Kathleen Rogers’ Post

What Does It Mean to Be a Certified "Ocean Friendly" Hotel? A lot, for the future of travel, and our planet!! Read my latest for Thrillist, and learn about The Surfrider Foundation's "Ocean Friendly restaurant and hotels" certification programs -- which honor some exceptionally "green" tourism businesses (like The Ranch at Laguna Beach -- CA's first certified hotel), working toward implementing a series of simple practices that protect our world’s fragile ecosystems. The Surfrider Foundation is a respected non-profit environmental organization that works to protect and preserve the world's oceans, waves and beaches. They're constantly adding more hotels and restaurants that meet the criteria to the list. The ultimate goal is to inspire other restaurants, hotels and resorts to implement these practices and follow suit... and you can learn more here: #sustainability #tourism #sustainabletourism #travel #hospitality #ocean #california #environmentallyfriendlytravel #surfriderfoundation #SoCal #sustainabletravel https://lnkd.in/eG6QSbfy

Travel and sustainability often seem like they don't go hand-in-hand, but Iberostar Group proves that sustainable travel is possible! During my recent stay in Palma de Mallorca, I was happy to find out that... ✅ Iberostar has cut down on single-use plastics. I particularly loved the refillable water bottle at the room! ✅ The hotel runs on renewable energy ✅ Almost 100% of seafood is responsibly sourced ✅ Iberostar partnered with Winnow to reduce food waste with the help of technology ✅ Many of the dishes served at the buffet were "accidentally vegan" by simply replacing butter or milk with a plant-based option ✅ The BBQ area always included a few grilled vegetables and not just meat! ✅ You could find an impressive variety of fruits, legumes and nuts at the buffet This example shows that the travel industry is entering a new paradigm, that operates in harmony with local communities and the environment 💚 With food being a central part of many hotels (specially all-included resorts like this one!), focusing on sourcing from ecological food production such as regenerative or agroecological agriculture, reducing meat consumption and food waste are key to contributing to the transformation of our global food systems! At the end of the day, with an estimated 187,000 hotels and 17.5 million rooms worldwide, millions of people eat at hotels every day! #Sustainability #Hospitality #Travel #FoodWaste #Food #Hotel #PlantBased

What's on the blog 📖 Eco Green Straws are a hospitality game-changer! 🍹😄 Read more below: https://lnkd.in/d3Uu9PGn #blog #ecogreenstraws #goinggreen #naturaldrinkingstraws #drinkingstraws #plasticfree #cocktailstraws

In the hotel world, we are well used to seeing the word, sustainability, often mentioned to describe aspects of a property, and unfortunately not always deservedly. With today being Sustainable Gastronomy Day, a special mention to the hotel, that always comes to mind, when pondering this term. Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang is a haven for preservation and regenerative detail, from a century-old farmhouse to onsite rice production. As of 2023, 70% of the hotels food is locally sourced, with an emphasis on local vegetables. Rice is grown on the paddy field which is located at the heart of Phum Baitang, with a variety of vegetables and herbs also grown onsite. Lemongrass is picked and used for the hotel straws. Importantly, 90% of food waste is recycled and 10% composted. #SustainableGastronomyDay #ZannierHotels #SiemReap UN Tourism UNESCO

A #Sustainable Retreat Château de Vignée The hospitality industry is undergoing a significant transformation as it embraces #sustainability.  #ChâteaudeVignée, with its rich history and #luxurious ambiance, has successfully integrated sustainability into its operations. #Hotels for Trees Program One of the standout initiatives is the 'Hotels for #Trees' program. This innovative program supports #reforestation efforts by planting a new tree every time a guest opts to skip room cleaning. This simple yet impactful choice helps reduce the hotel's environmental footprint by decreasing the use of cleaning products, water, and energy associated with daily room maintenance. Additionally, it contributes to global reforestation, which is crucial for combating climate change and preserving biodiversity. #Energy Efficiency The hotel has installed advanced energy management systems to monitor and control the consumption of electricity, heating, and cooling.  Energy-efficient LED lighting is used throughout the property, and guest rooms feature smart thermostats that adjust temperatures based on occupancy. #Water Conservation The hotel uses a variety of water-saving technologies, including low-flow faucets and shower heads, dual-flush toilets. #Waste Reduction and Recycling Waste is sorted into various categories—organic, recyclable, and non-recyclable—to ensure proper disposal and maximum recycling. Organic waste is composted and used to enrich the gardens surrounding the property. Additionally, the hotel has eliminated single-use plastics, opting for reusable or biodegradable alternatives. #Sustainable Sourcing The hotel prioritizes local and organic products for its restaurant, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation and supporting local farmers and producers. The kitchen uses seasonal ingredients to prepare gourmet dishes, ensuring freshness and reducing food waste. #Honey Production The Hotel also produces its own honey, considered the most environmentally friendly and ethically responsible sweetener. The hotel's beekeeper practices sustainable beekeeping, which is vital for maintaining bee populations and preserving natural ecosystems. The bees play a crucial role in pollinating the surrounding flora, supporting local biodiversity. #Guest #Engagement and #Education Château de Vignée actively engages guests in its green initiatives. Informational materials are provided in guest rooms to educate visitors on the importance of sustainability and encourage them to participate in eco-friendly practices during their stay.  The hotel organizes nature walks and educational tours to raise awareness about the importance of conservation. Château de Vignée exemplifies how luxury and sustainability can coexist harmoniously in the hotel industry. As more hotels adopt similar practices, the hospitality industry can play a pivotal role in promoting sustainability and protecting the environment for future generations. Elodie François

Sustainability is taking center stage in kitchens, menus and our local communities. This Forbes article depicts how. 1. Ethical sourcing. 2. Farm-to-table practices.  3. Locally sourced ingredients. 4. Reducing waste.  5. Seasonal menu items. Towards a more sustainable planet 🌿 #sustainability #trends2024 #foodtrends #travel #research

"Farm-to-table restaurants, sustainable food tours and promotion of local food systems took a back seat as the tourism industry struggled to recover from the pandemic. But experts say 2024 could be the year that sustainable food becomes a major factor in tourism. Nearly 8 out of 10 respondents (79%) to a study by Harris Interactive and food service management company Sodexo say they believe that adopting more sustainable behaviors is an "urgent" matter." ➡️ Read more from Forbes here: https://lnkd.in/eZbTcb4e #sustainability #foodtrends #marketresearch | Toluna

Did you know how magical coconuts can be? From coconut sugar to eco-friendly cutlery, this versatile fruit is making waves in sustainable living and culinary delights✨ Read more 🔗https://lnkd.in/dX6vNqBv Which one are you trying first? #WorldCoconutDay #CoconutLove #SustainableLiving #EcoFriendly #Villagesquare

Fantastic to meet with Michelle Geale from Scenic Hotel Group at #AIME2024. It’s always refreshing to meet with #hotels and resorts who walk the walk when it comes to #sustainability. Not only are Scenic Group Toitū Envirocare Carbon Reduce Certified, but they’ve achieving real and measurable Carbon Reduction outcomes year on year. ✅ Reduced Carbon Dioxide emissions by 15% per room sold ✅ Reduced water consumption by 33% – down to 252 litres per room sold ✅ Diverted up to 26.5% of waste from landfill ✅ 426 native trees planted in 2022 [2022 vs 2021 data]. In addition, their Home Grown program supports local farmers, producers, and suppliers with seasonal menus, plant based foods, 0% regional wines and locally sourced eco-farm botanicals. With 8 Scenic and Heartland Hotels across New Zealand and the South Pacific we’re excited at the opportunities to bring this unique hospitality experience to our clients. “Not only best in the world but best for the world”. #sustainablebusiness #sustainableevents #MICEindustry #businessevents #eventprofs Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) | Third Era Sustainability Consulting Angel Food | Giesen Group Limited | Matakana Botanicals

Green hospitality: Beyond sustainability to net positivity After a period of harvesting low-hanging fruit, hospitality groups are increasingly looking for more innovative and meaningful ways to implement, measure, and communicate their sustainability practices. In the F&B industry, local sourcing has become standard in many outlets. However, it has now started to scale up more by offering better traceability of products (e.g., The Europe Hotel in Ireland has its farm with livestock, fish, and produce). In addition, guests are increasingly being educated on sustainable practices, e.g., cooking classes on how to use the entire ingredients and avoid food waste. It is no longer about doing good but rather showing customers how to do good. Hospitality groups are also increasingly adopting sustainable building techniques and are generally trying to adopt a 360-degree strategy that allows them to be sustainable from the first brick up to the operation (e.g., the Beyond Now Network where industry experts have joined forces to transform hospitality businesses into environmentally friendly, efficient and profitable enterprises). Some are going even further, not content with being net zero but aiming to become net positive, exemplified by ‘regenerative tourism’ practices. What's your say? #responsibleluxury #travelwithcause #zerocarbonfootprint