When we travel, it's frequently the case that that we end up staying in a hotel at some point. How can we make the best decision about which hotel to stay in? Are there environmental considerations that can be used to weigh one option against another?

In the travel and tourism sector, the hotel and restaurant industries have significant environmental impact. Factors include not only where and how facilities are built, but also issues such as laundry, waste disposal, water use, cleaning products, energy conservation, food and menu choices, indoor air quality and employee transportation.

Ultimately, deciding what is the greenest option is a difficult question - and one which has no real simple answer. World-wide there are several programs which measure the "greenness" of hotels. However, there are no universal standards and most programs are voluntary. That means that some hotels might call themselves green even when they fall short in a number of important categories, and others which are highly eco-conscious may not register for certification.

How can you tell who is green?

After checking credible third-party references, your best bet is likely to call the hotel and ask directly what their policy is. If they are not thinking about environmental issues before, they will be after your call!

Here are some things you might want to consider when inquiring about a specific hotel's environmental commitment:

• Is the hotel in a certification program? If so, what was the hotel's score? How does the certification program rate hotels? Do they do an on-site audit or is the program voluntary?
• What is the hotel doing to reduce its energy, water and resource consumption?
• What types of products are sourced and where are they sourced from?
  What is their waste-reduction policy? How do they deal with hazardous waste?
• How is the hotel involved in the local community?

Choosing ecologically responsible accomodations can be a complex issue and a lot depends on whether you are travelling in Canada, the United States or abroad, and whether you are staying in cities or at eco-tourism destinations.

B&B vs. Hotels

Staying in a small locally-operated Bed and Breakfast rather than a large, international hotel chain is one option to think about when considering where to stay. A B&B may offer a better sense of the location. Plus you get to meet local people and learn things you might not otherwise hear about.

Hotels in Canada

The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) has a Green Key Eco-Rating Program. It's a graduated rating system designed to recognize hotels, motels, and resorts that are committed to improving their environmental performance. Based on the results of a comprehensive environmental audit, hoteliers are awarded a 1-5 Green Key Rating depending on their performance. They are then given guidance on opportunities to reduce operating costs and environmental impacts through reduced utility consumption, employee training, operaitonal changes and supply chain management. This program is voluntary and done as a self-administered audit, so how a hotel chooses to use the information and recommendations is up to them. For more information visit HAC Green Hotels.

International Travel

The Environmental Protection Agency in the United States has an energy-star certification program for the hospitality industry including hotels. This program focuses primarily on energy-efficiency and does not take into account other environmental impacts.

Sustainable Travel International

Rainforest Alliance

International EcoTourism Society

Environmental Impacts of Tourism (Power Point presentation from the UK) 

How Green is My Hotel?

Energy Star for the Hospitality Industry