News: Low Laundry Bills the Real Reason Behind Water Saving in Hotels
Issue 35 - Oct 2007

Facility Media, RFP Magazine and Hotel Designs have released the results of the Water Conservation in Hospitality Industries Survey, which revealed over half of hotel managers care more about reducing laundry bills than conserving water, according to the survey participants. The survey was held in conjunction with Facility Media’s Hospitality Space Asia Conference Series, where water conservation was raised during the panel discussion and the level of commitment of the hospitality industry to water conservation and reuse was tested. Through the online survey, hotel managers, owners and guests were asked about their feelings of the level of concern or attention paid by the industry. Results showed the conflicts and difficulties faced by hoteliers to conserve the environment on one hand, and to satisfy guest expectations of a luxurious lifestyle experience on the other. According to one survey participant, ‘Guests tend to leave behind their “home” attitudes and concerns when they check into a hotel.’ While 19 percent more people thought that water shortage concerns would replace concern about energy for hoteliers in the future, hotel managers’ intention to meet corporate social responsibility standards is still considered low. ‘More hotel management training on green environment is needed,’ said one respondent. Also, survey results showed that over half of the respondents don’t believe hotel managers care about the environment at all, with water conservation measures being merely an effort to save on laundry expenses. Indeed, ‘there are some “ecologically aware” points to be scored by hotels by pointing out to guests about their Green management, but how many guests are really interested?’ said John Purser, Managing Director of Dallmer Ltd. RFP.