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Section 8: Environmentally Friendly Accommodation

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:

  1. 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).
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
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