HSMAI EUROPE LAUNCHES SUSTAINABILITY GUIDE FOR HOSPITALITY TO HELP TRAVEL, TOURISM AND HOTEL COMPANIES INITIATE POSITIVE CHANGE
Developed by senior industry leaders, the free-to-download e-book outlines a step-by-step action plan for organisations to implement sustainable initiatives, features best industry practices from the association’s members, and includes a ‘live’ worksheet to help teams get started
London, UK – November 22 2023: HSMAI Europe, the European arm of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), the industry’s leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable revenue growth globally, has launched a Sustainability Guide for Hospitality e-book, packed with tools, tips, and best practices to help travel, tourism and hotel companies make a positive impact on people, planet and profit.
A valuable toolkit for the entire industry, this comprehensive guide, available to download for free on the HSMAI Europe website, steers organisations through a step-by-step process to integrate sustainability initiatives and includes a live worksheet to help their teams get started.
An HSMAI Europe board of directors-led initiative, the e-book, developed by senior hospitality leaders from the association’s expert pan-European membership, includes best industry practices, with the aim of helping companies identify areas where they can make positive environmental, social and economic impact, providing practical examples and solutions to achieve these goals.
Targeting managers at organisations spanning hospitality firms of all sizes, from large hotel chains to individual hotels, plus cruise companies, and event and travel agencies, the guide also sets out why implementing sustainable practices is imperative for business, not only reducing costs and environmental impact, but enhancing the guest and employee experience.
With the HSMAI Europe board compelled to drive the industry’s sustainability agenda forward, democratising the guide is crucial, which is why the resource is not only free, but will later be published in several European languages to broaden usage and adoption.
“Sustainable tourism and hospitality is no longer negotiable; it’s essential for survival and success but knowing where to start can be challenging. With HSMAI Europe an
industry thought leader and its members some of the most senior and experienced professionals in the region, our board of directors believed it was our responsibility to share our knowledge, expertise and best practices to produce a resource supporting the entire sector,” said Ingunn Hofseth, President & CEO, HSMAI Region Europe.
“The e-book not only guides organisations on their journey to sustainability but highlights why it makes good business sense. Sustainability in the hospitality industry is not about costs that reduce profitability, but investments in the future that increase profitability. It’s not only ethical, but in the long term, lucrative too.”
In this vein, the Sustainability Guide for Hospitality starts by outlining why every travel, tourism and hospitality organisation should initiate sustainable practices, with reasons cited including: enhance the guest experience and attract new customers; reduce operational costs; attract and retain employees; contribute to community development; and of course, reduce environmental impact.
It then outlines in-depth, but practical and easy-to-follow details on how to get started, with comprehensive action plans spanning: how to involve your team, conduct an assessment, create your roadmap, measure and monitor progress and communicate your efforts. Alongside this, the HSMAI Sustainability Worksheet comes into play, with the downloadable resource helping organisations to launch efforts and stay on track.
Best practices provided by industry leading organisations are wide ranging, with contributors including Bellagroup, Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, Hurtigruten, GYRO AS, Strawberry (formerly Nordic Choice Hotels) and D2O. In addition, The Hotels Network offers top tips on communicating sustainability initiatives, showcasing successful campaign examples, while Beyond Green Travel explains how to avoid greenwashing through honesty, transparency and data-based evidence. We also want to say thank you to ESSEC Business School and VDR – Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement e.V. for their advice on this e- book.
Lastly, the guide suggests organisations seek recognition for their sustainability efforts to enhance their brand’s reputation among customers and employees. One way to achieve this is to submit a nomination for the HSMAI Europe Sustainability Award, a recent addition to the annual HSMAI Europe Awards, acknowledging the key environmental and social achievements of hospitality industries entities.
Applications are now open for the HSMAI Europe Sustainability Award with the awards ceremony taking place during HSMAI ROC, the association’s commercial conference, which will be staged at the InterContinental London Park Lane on Thursday January 18th, 2024.
To download your free copy of the Sustainability Guide for Hospitality e-book, click here
For more information on HSMAI Europe, including membership, activities, and resources, visit www.hsmai.eu or email postbox@hsmai.eu
About HSMAI Europe
HSMAI – Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International – is a global organisation founded in the US in 1927. HSMAI Region Europe is the European arm of the organisation. HSMAI Europe aims to be a key influencer, pioneer and the go-to industry resource for professional development, commercial strategies and sustainability in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry. www.hsmai.eu
