Sustainable hotels: 12 hotels committed to protecting the environment and the community

Never before in the last two years have we used and heard the word sustainability: what seemed to be a fashion, now seems to be a lifestyle and also very cool. Even in the world of travel and holidays, we often hear about sustainability and more and more sustainable hotels and structures are investing resources to transform themselves. But it is not always clear what it means to be sustainable. Too often, again, we refer to “green” practices that are careful to safeguard the environment, such as the use of renewable sources for energy production or the elimination of single-use plastic, but as he explained to us Jeff Smith, Vice President Sustainability di Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, a luxury and sustainable 5-star hotel brand: «Sustainability is often misunderstood in the hotel community with being kind to the environment.

The textbook definition of sustainability, however, is another and it means meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy theirs (Brundtland, G.H. 1987. Our Common Future)».

For a hotel, therefore, it is not enough to eliminate plastic, although this is an important gesture; facilities must strive to provide guest experiences that do not impact the environment and local communities. For too many years, tourism has exploited the resources available in the various destinations, thinking only of travelers and not of those who live there “This means protect all natural and human resources, in the broadest sense of the term, and taking into account external factors such as supply chains, communities and wildlife. Because without these resources the hotel business cannot survive »continues Smith. Six Senses, for example, in addition to adopting good practice within the structure, finances local projects, specific to each location, but outside the hotels, such as by increasing populations of endangered monkeys (Pygathrix nigripes) in Vietnam and of iguanas (Brachylophus viteensis) in Fiji or by providing access to drinking water to communities in Cambodia, Thailand and Maldives ».

Being sustainable is a necessity and can no longer be postponed. It is good for everyone, as Smith explained to us in a dramatic episode: “TheBoracay island, in the Philippines, has been awarded from 2012 onwards as the best or among the best islands in the world. It was a tropical paradise island with dozens of luxury hotels providing thousands of jobs. But sustainability was not taken seriously and in 2018 the government was forced to close the island. The environment was so degraded that it could no longer sustain the human presence. Businesses have lost all income and the local population has lost their jobs. This same scenario is presenting itself in many other tourist destinations and must be avoided before it is too late. And if we think of planet Earth as a giant paradise island that sustains all human life, well, the implications are huge. Sustainability is a necessity and every community and every business sector has a role to play in protecting our future».

But we too, as travelers, must do our part by becoming more aware and responsible. Choosing how and where to travel and also where to sleep. We too can play a positive role in the transformation of tourism by choosing sustainable hotels, supporting their projects and supporting them.

We have selected twelve sustainable hotels in Italy and around the world that have chosen to take care of guests, the territory and the people who live there. Discover them in the gallery.