Sustainability is a rapidly growing trend in the hospitality industry, and in the past decade the events sector - particularly hotels and venues - is witnessing a significant shift towards sustainable practices, as travelers’ expectations grow and governments worldwide introduce ambitious emission reduction targets.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how hotels and venues can leverage sustainable food practices to capitalize on this growing trend and unlock a host of benefits.
The rise of sustainable events
The demand for sustainable events is on the rise, as market leaders like Accor and Hilton are setting a new standard with their commitments to host climate-friendly events and conferences. In this scenario, attendees and organizers are increasingly prioritizing eco-friendly options. Hotels and venues that align with these values can position themselves as leaders in the market, attracting a new generation of environmentally conscious guests.
One of the most impactful ways hotels and venues can embrace sustainability is through their food offerings. Sustainable food practices encompass a wide range of initiatives, from sourcing ingredients seasonally to minimizing food waste and adopting plant-forward menus.
While this all might sound like a lot of work, there’s a wide host of benefits in it for hospitality professionals to reap. Here’s how these practices can benefit both the environment and your business.
Enhance Brand Image and Reputation
By committing to sustainable food practices, hotels and venues can significantly enhance their brand image and leverage sustainability in their marketing. Modern consumers are more likely to support businesses that demonstrate a genuine commitment to sustainability, which is why showcasing your efforts through marketing and communication channels can attract environmentally conscious clients and guests, setting you apart from competitors.
Meet Client Demands
Many event organizers - especially in the corporate world - are now specifically seeking venues that offer sustainable options. By providing a range of eco-friendly food choices, you can meet the demands of this growing market segment. This not only increases your booking potential but also allows you to cater to high-profile events that prioritize sustainability.
Reduce Costs and Increase Efficiency
Implementing sustainable food practices can lead to significant cost savings. For instance, sourcing local ingredients - but only if they are also seasonal! - reduces transportation costs and supports the local economy. Additionally, strategies to minimize food waste, such as portion control and composting, can lower disposal costs and enhance operational efficiency. Over time, these savings can add up to substantially affect your bottom line, while at the same time boosting your sustainability score.
Attract and Retain Talent
Employees today are increasingly looking to work for companies that align with their values and lifestyles. By prioritizing sustainability, you can attract and retain top talents who are passionate about making a positive impact. A committed and motivated workforce can drive innovation and contribute to the overall success of your business and customer satisfaction.
Future-Proof Your Business
As regulations around sustainability become more stringent, adopting sustainable practices now can help future-proof your business. Staying ahead of regulatory changes ensures compliance and reduces the risk of potential fines or penalties in the future. It also positions your business as a proactive leader in the industry, ready to adapt to evolving standards and be a sustainability trailblazer.
So, how do you do it?
To truly capitalize on the trend of sustainable events, hotels, and venues must take concrete steps to include sustainability at all stages of their events’ organization. Here are some actionable, effective strategies:
- Source Locally and Seasonally: Partnering with local farmers and producers to source fresh, seasonal ingredients has the dual benefit of reducing your carbon footprint while at the same time supporting the local economy.
- Minimize Food Waste: Sometimes sustainability can be as simple as accurate portioning, repurposing leftovers, and composting. Educate staff and guests on the importance of reducing waste!
- Offer Plant-Based Options: Incorporating more plant-based dishes into your menus or making climate-smart ingredient swaps can have a huge effect on your menu’s emissions, as animal products such as red meat or dairy are usually the biggest emitters on the plate.
- Use Eco-Friendly Packaging: Choosing biodegradable or reusable packaging for food items and avoiding single-use plastics - encouraging guests to do the same - can be a simple yet effective strategy to lower your events’ impact.
- Educate and Engage: Engaging guests and staff by hosting workshops or events on food sustainability is a powerful tool to create behavioral change and get them involved in your journey towards more sustainable practices.
How can Klimato help?
One of the golden rules we follow at Klimato is that you can’t reduce what you don’t measure. This is why using sector-specific tools can dramatically reduce the burden of tracking and reporting emissions for hospitality businesses. For food data, Klimato deals with all the complex challenges - so you don’t have to.
We support hospitality businesses and venues with carbon accounting and sustainability reporting, helping you reduce emissions as well as costs by adjusting your food offering, improving resource efficiency, and leveraging sustainability in your marketing and communications.
Conclusions
The trend towards sustainable events is here to stay, and hotels and venues have a crucial opportunity to lead the charge. At Klimato, we’re committed to helping you achieve these goals through tailored, industry-focused sustainability services.
By implementing these strategies, hotels, and venues can not only do their part in protecting the environment but also enjoy a range of business advantages. Sustainability is a powerful tool for growth, and now is the perfect time to leverage it!
