Over the last decade, it's become clear that hotel guests want to book rooms with properties that hold the same values they do and as more people become aware of environmental concerns, they're pledging to live greener and minimize their carbon footprint.

Hotels that have shifted to more sustainable business models have seen increased revenue and better guest reviews.

Here's how to balance sustainability with profitability to achieve more success. Natural elements will help the environment and encourage green changes throughout the hospitality industry.

1. Start With Small Changes

Overturning an entire property to start from scratch with green alternatives is a massive disruption to business and forces staff to learn a new way to work seemingly overnight. It's easier for everyone to start with small changes, especially those that give guests the power to make a difference.

Encourage visitors to use less water with simple signs on bathroom counters. Ask them to reuse towels to reduce water and energy usage in the laundry facilities. When more guests start to participate, they'll minimize the natural resources needed to run the property and appreciate how they've helped make a difference.

2. Schedule an Energy Audit

Hotels need multiple systems to keep everything functioning, which involves different machinery that all rely on electricity. It's difficult to tell how to cut down on energy usage just by looking at the monthly power bill. Hoteliers can schedule an energy audit to figure out which systems demand the most electricity.

After reviewing the audit, management can take a systems inventory and replace older machines with new energy-efficient models. It also allows for benchmarking, so there's always progress happening on the property.

3. Investigate All-Natural Cleaning Options

Another way to manage sustainable efforts with profitability is to investigate all-natural cleaning options. Chemical products like traditional bathroom cleaners and laundry detergents add to local pollution by creating gases and draining into nearby waterways.

All-natural solutions won't hurt the environment and still get the job done, without cutting into profits.

4. Use Locally Sourced Materials

When installing furniture and flooring, hoteliers can use locally sourced materials like wood or steel. It's easier on the environment to not rely on unsustainable businesses that use more natural resources than necessary. Instead, hotel management can support local companies. Eco-friendly materials can be used to build more creative pieces, like custom conference tables or flooring that attract more guests.

5. Make the Brand Image Green

Part of using sustainability to increase revenue means marketing it well. Combine green efforts with the hotel's brand image so guests recognize sustainable efforts right away. When they see a company name, they should remember seeing your environmental pledges and eco-friendly business methods on your website, commercials or online ads.

Build on Sustainable Efforts

Guests know that lasting change happens when major brands commit to their eco-friendly efforts long term. Start with small initiatives, like looking into locally sourced materials or minimizing water usage so there's room to grow. Annual revenue will continue to increase as more guests rely on a hotel's permanent, sustainable business model to stay green while they're away from home.

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Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more!

www.driftercollective.com