5. a. Involving employees, guests, and partners in the assessment process

Engage internal and external stakeholders to gain valuable insights and foster collaboration. Involve employees, suppliers, customers, and local communities in sustainability initiatives, and communicate your progress transparently to build trust and support.

Exchange ideas with stakeholders regarding environmentally friendly company management, use your ‘green image’ for cooperation and marketing, build a large network and beneficial partnerships and initiate networking events and climate protection campaigns.

Employees should also be involved in the topic of sustainability. To this end, developments and progress made should be communicated regularly and suitable training and further education should be offered; individual employees can be nominated as CSR officers. Involving employees in decisions (e.g. rostering), surveying employee satisfaction, material/monetary incentives, establishing a company health management system (e.g. offering gymnastics, etc.) and showing appreciation are all part of sustainable management in the hotel industry.

The hotel’s commitment to sustainability should also be communicated to guests in order to sensitize them to the issue of sustainability. Create a mission statement that highlights the hotel’s sustainable initiatives and focus on sustainable communication (hotel website, social media campaigns, displays/certificates in the hotel, etc.). Offer climate-neutral stays, reward guests for not cleaning, offer waste separation in the hotel/room, change towels only at the guest’s request, etc.