Sustainable tourism and eco-friendly accommodations

Sustainability

Sustainable Tourism: How Accommodations Adapt to New Expectations

20 October 2025

2 min read

Casabee Team

Sustainable TourismEcologyHospitalityEnvironment

Sustainable tourism is no longer a trend but a necessity. Travelers are increasingly aware of their environmental impact and seek accommodations that share their values. Accommodation owners, whether hotels, guesthouses, seasonal rentals, or campsites, must adapt to these new expectations. Here's how the hospitality industry is evolving toward more sustainable practices.

The Growing Importance of Sustainable Tourism

Tourism represents approximately 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Faced with the climate emergency, travelers seek ways to reduce their impact while continuing to explore the world. This awareness translates into more responsible accommodation choices.

•*Traveler expectations** :

•Reduction in plastic use

•Energy and water savings

•Use of local and seasonal products

•Waste reduction

•Support for local economy

•Transparency on environmental practices

Accommodations that meet these expectations benefit from better reputation, more positive reviews, and often better profitability thanks to savings achieved.

Digitalization: A Major Lever for Sustainability

The transition to digital is one of the most effective ways to reduce an accommodation's environmental impact.

•*Paper reduction** : Abandoning paper welcome guides in favor of digital versions significantly reduces paper consumption. For an establishment with 50 rooms that changes its guides 4 times a year, this represents hundreds of kilos of paper saved annually.

•*Digital guides and environment** : Digital welcome guides, like those offered by Casabee, completely eliminate the need to print documents. They are accessible on smartphone, tablet, or computer, and can be consulted before, during, and after the stay. This solution not only reduces environmental impact but also improves customer experience.

•*Digital communication** : Digital communication (emails, SMS, applications) is gradually replacing paper documents, further reducing ecological footprint.

•*Energy management** : Smart management systems allow optimizing energy consumption, reducing costs and environmental impact.

Sustainable Initiatives in Accommodations

Accommodations implement various initiatives to reduce their environmental impact:

•*Energy savings** :

•Installation of LED and smart lighting systems

•Improved building insulation

•Efficient heating and air conditioning systems

•Solar panels for renewable energy

•*Water reduction** :

•Low-flow showers

•Rainwater recovery systems

•Reusable linens instead of disposable

•Customer awareness of water conservation

•*Waste reduction** :

•Elimination of single-use plastic

•Composting of organic waste

•Systematic recycling

•Bulk and reusable products

•*Local products** :

•Breakfast with local and seasonal products

•Partnerships with local producers

•Support for local economy

•*Sustainable mobility** :

•Bikes available for guests

•Information on public transport

•Encouragement to use sustainable transportation

Impact of Digital Guides on Sustainability

The shift to digital welcome guides represents a significant contribution to sustainability:

•*Paper elimination** : A single digital guide replaces hundreds, even thousands of printed pages each year. For an average establishment, this can represent several trees saved annually.

•*Transport reduction** : No need to transport printed documents, reducing transport-related emissions.

•*Update without waste** : Information can be updated instantly without reprinting, avoiding waste of obsolete documents.

•*Multilingual without environmental cost** : Automatic translations allow offering multiple languages without multiplying printing.

•*Permanent accessibility** : Clients can consult the guide before their arrival, reducing questions and additional printing needs.

•*Automatic enrichment** : Modern solutions automatically enrich content with local events and points of interest, encouraging clients to explore the region sustainably (public transport, local activities).

Sustainable Certifications and Labels

Many accommodations seek to obtain environmental certifications to attest to their commitment:

•*European Ecolabel** : Official European Union certification for environmentally friendly tourist accommodations.

•*Green Key** : International label that rewards establishments committed to sustainable tourism.

•*Green Key (France)** : French label for eco-friendly tourist accommodations.

•*BREEAM or LEED** : Certifications for sustainable buildings, applicable to hotels.

These certifications help travelers identify truly committed accommodations and encourage establishments to improve their practices.

Economic Benefits of Sustainability

Contrary to popular belief, sustainability can be profitable:

•*Cost reduction** :

•Energy savings through efficient equipment

•Reduced printing costs with digital solutions

•Less waste = less management costs

•Reduced water consumption

•*Increased attractiveness** :

•Better reputation and positive reviews

•Attraction of environmentally conscious clients

•Differentiation from competition

•Possibility of premium pricing for certain sustainable services

•*Regulatory compliance** :

•Anticipation of future regulations

•Reduced risk of sanctions

•Better brand image

How Clients Can Contribute

Accommodations can encourage their clients to adopt sustainable behaviors:

•*Awareness** : Inform clients about the establishment's sustainable practices and how they can contribute.

•*Sustainable options** : Offer options like less frequent towel changes, use of public transport, or support for local businesses.

•*Digital guides** : Digital guides can include information on public transport, local businesses, and sustainable activities, encouraging clients to make responsible choices.

•*Rewards** : Some establishments reward sustainable behaviors, such as discounts for clients who use public transport.

Sustainable tourism is no longer an option but a necessity for the hospitality industry. Accommodations that adapt to these new expectations benefit not only from reduced environmental impact but also from better reputation, significant savings, and more satisfied clientele. Digitalization, particularly with digital welcome guides, represents a major and accessible lever to reduce environmental footprint while improving customer experience. The future of tourism is sustainable, and establishments that anticipate this transition will be best positioned to succeed.