Hospitality Think Tank

For episode #6 of Coffee Break with the Hospitality Think Tank, our Members are sharing their views on how to start the sustainability journey of your hotel.

The participants engaged in a detailed discussion about the intricacies of embarking on a sustainability journey in the hospitality industry, emphasizing the need to balance global goals with local needs, highlighting the time-consuming nature of the process and the importance of planning and knowing your local environment as there is no one-size-fits-all.

The discussion then moved on to sustainable hospitality development in resort vs urban environments, emphasizing the need to redirect the focus towards urban developments and regulate the flow of capital to favor rural areas. The participants discussed the need for regulatory frameworks to control the size, scale, and capacity of urban developments, as well as the redistribution of ownership to smaller entities. The meeting also touched on the challenges faced in establishing sustainable development baselines, using the Dominican Republic as a case study. The participants highlighted the lack of support for first-time developers and the preference for established brands by organizations offering incentives, underscoring the need for a more regulated and accessible process that aligns with global sustainability goals.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the challenges and practical considerations of implementing sustainability practices in the hotel industry. The participants emphasized the need for sustainability efforts at both governmental and local levels, citing the increasing number of cities promoting green initiatives. They also acknowledged the complexities of balancing sustainability with operational efficiency, recognizing the need for small, impactful changes while navigating certification requirements and global inconsistencies in sustainability standards.

The discussion also touched on the importance of tracking and understanding the impact of sustainability efforts, emphasizing the need for data to judge against and improve sustainability goals. Finally, the participants emphasized the opportunities for collaboration and innovation in response to consumer trends, highlighting the potential for suppliers and partners to respond to demands and contribute to value-added solutions in the industry.

Full conversation here:

With the participation of Hylton Lipkin (Banyan Tree), Chalana Perera (RETRACE Hospitality), Celine Vadam (WE(i) Think) and Santiago Ynigo (Salva)