As we all know, the last few years have certainly been a challenge for the travel and tourism industry, not only due to Covid but also major environmental issues around the globe, and so many businesses have had to spend serious time considering their long term environmental impact.
We can no longer assume that a fantastic experience in terms of service, amenities and location is enough to entice and keep our guests. Sustainability now greatly influences people’s lifestyle choices and how they behave, and it has undoubtedly become both a key decision driver in their travel plans, but also for how long they may stay and what they invest their money in.
For resorts, this means looking at sustainability from top to bottom which can be costly and resource-heavy to get to a place of true understanding and implementation. But one thing is for sure, there’s no hiding from sustainable travel and eco-tourism or waiting to see how it evoles. It is something the hospitality sector simply has to embrace now.
In 2021 the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) called for the tourism industry to make a ‘responsible recovery’, to seize the opportunity of the pause we’ve experienced as a result of Covid-19 and refresh the way we do things with sustainability put right to the front of the agenda.
As a brand, Six Senses is built on sustainability with memorable hospitality experiences developed around that. So these big questions about our relationship with the local community, climate and environment aren’t new to us and are always front and center of our minds. It is not something that we ‘do’ as a brand; it is who we are.
However, green credentials can’t just be initiatives listed on a website; guests want to know the details and see it in action during their trip. Many of them want to become part of the efforts themselves, which is where hotels and resorts can be curating and offering these kinds of experiences to add value.
The emphasis in all of this is about being ‘responsible’. In hospitality that might mean omitting plastic bottles, looking at local suppliers for amenities and F&B, cultivating local wildlife and greenery or simply changing the light bulbs to be on timers/sensors. Small changes add up to big impact.
For me, it’s also about serving our local community in the best way possible, and setting a good example to our guests. We want to make it easy for them to live sustainably while they are with us because taking a holiday from our everyday lives isn’t about taking a break from our values as people.
Andrew Spearman, General Manager of Six Senses Zighy Bay.
Follow us on
