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Wondering where to start? What makes the biggest difference — for your guests, your hotel, etc.?

We've compiled 284 clear, practical action steps across all areas of hotel sustainability to help you elevate your hotel's sustainability efforts — saving you valuable time and effort.

At MAp, we know that sustainable practices don’t have to be daunting or unattainable. This guide aims to demystify sustainability by offering practical, actionable steps that any hotel can implement – in a helpful checklist format and with straightforward solutions.

#onwards, let's start your sustainability journey!

284

Action Steps

12

Best practices

500+

Community members

Clear instructions, practical checklists, inspiring examples and much more...

284 clear and concrete measures that you can implement NOW in your hotel and much MORE value are waiting for you.

Your Hotel Sustainability Action Plan – by MAp Boutique Consultancy

What is included in this practical guide to sustainability in the hotel industry?

284 clear and practical action steps in checklist format to implement NOW and start saving time and money
Practice-orientated explanation of the three pillars of sustainability: social sustainability, ecological sustainability and economic sustainability; and what it means for your hotel
Best practice examples from the world’s top sustainable hotels and brands
External resources that offer additional guidance and support
Detailed steps and clear guidance to start your sustainability journey NOW and/or generate new ideas and inspiration

What People say about The Sustainable Hotel

MAp Boutique Consultancy - The Sustainable Hotel

“

The Planet handbook (by the way, my personal favorite) provides easily-understandable yet practical steps to save energy and water in general. The handbook helped me shape communication with our guests to motivate them to minimise their personal ecological footprint. The "Waste Action Plan" in the handbook helped me adapt our culinary offerings to minimise overall waste (food, packaging, plastics).

In terms of sustainability, the hotel industry faced a significant challenge, particularly in the areas of energy and water consumption. Hotels often consume large amounts of energy for lighting, heating, cooling, and operating facilities like swimming pools and spas. This leads to substantial greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.

One personally significant ethical concern that also affected our hotel group was waste management. It was painful to observe how much waste a hotel generates, from packaging to food. No matter how well-designed it is, a buffet will always result in a certain amount of food waste.

The Planet handbook (by the way, my personal favorite) provides easily-understandable yet practical steps to save energy and water in general. The handbook encouraged me to seek technological support in South Tyrol, so I reached out to myGekko, a company from Bruneck that optimizes energy consumption using AI and other technologies.

The handbook also helped me shape communication with our guests to motivate them to minimise their personal ecological footprint. Saving a towel when washing or understanding that the sauna starts two hours later can have a significant impact when thousands of guests visit every month.

The "Waste Action Plan" in the handbook helped me adapt our culinary offerings to minimise overall waste (food, packaging, plastics). We eliminated the bi-weekly evening buffets in the hotels, and the breakfast buffet now only includes products that can be cleverly reused. All hot dishes are now prepared à la minute. Although we are not completely "zero waste" yet, as some adjustments are still needed in South Tyrol, we are definitely on the right path.

In conclusion, I must honestly say that we do not yet have the means to measure our ecological footprint or exact savings accurately. However, when it comes to electricity and water, simply looking at the bills shows an average savings of about 12% compared to the previous year. The almost daily trips to the recycling center have now been reduced to just two times per week. Overall, some noticeable changes have already occurred with open eyes. But most importantly, since the introduction of The Sustainable Hotel Handbook, I am proud of the willingness of our staff and guests to drive sustainability forward and to realise that each individual can make a difference.

THOMAS KERSCHBAUMER, HEAD OF BUSINESS UNIT HOTEL & GASTRO, SENFTER HOLDING (SOUTH TYROL/ITALY)

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The Sustainable Hotel platform stands as an indispensable ally in our professional toolkit at Sainha, thanks to its rich library of insightful and actionable guides, and handbooks.

Whether it is about minimizing carbon footprint or waste, embracing circular economy principles, or optimizing supply chains for sustainability, The Sustainable Hotel unravels the intricate complexities in a refreshingly simple manner.

JEREMY TRAN, FOUNDER OF SAINHA

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What I particularly appreciated was the way the content was presented. The diversity of formats, including checklists, interviews, and success stories, made the content very accessible and engaging. The visual design of the handbook, featuring images and quotes, also contributed to my enjoyment of reading it. Overall, I can wholeheartedly recommend The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: People.

Unfortunately, the available literature on sustainability in the hotel industry was quite limited, but I was happy to find that The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: People proved to be a highly-valuable resource.

The handbook lists the various hotel stakeholder groups separately and provides deep insights into each one. Additionally, it elucidates the needs of these stakeholders and how hotels can fulfill them in a sustainable manner. Furthermore, I was able to learn more about the subject through Tatjana's success story and interview, gaining intriguing insights.

What I particularly appreciated was the way the content was presented. The diversity of formats, including checklists, interviews, and success stories, made the content very accessible and engaging. The visual design of the handbook, featuring images and quotes, also contributed to my enjoyment of reading it. Overall, I can wholeheartedly recommend The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: People. It not only provides a comprehensive approach to the topic of social sustainability in the hotel industry but also serves as a helpful resource for students like me who are exploring this subject.

LUISE WEINERT, BACHELOR'S STUDENT AT FHGR CHUR (CHUR/SWITZERLAND)

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Defining our own purpose, our own identity, is a challenge, but it makes our story tangible, credible, simplifies many things, and helps us use financial and personal resources wisely and purposefully. The Purpose handbook helps us tackle this challenge step-by-step, and starting with our own motivation is powerful.

I consider the ability to shape our environment and tell a story as a special gift. Especially in the hospitality industry, we must harness it. Defining our own purpose, our own identity, is a challenge, but it makes our story tangible, credible, simplifies many things, and helps us use financial and personal resources wisely and purposefully.

The Purpose handbook helps us tackle this challenge step-by-step, and starting with our own motivation is powerful. Purpose, a guiding principle that directs our decisions and actions throughout the entire customer journey.

LILIAN ROTEN, FOUNDER OF DESIGN JOURNEY AND HOTEL DE LONDRES IN BRIG (SWITZERLAND)

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"Sustainability" was not tangible for me - it was always distant, and I didn't know how to efficiently implement sustainability into my hotel. The Sustainable Hotel opened up a new world for me, and with each handbook, I understood more about what I can successfully implement step-by-step and what truly makes a difference. Because it's of no use to talk about Mount Everest if you can't manage to climb the first hill.

"Sustainability" was not tangible for me - it was always distant, and I didn't know how to efficiently implement sustainability into my hotel. Just by reading the introduction to the handbook collection, which provides a clear definition (What is sustainability? What is a sustainable hotel? What does it mean for me?) and a clear breakdown of sustainability areas, sustainability became tangible.

I am a technician, a practitioner, and this clear division has helped me immensely. It opened up a new world for me, and with each handbook, I understood more about what I can successfully implement step-by-step and what truly makes a difference. Because it's of no use to talk about Mount Everest if you can't manage to climb the first hill.

RENATO BOTTE, OWNER OF LOCANDA MISTRAL (PIEDMONT/ITALY)

MAp Boutique Consultancy The Sustainable Hotel Mich Bondesio

“

The Sustainable Hotel Handbook - Collection is an exceptional and timely resource to help hotels align their business goals with a triple bottom line that supports people, purpose, and most importantly, the planet.

Each beautifully-designed guide in the collection is jam-packed with helpful educational info, visual references, and relevant prompts to help you develop a more sustainable business model step-by-step.

With the environmental challenges we face, this responsible approach to doing business is now non-negotiable, and I’m encouraged to see such a valuable and innovative resource and service being offered to the hotel industry by MAp Boutique Consultancy. Investing in these guides and implementing the recommended systems and practices will not only differentiate your hotel business, but enable it to thrive, too.

MICH BONDESIO, AUTHOR, COACH & BUSINESS CONSULTANT, CREATING CADENCE (UNITED KINGDOM)

“

The Sustainable Hotel Handbooks are very user-friendly and therefore perfect for entrepreneurs looking to facilitate their entry into sustainable tourism development. I view it as a well-structured, comprehensive, and visually-appealing guide.

Particularly valuable are the numerous practical tips, concrete action steps, and expert interviews. This adds an additional layer of depth to the information and facilitates direct applicability.

HEIDRUN STOISER, LEAD GREEN EXPERIENCES AT PIZ (MONTAFON / AUSTRIA)

What makes this practical Hotel Sustainability Action Plan so valuable?

Want to turn your hotel into a sustainable hotel, but feeling overwhelmed? Want to save resources (like time and money) but don’t know where to start? With checklists and action steps to guide you #stepbystep, this guide is the perfect solution for you.

LEARN ABOUT HOLISTIC HOTEL SUSTAINABILITY

Most hotels focus on being green, but to qualify yours as a truly sustainable hotel, you have to address all areas of sustainability: environmental, social and economic. We’ll dive deep into each area so you can begin executing.

Your Hotel Sustainability Action Plan – put hotel sustainability into action – NOW!

CREATE A SUSTAINABLE HOTEL NOW

With the help of action steps, we’ll help you to implement holistic hotel sustainability into each and every area of your hotel now. It’s that easy!

LEARN FROM BEST PRACTICES

We spotlight 12 hotels that are doing sustainability right so you can learn from their example.

GET CERTIFIED AS A SUSTAINABLE HOTEL

We’ve aligned the action steps in the guide with the leading hotel sustainability certificates out there, and by executing them, you get closer and closer to qualification.

SAVE CRITICAL RESOURCES

When it comes to hotel sustainability, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you, so you don’t have to - saving you time, money and headaches.

EQUIP YOUR TEAM FOR SUCCESS

Whether you’ve got a full team or you’re doing it yourself, get the exact guidance and steps you need to execute on your sustainability strategy.

Yes, I want to buy the Hotel Sustainability Action Plan

The Sustainable Hotel Handbooks have been successfully used by:

Hoteliers + hotel brands

THOMAS KERSCHBAUMER, HEAD OF BUSINESS UNIT HOTEL & GASTRO, SENFTER HOLDING (SOUTH TYROL/ITALY)

Coaches + consultants

MICH BONDESIO, AUTHOR, COACH & BUSINESS CONSULTANT, CREATING CADENCE (UNITED KINGDOM)

Students

LUISE WEINERT, BACHELOR'S STUDENT AT FHGR CHUR (CHUR/SWITZERLAND)

FACTS: Sustainable hotels are more profitable and successful.

Sustainability is not only good for People and Planet, it’s good for business too. Sustainability:

helps you earn you more bookings from increasingly more sustainably-minded travellers.
helps you generate customer loyalty and benefit from word-of-mouth marketing.
helps you save costs and realise efficiencies.
helps you better navigate turbulent times and risks.
puts you ahead of regulations that call for increased reporting.
separates you from the competition.
helps you attract investment.
inspires and benefits your stakeholders, like guests, employees, partners and local community members.
earns you media coverage, recognition and awards for your endeavours.
creates a positive impact on the world.

Get this Hotel Sustainability Action Plan now!

For the cost of the average hotel room night, you can set your hotel on the right course to create even more sustainable impact and achieve even more business success.

DIGITAL HANDBOOK

After payment, you can access your digital product (PDF file) immediately in your private and secured Community member area for easy, life-long access and download.

Also available in German. Click here.

CHF 98.00

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Hotel Sustainability Action Plan perfect for independent and boutique hoteliers?

The Hotel Sustainability Action Plan was crafted specifically with independent and boutique hoteliers in mind. As seasoned hotel consultants, we know better than anyone that independent and boutique hotels have limited time, budget and resources compared to bigger hotels and chain hotels.

Therefore, the Hotel Sustainability Action Plan really focuses on everything boutique hoteliers need to make sustainability happen, with practical steps that are both realistic and budget-conscious, without being too time-intensive.

Is the Hotel Sustainability Action Plan suited for hoteliers running an existing hotel?

Yes! The Hotel Sustainability Action Plan is perfect for hoteliers who already have a hotel and are looking to make it more sustainable. We present loads of sustainable activities you can implement into your existing operations to increase your hotel’s impact step-by-step.

I am planning a new hotel , is the Hotel Sustainability Action Plan for me?

All recommendations and action steps presented in the Hotel Sustainability Action Plan apply to new hotels too, not just existing ones. We even guide you in how to build sustainability into the hotel development process from the start – beginning with site selection to planning, construction and interior design.

Is the Hotel Sustainability Action Plan worth the investment?

We say: absolutely! This guide is jam-packed with as much value for boutique hoteliers looking to create sustainable hotels. Plus, with all the sustainability recommendations outlined in the Hotel Sustainability Action Plan, you will attract more guests and realise important cost savings and efficiencies. So it will pay off – literally!

Yes, I want to buy the Hotel Sustainability Action Plan

Discover who’s behind The Sustainable Hotel.

Meet the B Corp-certified MAp team of hospitality experts, hotel consultants and sustainability insiders.

Nice to meet you!

MAp is a B Corp-certified boutique hotel consultancy that empowers independent and boutique hoteliers, hospitality brands and investors in creating unique, innovative and sustainable hotels built for the future. Based in Zurich and woman-owned, the MAp team provides hotel concept development, hotel branding, hotel marketing and hotel sustainability services to award-winning clients worldwide. Through its focus on people and purpose, its innovative approach and bespoke solutions, MAp makes hotels, businesses and brands matter.

Get to know us

The Hotel Sustainability Shop

Discover practical hotel sustainability tools and resources that make a real impact.

Create a thriving hotel business and learn more about holistic hotel sustainability with our practical handbooks, tools and resources. Let’s get started on the road to a more hospitable and purposeful Planet – together!

Wondering where to start? What makes the biggest difference — for your guests, your hotel, etc.?

We've compiled 284 clear, practical action steps across all areas of hotel sustainability to help you elevate your hotel's sustainability efforts — saving you valuable time and effort.

Clear instructions, practical checklists, inspiring examples and much more...

284 clear and concrete measures that you can implement NOW in your hotel and much MORE value are waiting for you.

What is included in this practical guide to sustainability in the hotel industry?

THOMAS KERSCHBAUMER, HEAD OF BUSINESS UNIT HOTEL & GASTRO, SENFTER HOLDING (SOUTH TYROL/ITALY)

JEREMY TRAN, FOUNDER OF SAINHA

LUISE WEINERT, BACHELOR'S STUDENT AT FHGR CHUR (CHUR/SWITZERLAND)

LILIAN ROTEN, FOUNDER OF DESIGN JOURNEY AND HOTEL DE LONDRES IN BRIG (SWITZERLAND)

RENATO BOTTE, OWNER OF LOCANDA MISTRAL (PIEDMONT/ITALY)

MICH BONDESIO, AUTHOR, COACH & BUSINESS CONSULTANT, CREATING CADENCE (UNITED KINGDOM)

HEIDRUN STOISER, LEAD GREEN EXPERIENCES AT PIZ (MONTAFON / AUSTRIA)

What makes this practical Hotel Sustainability Action Plan so valuable?

Want to turn your hotel into a sustainable hotel, but feeling overwhelmed? Want to save resources (like time and money) but don’t know where to start? With checklists and action steps to guide you #stepbystep, this guide is the perfect solution for you.

FACTS: Sustainable hotels are more profitable and successful.

Sustainability is not only good for People and Planet, it’s good for business too. Sustainability:

Get this Hotel Sustainability Action Plan now!

For the cost of the average hotel room night, you can set your hotel on the right course to create even more sustainable impact and achieve even more business success.

DIGITAL HANDBOOK

What happens after your order

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover who’s behind The Sustainable Hotel.

Meet the B Corp-certified MAp team of hospitality experts, hotel consultants and sustainability insiders.

The Hotel Sustainability Shop

Discover practical hotel sustainability tools and resources that make a real impact.

Your Hotel Sustainability Action Plan – put hotel sustainability into action – NOW!

Get 284 practical and actionable steps hotels can take to achieve holistic sustainability and reduce costs, balancing the needs of People, Planet, Profit and Purpose.

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