How Responsible Consumption is Transforming the Hotel Experience

As one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, responsible consumption and production is part of the global solution to building a greener and fairer world. And it's changing the way we do things – including travel. Less impact, more authentic experiences, sensible consumption: discover how to travel differently. Choosing a hotel that designs the guest experience around well-being, respect for resources and the local environment is a great place to start.

Travelling is all about discovering places, cultures and histories. And in doing so, we leave our footprint on the planet. Responsible consumption in the hotel industry aims to limit this impact, without sacrificing comfort or enjoyment.

How? By managing resources better: reducing waste, optimising water and energy, and striving to leave no trace. It means rethinking catering with a focus on local produce and adopting environmentally friendly practices. It's not so much a revolution, but an evolution of small actions that, when multiplied, can make a big difference.

Hotels are at the heart of the travel experience. They welcome, feed and lodge millions of people every day. And hotels with a high carbon footprint have a huge opportunity to make a difference.

More and more hotels are taking action, by introducing more energy-efficient facilities, better water management, and menus made from seasonal ingredients. These initiatives may not seem like much on their own – but collectively, they help a wider transformation gain traction.

Travellers’ expectations are changing. Guests are increasingly choosing to stay at hotels that clearly demonstrate an ethical commitment. The Green Key sustainability programme, for example, is a reliable and easily recognisable benchmark that you can trust, indicating that an establishment has a regularly monitored environmental approach.

Consuming more responsibly when travelling doesn’t have to be restrictive. It can also provide a way to enjoy a more authentic and culturally immersive experience in harmony with the environment.

Water and energy are precious resources. If you do your bit for the planet every day at home, you'll want to do the same when you’re away. Hotels are increasingly reconsidering the way they manage resources to avoid wastage without compromising on comfort.

Those cards in your room suggesting that you reuse towels and sheets? It’s a small thing to do, but significantly cuts down on water and detergents. Similarly, some hotels automatically adjust room temperatures based on occupancy.

Luxury hotel Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, on the shores of Lake Geneva, uses an innovative air-conditioning system that draws water from the lake to cool rooms before releasing it again. Gain: 60% less electricity per year!

The hotel has also optimised its lighting, with LED bulbs, motion sensors in corridors, and energy-efficient fixtures. All of which help to save energy without you having to think about it.

Food accounts for more than half of a hotel’s waste. To overcome this, some hotels have partnered with Too Good To Go, an app used to sell leftover food for a fraction of the regular price. Hôtel Mercure Marseille Canebière Vieux-Port uses the platform to sell food remaining on its breakfast buffet at a reduced rate.

Organic waste from Mercure Bordeaux Centre Gare Atlantic's Saint-Jean restaurant is collected and transformed into biofuel and organic compost for local farmers.

Plastic is also being phased out, with disposable water bottles being replaced by self-service fountains or glass containers at Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra and Sofitel Paris le Faubourg. In the bathroom, single-use toiletries are being ousted in favour of refillable dispensers. These changes have been brought about as people at every level of the tourism industry voice a desire for responsible consumption.

Food is an integral part of discovering new places. Eating local is not only more sustainable, it also provides a more immersive experience. Some hotels now source food from regional producers, simultaneously reducing the carbon footprint while treating you to a taste of the local flavours. As a consumer, you can also choose food from lower-impact sources, such as fish from certified fisheries, vegetables grown using sustainable methods, or biodynamic wines. What better way to indulge than with a clearer conscience?

Top tip: Changing your travel habits doesn’t mean changing everything. It simply means choosing more sustainable options when possible.

A trip is more than simply going somewhere. It's about immersing yourself in a place, understanding the local way of life, traditions and flavours. Doing this in a more responsible manner can lead to deeper insights and more memorable experiences.

The type of transport you choose can become a part of your holiday in its own right. Travelling by train, bike or boat lets you see the area from a different angle, taking in scenery you may otherwise miss. There’s a lot to be said for making trips less about speed and more about discovery.

Another dimension of authentic travel is meeting new people. Rather than ticking off a list of shops and sights, why not get a hands-on immersion at a workshop run by a local artisan? Talk to local growers, discover their expertise, taste specialties straight from the vine or the field. And instantly transform a simple activity into a lasting memory.

Choosing a hotel that cares about a responsible approach can mean enjoying a healthier, more pleasant environment. Many establishments offer relaxation areas in keeping with their surroundings, or bring greenery into the urban environment. A thriving oasis of lush gardens or a shady planted patio provides an uplifting space to relax and recharge.

In Poland, Mercure Katowice Centrum combines practicality with pleasure: an 18-metre-high planted façade improves the building's insulation, naturally cools the air inside and brings an attractive hub of greenery to the city centre.

Indulgence doesn’t have to cost the planet. Enjoy a responsible wellness experience with spa treatments inspired by nature and made with organic ingredients, local essential oils and innovative rituals. And from your treatment booth to your hotel room, you can count on high-quality air, natural materials and soft, soothing lighting. What’s not to love?

Eco-certified hotels are on the rise, making it easier than ever to align your values with responsible consumption when travelling. And we’re in it for the long haul – our hotels are increasingly implementing future-focused solutions powered by renewable energies. Sustainable travel is the way forward.