When it comes to hospitality, sustainability is not limited to any particular category of properties. It makes good business sense for all types of hotels to embrace it. More than that, it is about what we can do for the planet and people.
Premium resorts especially have a lot more at stake in this matter. Luxury and frugality can coexist, though this does not mean cutting corners for the sake of economic viability. One just has to ensure that providing unparalleled guest services does not drain natural or cultural resources.
While profitability and guest experience are the critical elements of a luxury hospitality business, luxury hotels can be sustainable without affecting the overall guest experience. Fortunately, hoteliers have always been a proactive bunch. Whether it is using traditional knowledge or cutting-edge research to identify the least impactful pathways, the industry continues to innovate solutions that can improve the quality of life of everyone involved.
KEEPING PACE
Considering the impact that luxury properties have on natural and cultural resources, undertaking sustainable measures is not just expected, but essential. This includes reducing the dependence on renewable energy or their overall plastic footprint.
Contemporary travellers are keen to make conscious choices in their journeys without foregoing any unique experiences. They seek luxury, but not at the cost of the planet’s welfare. This, in turn, places the onus on hoteliers to live up to their expectations without contributing to climate change or adversely distressing the local communities.
Nature-based and cultural tourism is the highlight of Sri Lanka and as such, guides our interpretation of
sustainability. Aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we believe in ‘leaving no one behind’.
People are the greatest asset of the hospitality industry – the staff we employ, the local communities we uplift and the lives we change. Intrinsically, it is prudent that sustainability goes beyond environmental protection and climate change management, to consider the entire ecosystem within which it functions, including people.
Climate change management or environmental protection is not easy to manage, especially in luxury hospitality. Nonetheless, it is crucial of the long-term survival of the industry as a whole.
