The Sustainable Hotel: Designing for Well-being

March 1, 2023

Sustainable hotel is more than just a growing travel movement. It is also fast becoming a priority—and perhaps even a moral imperative—for hotel executives and hotels around the world to make decisions that are good for the hotel, as well as the community's well-being and the environment.

The Global Hotel Industry: Growth and Travel Trends

After the unprecedented travel restrictions imposed during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the global hotel industry is experiencing a revival. In 2022, the worldwide hotel sector is predicted to have a value of $300.30 billion[1]. By 2026, it is expected to have a market volume of US$485.00 billion, with an estimated annual growth rate (CAGR 2022-2026) of 12.73%^[1].

As countries continue to lift pandemic restrictions in 2022, this growth looks set to accelerate. Holidaymakers seeking to make up for lost time will increase hotel occupancy rates while also looking for more unconventional types of holidays.

Furthermore, with the rise of private home bookings via a range of digital platforms, such as Airbnb, hotels are going up against fierce competition to satisfy customer demand.

With a stronger focus on their overall experience, hotel guests today have higher standards, and the ever-changing environment of travellers has prompted numerous adjustments in the hospitality sector. And, many hotel companies are turning to eco-consciousness, well-being, local infusion, and smart-room technologies as part of their design strategies.

Let’s take a closer look.

Circular Economy: What, Why and How in Construction

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The Impact of Hospitality on the Environment

The Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership reports that tourism accounts for around 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. They predict that the sector’s emissions are on course to grow by 130% by 2035^[2]. Additionally, to align with the Paris Climate Agreement, the hotel industry will need to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions per room per year by 66% by 2030 and by 90% by 2050^[3].

The facts are indeed alarming, especially when considering the present and anticipated rates of expansion in the sector. At the current pace, more than 80,000 hotels will join the existing supply by 2050^[3].

The problem we face is not insignificant. How to boost the industry's growth, accommodate more guests while constructing more properties, yet lower the sector's carbon footprint?

The Importance Of Well-Being In Hotel Design

At the heart of these environmental challenges lies the hospitality industry's commitment to the community’s well-being.

Indeed, well-being has gone from a secondary concern to a core part of the tourism lexicon. Customers nowadays desire more than basic improvements in order to improve their well-being. Providing an additional yoga mat and a fruit platter in the guest room is simply not enough to satisfy guests' needs.

Representing a hybrid of “activity” holidays and wellness retreats, these trends offer new territory for the hospitality industry to explore. Well-being-focused tourism can have a broad range of positive outcomes.

How to Design a Sustainable Hotel Focusing on Well-Being

As the world works towards achieving net-zero emissions, the hotel industry is undergoing radical changes to play a role in this transformation. At the same time, the shift in travellers' behaviours offers an extra incentive for hotel construction companies to embrace sustainable solutions.

The Sustainable Travel Report for 2022 found that 81% of global travellers think sustainable travel is important[4]. 57% of those people said they would feel better staying in accommodation if it had a sustainable certification[4].

The hotel business has two incentives to change its methods. First, they must fulfill their climate mitigation obligations. Second, they must compete with the growing demand for well-being-focused vacations.

Designers are using space, light, and acoustics to foster well-being by crafting harmonious interior environments. Read on to discover how the hotel industry is creating sustainable spaces to meet the demand for well-being.

ES, Hotel El Llorenç Parc de la Mar, Palma de Mallorca, Pedro Rabassa, Leisure, Rockfon Mono Acoustic, TE-edge, 1800x1200, White, Hotels

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With the world opening up after the pandemic, this is an excellent time to plan a hotel renovation or a deep retrofit renovation.

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Adopting Biophilic Design

Nowadays, biophilic design is no longer an abstract idea but rather a practical approach for building sustainable spaces that are also beautiful. By incorporating organic and renewable features such as wood, water, natural light, and plants, biophilic design can help to enhance sustainability and infuse our buildings with a sense of well-being.

Combine the beauty of natural elements with Rockfon sound-absorbing panels made from stone wool, Rockfon® Lamella™ and Rockfon® Senses™ help create tranquil interiors that harken back to nature.

Maximising Natural Light

Nothing detracts from a calming mood more than harsh, artificial light, and our Rockfon tiles are designed to bring out the best ambiance possible from natural light sources. Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic and Rockfon Blanka®, for example, are two fantastic options. With high light reflection and diffusion properties, these products allow natural light to really bounce around and help maintain a positive mood in your hotel’s spaces.

Moreover, hotel owners can also benefit from reduced energy consumption since a ceiling with a light reflection of 87% can save up to 22.75% each year in energy savings.

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Combining Finest Local Produce and Seasonal Ingredients

Gastronomy is an integral part of the guest experience, and one trend that emphasises sustainability and well-being is the farm-to-table hotel. It offers a deeper connection to the local cuisine and to the surrounding environment.

People are seeking more local, genuine experiences, beginning with what they eat and moving on to greater scrutiny of the origin and procurement of their food. Hotels may use this to their advantage by adjusting their menus to offer more fresh foods that attract guests while eliminating waste. Apart from promoting healthy meals prepared with fresh, unprocessed produce, hotels can also help local farmers and partners.

Enhancing Acoustical Comfort

A quiet room is essential for everyone to get a good night's sleep, even when they're travelling. A quiet hotel room is important to 74 percent of 1,004 people, according to a survey^[5]. With a smooth and modern design, our high-performance acoustic solutions provide excellent sound absorption while also allowing you to freely design your own hotel space.

The sound absorption in the stone wool membrane in the acoustic ceiling or wall solution offers hotel travellers a restful space. This is because the disturbing noise is absorbed, instead of being heard by everyone.

Sources:

^{“Hotels - Worldwide | Statista Market Forecast.” n.d. Statista. https://www.statista.com/outlook/mmo/travel-tourism/hotels/worldwide.}
^{“Implications for Tourism Key Findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report.” n.d. https://www.cisl.cam.ac.uk/system/files/documents/IPCC_AR5__Implications_for_Tourism__Briefing__WEB_EN.pdf}
^{“Global Hotel Decarbonisation Report.” n.d. Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. https://sustainablehospitalityalliance.org/resource/global-hotel-decarbonisation-report/.}
^{“Sustainable Travel Report 2022” Booking.com https://globalnews.booking.com/download/1161485/booking.comsustainabletravelreport2022final.pdf.}
^{“Why and How to Reduce Noise in Hotel Rooms.” n.d. Www.rockwool.com. https://www.rockwool.com/group/advice-and-inspiration/blog/why-and-how-to-reduce-noise-in-hotel-rooms/}