Transforming the Hospitality Industry: Building Sustainable Hotels and Resorts with the Power of SDGs 🌍🏨

What if the hotel you checked into today could help save the planet tomorrow? By embracing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), innovative hotel developers are creating properties that not only provide exceptional guest experiences but also contribute to a sustainable future. These groundbreaking hotels are proving that sustainable hospitality is not only necessary but also makes good business sense.

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” — Robert Swan, OBE, environmentalist and explorer

According to the World Tourism Organization, the tourism industry accounts for 10% of the global GDP and is responsible for 1 in 10 jobs worldwide. The total number of foreign visitors who entered the country in 2019 rose by 4% to 1.5 billion. Sustainability is a major concern because the hotel sector contributes 1% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

All UN Member States adopted the SDGs in 2015 to address pressing issues like poverty, inequality, and climate change. Hotel developers are considering how they can support SDGs like Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), which focuses on sustainable resource management, and Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), which aims to increase renewable energy.

The Dovetail Hotel in Texas, for instance, was planned and constructed to the highest sustainability standards. It has generated zero waste since opening in 2018, thanks to extensive recycling and composting programs. Leftover soap and amenities are donated to local charities. An on-site garden supplies ingredients for the restaurant. “We believe hospitality can be restorative rather than extractive,” says co-owner Jeff Kaplan.

In the Maldives, Soneva Fushi pioneered the concept of barefoot luxury and has been a leader in eco-friendly practices from the start. Nearly all waste is recycled, and renewable energy from solar panels powers the entire resort. Reef-safe sunscreens are provided to guests to protect delicate marine ecosystems. Co-owner Sonu Shivdasani says, “We wanted to create a space where people can reconnect with the natural world and themselves.”

The business case for sustainable hotels is compelling. Energy efficient upgrades can reduce costs by 20–30% or more while enhancing guest comfort. Eco-friendly brands also attract environmentally conscious travelers and inspire loyalty. According to Booking.com, 65% of global tourists say sustainable travel is important to them.

There has never been a better time to embrace sustainability in hospitality. By aligning with the SDGs, hotel developers are creating the properties of the future: green, innovative, and socially impactful. Every step taken toward sustainability helps secure the wellbeing of our shared planet. The future of travel and the places we call home depend on the actions we take today. Collectively, we can transform the hospitality industry through the vision of the SDGs and the passion of changemakers around the world.

What sustainable steps will you take today? The planet awaits your answer. 🌎. Subscribe to the Sustainable Investing Digest by clicking this link: Subscribe on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7053058780464345088.