Going forward with giving back: 5 ways to help guests make a positive impact

Feeling good about your holiday now comes down to far more than bedding comfort and quality Instagram posts. For many guests, it’s also a matter of feeling their stay can provide a positive impact and provide benefits to the places they visit. They are making bookings based on the ability to give back as they globe-trot.

What is happening?

In response to conscious consumption, the accommodation sector focuses on local impact. This aligns with sustainability goals and consumer preferences. People are beginning to consider the consequences of their purchases, even holidays.

Accommodation providers are beginning to empower guests to make socially responsible choices. For example, many hotels in New Zealand are providing EV Charging Stations for their guests, our encouraging guests to reuse towels and bedding. But, it doesn’t have to stop there.

Travelers want guilt-free vacations. They seek personalised experiences to explore and give back. Balancing is vital, avoiding unintended consequences of “voluntourism.” Responsible organizations understand genuine impact versus superficial gestures.

The local approach has advantages. It offers authentic experiences, promotes local products, and provides community impact opportunities. Partnerships lead to reciprocal referrals. Supporting the local economy enhances destination appeal, while sustainability efforts create a greener community.

The accommodation sector’s shift towards community impact aligns with consumer values. It provides sustainable and authentic travel experiences. By enabling guests to stay at a hotel that makes a difference, in turn making a difference themselves, everybody wins.

What can I do to make a positive impact and inspire my guests?

Here are five ways your accommodation can make a positive impact on your community.

1. Find local organisations to support financially.

This is often be delivered through a portion of each guest’s accommodation payment. Having a range of local organisations to choose from at check-out gives guests a sense of ownership and pride.

2. Provide space for local artists within the hotel.

This could be by selling their wares at reception or in the gift shop, or by hanging their art in your rooms with an information card about where to find the artist. A sale price should even be provided should a guest want to purchase a specific work.

3. Watch your food miles.

Hotel kitchens should use local, sustainably sourced produce in their menus wherever possible. This supports local producers, gives a unique flavour for visitors to enjoy, and is also environmentally beneficial with less carbon expended on travel. Letting your guests know your restaurant is locally and sustainably sourced will make them feel more empowered when purchasing food.

4. Use your procurement power.

For products that need to be bought in bulk and are not produced locally, there are still ways to make an impact. One example is by procuring bedding from the DreamGreen range, which uses recycled plastic bottles to make soft, comfortable and sustainable duvet inners and pillows.

5. Provide real employment opportunities. Yes, most hotels employ local staff. However, one way to make a true, long-term impact is by providing training opportunities to allow staff members to advance their careers within your hotel. This will also bolster the local economy, helping everyone in the community.

A business does not stand alone within a community, and even those who are owned by international organisations should ensure they have a positive impact on the land they stand upon. This not only reflects the current trends for travellers around the world but will also help make the business more sustainable to protect our future.