8.1. Added Value: Advantages of Being Environmentally-Friendly
Being environmentally friendly differs from complying with requirements of eco-accommodation
or taking active steps towards protection of the environment. It is easier to become
environmentally friendly, since you are free to choose the measures that are most
beneficial and profitable for your business.
There are 4 main reasons that make it worth considering starting environmentally
friendly accommodation, and these are the following:
- Environmentally friendly accommodation appeals to a new and growing market.
Visitors in the EU are becoming more environmentally aware, and this will influence
their holiday choice more and more in the future. Choosing the measures most favourable
for your case, you appeal to a specific group of eco-tourists in addition to other
groups (e.g., adventure or active family markets).
- The tourism industry uniquely depends on the local environment – attractiveness
of the site and the building. Visitors choose to spend their leisure time in a place
that they find most appealing. Taking some environmental actions helps keep attractiveness
and quality of the area where your accommodation is situated.
- Many environmental measures (limited use of chemicals and hazardous materials in
the building, vegetarian cuisine, non-smoker rooms, etc.) contribute to health and
comfort maximization of your clients. This gives your business a quality,
caring image, attracting the guests by attention paid to their needs and interests.
- Rational use of resources (energy, water) contributes to saving your money by
cutting your running costs. With decreased water consumption and especially
lower heating requirements you will see many of your bills amounts decreased. The
measures proposed in the section do not cost a lot and mostly involve choosing alternatives
to the expenses you would have to make anyway.
