Sustainable tourism and eco-friendly living have become increasingly popular as more individuals aim to minimise their environmental impact through conscious lifestyle choices. Consequently, eco-friendly holiday homes have become highly sought after by those seeking accommodation. As a provider, you can make a significant impact by incorporating small changes to enhance the sustainability of your property.
How To Create An Eco-Friendly Holiday Home
When considering ways to enhance the sustainability of your holiday rental business, it is crucial to focus on various key areas that can make a significant impact on the environment and attract eco-conscious travellers.
Implementing renewable power sources for your eco-friendly holiday cottage, optimising lighting and appliances, reducing plastic usage, conserving water, integrating technology, carefully selecting products and suppliers, managing waste and recycling effectively, and exploring green building solutions are all essential steps to take.
- Renewable power sources for your eco-friendly holiday cottage
- Lighting and appliances
- Plastic
- Water use
- Technology
- Product and supplier selection
- Waste & recycling
- Green building solutions
By incorporating these sustainable practices into your holiday home, you not only contribute to a healthier planet but also increase your rental income and appeal to a growing market of environmentally conscious travellers.
The statistics from a survey conducted by Booking.com highlighted the increasing demand for sustainable travel options, with a significant percentage of customers prioritising eco-friendly accommodations and being willing to pay more for them. Making your holiday home more eco-friendly is not only a responsible choice but also a smart business decision that can set you apart in the competitive rental market and attract a loyal customer base who values sustainability. Booking.com surveyed 33,000 travellers from 35 countries in 2023, and found that:
- 80% of customers said that travelling more sustainable is important to them
- 74% want more sustainable travel options
- 44% don’t know where to find sustainable travel options
- 43% are willing to pay more for sustainable travel options
- 65% of customers would feel more comfortable staying in an accommodation which had a sustainable certification
- 53% said recent climate change news had influenced them to make more sustainable choices
Treat your property like a business
One of the first things you need to do is treat your property as a business. Managing your properties might not be a primary job but you should still see it as a side hustle. You also need to remain professional with your guests and you need to do what you can to keep your finances intact. If you want to avoid legal issues then one thing you can do is try and take steps to look into regulations and specific laws first. You might also want to take out insurance too. Protectivity is a great choice for that.
Offer recycling facilities at your holiday let
With the government’s introduction of colourful bins for various types of waste, recycling has become easier than ever. To promote greener accommodation, consider implementing these simple changes. Firstly, provide clear instructions in your welcome folder about recycling collection days, where to leave the recycling, and which items go in each bin.
Additionally, ensure that the bins are easily accessible. Secondly, opt for higher quality appliances that have a longer lifespan, as legislation may soon encourage this. Thirdly, monitor the food you offer and eliminate or change items that are frequently wasted. Instead of single-use items, use glass jars and dispensers that can be refilled.
Make recycling rules easier for your guests to follow by providing visual guides and labelling the bins accordingly. Explore donation schemes in your area that accept non-perishable food items left by guests. Some cities even have restaurants that incorporate leftover food into their menus.
When replacing furniture, consider donating it to second-hand organisations or upcycling it to create something new. If you provide coffee makers, source a supplier that offers biodegradable capsules that can be easily recycled.
Install electric vehicle charging points
Installing and maintaining an electric vehicle charging point is a cost-effective solution that can greatly enhance the appeal of your holiday cottage. By accommodating the needs of electric vehicle owners, you can set your vacation home apart from the competition and attract a wider range of eco-conscious guests.
Adopt smart technology in your eco-friendly holiday let
By adopting eco-friendly technology, you can not only monitor but also effectively reduce your energy usage. This not only benefits the environment but also helps you save money in the long run. Additionally, it allows you to showcase your commitment to sustainability to your guests and potential customers.
To enhance the guest experience and make your life easier, consider installing smart thermostats, motion sensors, and energy monitoring systems. These devices can automatically adjust temperature settings, detect movement, and provide real-time data on energy consumption. By utilising voice assistant devices like Alexa or Google Assistant, you can conveniently control various aspects of your property such as locks, HVAC, cameras, appliances, and lights.
Set up a Digital Guide
Instead of providing printed guest information, set up a digital guide that can be easily accessed and shared with your guests. This not only reduces paper waste but also provides a more convenient and interactive experience for your guests.
Register with online travel agencies
Take advantage of OTAs’ eco filters and badging to highlight your environmentally friendly property. This allows potential guests to easily identify and choose accommodations that align with their sustainability values.
Hire a Property Manager
Hiring a property manager can be a good investment. The great thing about having a property manager is that they will help you cut down on all of the hassle involved with renting a property. A good manager who has experience across a number of properties will help you a lot here. When it comes to managing your property, remember that it is your legal responsibility to keep the space habitable, so you need to consider hiring help if you need it.
Choose Sustainable Furniture
Instead of opting for cheap and unsustainable furniture, it is worth exploring alternatives such as restoring high-quality second-hand furniture or choosing products made from reclaimed materials. By doing so, not only can you contribute to reducing waste and promoting sustainability, but you can also support local craftspeople who specialise in creating eco-friendly furniture. If you want to buy new furniture, choose a sustainable homeware brand.
If you’re thinking of buying a property these tips will hopefully help you to make your holiday home eco-friendly and appeal to a wider range of guests.
