its spa offers all-natural and eco-friendly skincare products, organic aromatherapy products, and vegan nail and pedicure products.
Hotel Chateau Laurier
In Quebec, the Hotel Château Laurier is recognized as a leader in environmental practices. The establishment has even coined a new term: eco-franco-responsibility. This is a commitment to promote the French language in all its forms, which comes on top of its environmental commitment.
Among the eco-responsible measures aimed at business meetings, the hotel offers a long list of actions to help its customers organize zero waste events. These actions range from the removal of individual formats for food and beverages, to the possibility of participating financially in a wildlife conservation project by making a donation, to buying local and organic food.
In terms of events, the Château Laurier offers ecological packages for business meetings, an eco-responsible gourmet table, and donates its furniture, bedding supplies and other used equipment to local organizations, such as Maison Lauberivière and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the To have to, pertaining to marketing. The drafting of To have to did not take part.