Dear Johannes, thank you for your time! To begin with, please tell us a little bit about Orbital Systems and what your mission is.

Johannes: Orbital Systems is an innovation company whose mission is to make water appliances smarter and more efficient. Our products are made to save water and energy without compromising on the user experience.

Average consumption today exceeds 100 litres per person per day in the Western world. At Orbital, our goal is to reduce this number to 20 litres per day.

What inspired the founder of Orbital, Mehrdad Mahdjoubi, to launch the company? What major problems was he hoping to solve?

Johannes: As a student at Lund University, Mehrdad took part in an academic collaboration with NASA. Their mission was to uncover ways of sustaining life on Mars through innovative use of water. It was then that the revelation dawned on him; that groundbreaking ideas conceived for space could also revolutionise the way we manage water on our own Blue Planet. Fresh water is a finite resource, and its scarcity is a growing concern worldwide.

That's why our primary focus is on developing technologies that enable smarter use of water. Our advanced shower systems are engineered to drastically reduce water wastage without compromising on comfort or performance. By implementing Orbital showers in hotels, homes and businesses, we can significantly decrease water consumption on a global scale.

Can you tell us more about your products? What makes them so innovative and who are they made for?

Johannes: Orbital Systems specialises in water- and energy-saving products that combine sustainability, innovative technology and design. Our key products utilise circular technology to reduce water and energy consumption by 50 to 100%, all while providing users with a premium experience featuring high flow and constant temperature.

The Scandinavian design is evident in our minimalist, functional and aesthetically pleasing approach, ensuring that our products not only perform efficiently but also enhance the visual appeal of the space they are used in. These products are ideal for environmentally conscious consumers, hotels, spas, gyms and private homeowners who value both sustainability and design.

When you look back at the hotels you've worked with and how you've supported them on their path to more sustainability with your products: What has been your biggest learning so far?

Johannes: Many hotels are not aware of how much they pay for the water and energy used by their showers. When we get a chance to look at their numbers, they are often very surprised when they realise the magnitude of the savings they could achieve by installing our products.

We have also learned that hotel guests are not very willing to change their behaviour to save water and energy. When they pay for a hotel stay, they often use the shower much more than they do at home. This is especially true in 4- and 5-star hotels where water consumption can be very high. To better suit the organisation of the hotel business, where it is common to have a property owner company and an operator company, we have introduced a financial model where the cost can be split between these two entities.

The property owner pays an amount equivalent to the cost of a conventional high-end shower system, while the operator pays a monthly or annual fee for a Care Plan that includes consumables and a 10-year warranty. With this setup, the hotel's operational expenses per room immediately become lower than with a conventional shower.

Nowadays, people are talking more and more about saving water but aren’t necessarily being smarter about their water usage. What are your three most important water-saving recommendations?

Johannes:

1. Reduce your shower time (or implement an Orbital Shower ;-) ).

2. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, fill the dishwasher and keep cold drinking water in a jar in the fridge.

3. Install dual flush toilets or, even better, the Orbital Tap for up to 100% greywater reuse from the toilet sink to toilet flushing.

Do you have any recommendations for hoteliers on how they can start and/or advance their sustainability journeys?

Johannes: Hire an expert who can take a holistic approach to analyse your current state and identify areas for impactful improvements.

Key actions to become more sustainable always include:

1. Implementing energy-efficient solutions

2. Reducing water consumption

3. Minimising waste

4. Choosing organic and locally sourced food

As always, our final MAp meets question: What makes a hotel experience truly outstanding for you personally?

Johannes: Freshly baked bread for breakfast, a comfortable bed in a cool and silent room, and of course a long and refreshing shower without any unnecessary waste of water and energy.

Before you get started, you should know that sustainability is not just good for people and planet – it’s good for business too. Here we lay out the benefits of creating a sustainable hotel - talk about motivation!

1. Increased Attractiveness: According to Booking.com's Sustainable Travel Report (2021), 83% of global travelers consider sustainable travel important, with 61% expressing a desire to travel more sustainably.

2. Enhanced Guest Loyalty: Sustainable hotels communicate a message that is increasingly relevant in society. Conscious travelers prefer to support like-minded establishments and are more likely to return to such accommodations due to enhanced guest experience.

3. Greater Resilience: In turbulent times, sustainable hotels are better equipped to handle challenges and risks stemming from changes like supply chains, regulatory requirements, legal issues, disputes and reputation risks.

4. Increased Investment: Both the public and private sectors are increasingly investing in companies that deliver greater benefits to the world and practice sustainable economics.

5. Inspiration and Added Value: Sustainable hotels not only offer added value to their guests but also attract and retain top talents. They gain the best employees and partners, increase long-term business value, and have the capacity to support local communities.

6. Cost Savings: Energy-efficient technologies and reduced resource consumption can lead to substantial cost savings over time.

7. Positive Brand Image and Competitive Advantage: A commitment to sustainability can improve hotels’ reputations and can set themselves apart in a crowded marketplace, providing a unique selling point.

You now know why it's worthwhile to embark on the journey of creating a sustainable hotel. But now you’re likely left with the question: HOW? And, most importantly, where do you begin?

Don’t fret! We’ve got a helpful, free tool to answer that question, as where you start depends on your hotel’s current status quo. Take 10 minutes to complete MAp’s Sustainability Assessment. Through targeted questions on topics like energy efficiency, social responsibility and resource management, you’ll not only receive a detailed analysis of your current sustainability standing, but also gain valuable insights for future actions.

Your commitment to sustainable change begins here: Take the free assessment NOW.

Why you should take the Sustainability Assessment:

• Understand the current level of sustainability in your hotel and discover the starting point for further development. • Delve deeper into the holistic aspects of hotel sustainability.
• Generate initial ideas and insights into how your hotel can be made more sustainable and successful.
• Find out which The Sustainable Hotel handbooks and resources can be most helpful.
• Receive tailored recommendations for the next steps in sustainable hotel development.

Now that the starting point for your sustainability journey is clear, it’s time to define your Purpose. At MAp, we tackle hotel sustainability through the lens of the 4 Ps of Sustainability - Purpose, People, Planet, Profit - and the first P we always start with is Purpose.

By discovering your Purpose, you can focus your sustainability journey on what matters most for your hotel: your sustainability priority – whether that’s People, Planet or Profit. Your Purpose informs what path you take, keeps your eyes on the road and inspires you – and your team – to move forward with passion and persistence. For example, if your hotel’s Purpose is “To bring people back to nature,” your sustainability priority might be environmental sustainability, Planet.

To help you get to the heart of your Purpose, ask these questions: WHY do you do what you do? WHY are you embarking on this journey? WHAT change do you wish to make in this world?

We’ve got a whole handbook dedicated to Purpose to guide you in identifying yours, integrating it into your operations and sharing it with the world – check it out HERE.

Your Purpose serves as your guiding star, identifying your sustainability priority, be it social (People), environmental (Planet) or economic sustainability (Profit). As a next step, it’s time to tackle that P. But great news! We’ve got handbooks dedicated to each P, which provide deep insights into each area and what action steps you need to take in order to achieve sustainability in that area. Once you've successfully addressed your first priority P, it’s important to not forget the other areas of sustainability and address them #stepbystep too. After all, to create a truly sustainable hotel, your hotel has to be holistically sustainable – or else it falls short. Like we said at the beginning, sustainability is a journey! What’s most important is that you take the first step. With this, we hope it’s clear what step that is.

Dear Jonas, thank you for your time! First, can you tell us more about Royfort and what “perfect sleep and wellness” means to you?

Thanks for having me! Perfect sleep and wellness for me means, to feel welcome, a feeling of being refreshed and energised, ready to tackle the day ahead. The well-being and sleeping experience in hotels are one of the main reasons behind how hotel guests rate their stay. And with Royfort, we are truly committed to providing an exclusive well-being since our products are sustainably produced and you can feel the superior quality.

When was the decision made that Royfort act in a sustainable way? And what was the main driver behind it?

Sustainability was actually the core reason why Royfort was founded in 2017. Next to sustainable fabrics, our two founders, Gregor Gmür (Switzerland) and Valentin Brandstetter (Austria) also focus on environmentally-friendly supply chain processes. By the way Royfort, as a company, is GOTS certified. This means our whole production processes are checked on social and ecological criteria.

As you look back at the hotels you’ve worked with and how you’ve supported them on their journeys to becoming more sustainable: What has been your biggest learning so far?

Hotels really have the chance to differentiate themselves from competitors by creating experiences for their guests. Imagine the feeling of a fluffy bathrobe after your spa experience. You want to wear a fabric where you can feel the quality and you know it was made from a sustainable company! Hotel guests are more and more conscious about this topic and want to know what they eat or where they sleep. If hotels are using sustainably produced products, they can proudly communicate this online and offline.

For every hotel, it is important that their guests have a good night’s rest. What are your top three recommendations for hoteliers to make sure that their guests get a “perfect sleep” - and do so in a sustainable way?

A quiet sleep environment is essential, the hotel room should be rather dark, and the temperature should be chilly. In combination with superior bedding (mattress, duvets/ pillows, bed linen), hotel guests will have a great sleep! Additionally, I would avoid any kind of chemicals and only use natural fabrics.

At MAp we are specialised in supporting independent hoteliers in becoming more innovative and sustainable, also through crafting unique hotel concepts and brands. What are your thoughts and observations on sustainability in the hospitality industry? What do you believe the future holds for the industry?

The hospitality industry is increasingly recognising the importance of sustainability and taking measures to reduce its environmental impact. This is strongly driven by hotel guests! As travellers become more environmentally conscious, sustainability will continue to be a significant factor in guests' decision-making and rating the hotel after their stay.

I predict it will even become a hygiene factor. Do you have any recommendations for independent and boutique hoteliers on how they can start and / or advance their sustainability journey?

I am certain hoteliers know their business better than anyone else. I don’t think it’s a lack of ideas or recommendations but instead priority setting. The transition towards a sustainable hotel future is happening. We at Royfort want to support hotels on their journey, not only by creating sustainable products but by creating fantastic guest-well-being experiences!

What’s your biggest wish for the future? On a professional level, I’d love to support as many hotels as possible on their way to building meaningful relationships with guests through sustainability and experiences!

As always, our final MAp meets question: what makes a hotel experience a truly outstanding one for you personally? For me, it all boils down to passion and about being a great host! The hotel needs to really care about me and my well-being! Exceptional service, attention to detail, excellent facilities and a unique guest experience will follow seamlessly.

Dear Kenia, thank you for your time and this joint MAp meets. At the beginning of our conversation, could you give us an insight into what hejhej has to offer today - after all, closed-loop yoga mats aren’t anymore the only hejhej products.

Thank you very much for inviting us to take part in this interview. As you say, the first closed-loop hejhej-mat is not our only product. Quite quickly we designed a yoga mat bag, the hejhej-bag. Then we gradually added other yoga equipment such as a yoga belt, yoga bolster, yoga block, meditation cushion, eye pillow and spray. All these products are completely developed in the spirit of the circular economy. Our take-back system also applies to all products. Our goal is to provide a way for you to make your yoga practice as sustainable as possible. A short documentary of our hejhej-bolsters shows very nicely how consciously we design our product development.

Health and well-being is an important part of your sustainability philosophy. You pass this on to your partner hotels with whom you successfully cooperate. What are the most important elements of this philosophy that hotels can implement in the area of health promotion?

We really appreciate the great cooperation with our partner hotels. In the meantime, we have a super nice and diverse selection, whereby we work out and establish an individual cooperation with each hotel. Health promotion does not have to be complicated. A movement or yoga programme in the hotel is already an easy-to-implement method for a hotel to do something for preventive health promotion. The good thing is that you don't need much for yoga. The most important thing is a good yoga mat and of course other tools are practical. It is also important to mention that a nice yoga set-up in the hotel motivates the guests to move. So by offering yoga equipment in the rooms or for rent in your hotel, you motivate people to do more for their health and well-being.

Yoga has become a central theme and offer for many hotels. What tips can you give hoteliers to create a yoga offer for guests that stands out from the competition, offers added value for guests and is sustainable?

We also notice how widespread yoga has become in hotel concepts and love it. Especially on holiday, it's a nice way to use free time to try yoga or deepen your own practice. High-quality yoga equipment is a unique selling point for a hotel. To offer yoga, it's great to have a yoga room and your own yoga teacher - but you don't necessarily need one. For example, we have a cooperation with a partner hotel that has bought many yoga mats for their flats from hejhej. Each yoga mat has a co-branded label with both brand names woven into it in a high-quality way. Next to the hejhej-mats, QR codes are displayed in the flats that link to a video playlist from us. In cooperation with the hotel, we have recorded yoga videos on their premises. Guests can practice yoga on the high-quality yoga mats directly in their room, whether beginner or advanced, there is something for everyone. Our yoga videos on Youtube range from Vinyasa, Yin, Pranayama, Katonah Yoga to accessible yoga and yoga for the blind. Our goal here is to make the yoga world more inclusive. Your hotel can easily share this offer and provide it to guests.

As always, our final MAp meets question: what makes a hotel experience a truly outstanding one for you personally?

At hejhej we have a statement that has always accompanied our product development: small things matter. By this we mean that even the smallest detail matters. For example, we also think about the zip and sewing thread in our products and find the most sustainable solution on the market for everything.

It's similar for me with hotel experiences. I often notice exactly those little things. That's when I notice whether the hotel is really interested in sustainability or just wants to improve its image. Whether the interior, the care products or the food have really been thought about and whether there is a conscious focus on regionality and longevity. That's exactly what makes a lasting impression on me in a hotel experience.

About hejhej:

hejhej is the first closed-loop yoga brand on the market. It is based in Nuremberg, Germany. With the hejhej-mat, it has taken a decisive step towards making the yoga world more sustainable and circular. Find out more at www.hejhej-mats.com or on Instagram at @hejhej_mats.

Dear Martin, thank you for your time! First of all, can you tell us more about Guestnet? What’s your Purpose and what problem did you set out to solve with your innovative system?

Martin: Guestnet is a 'Guest Experience Platform' with which we digitise the entire guest journey. Our goal is to support hosts in digital guest communication and thereby strengthen the relationship with their guests. Informed and satisfied guests, optimised digital processes and additional in-house revenues through a web app that can be easily accessed by the guest in the personalised CI of the accommodation.

We have recently partnered to promote our joint effort in making the hospitality industry more sustainable and innovative. At Guestnet, what’s your approach to sustainability? And how do you support your clients on their sustainability journey through your software solution?

Martin: We see sustainability as an integral part of our business. Through digital communication, we significantly reduce paper consumption in accommodations. In addition, guests are well informed about sustainability initiatives of the accommodation and also involved, so that with the very popular function "cancel room cleaning", a small, visible contribution can be made and accommodations are relieved at the same time.

As you look back at the hotels you’ve worked with and how you’ve supported them on their journeys to becoming more sustainable: What has been your biggest learning so far?

Martin: One of the most important findings was that sustainability and profitability can go hand-in-hand. In addition to the immediately visible consequences of drastically reducing paper consumption through digital communication, hotels were able to greatly reduce the workload on staff by canceling room cleaning. On the one hand, this leads to lower costs and an improvement in operational processes, but also results in positive reviews from guests after their stay.

For every hotel it is important that their guests are well-informed and taken care of. What are your top three recommendations for hoteliers to make sure that their guests have all the information and support needed to ensure the best experience?

Martin: A very good question and I would like to answer it with the following three key points:

- Visibility: create visibility for your information by integrating it into the check-in process so guests can receive and view it before they arrive. Actively point out digital guest folders and other information sources at check-in. Further increase content visibility by placing QR codes in relevant locations to provide guests with easy access to information.

- Information: Make sure to bundle the most frequently asked guest inquiries and integrate them into a digital guest folder. This way, recurring questions can already be answered digitally and the reception desk can be relieved.

- Action: digital channels enable active marketing - use push notifications to point out spa treatment offers of the day or sell products via your in-house store. Guests can request services, buy products or place room service orders. The digital channel thus becomes a very relevant channel for in-house sales - fully automated and with all digital possibilities.

At MAp we are specialised in supporting independent hoteliers to become more innovative and sustainable, also through crafting unique hotel concepts and brands. What are your thoughts and observations on sustainability in the hospitality industry? What do you believe the future holds for the industry?

Martin: Sustainability is an increasingly important topic in the hotel industry. Hotels are increasingly focusing on environmentally-friendly practices such as energy and water conservation as well as social responsibility. Sustainable hotel concepts are becoming more popular as guests seek authentic experiences. The industry will continue to focus on innovative solutions to achieve sustainability goals. Overall, I expect sustainability to become the standard and the industry to evolve.

Do you have any recommendations for independent or boutique hoteliers on how they can start and / or advance their sustainability journeys?

Martin: Hotels can drive their sustainability journey by reviewing their current practices and identifying areas for improvement. Developing a sustainability plan with clear goals and strategies is important for this. From my perspective, communication internally and externally is a critical factor. Internally, it enables all employees to support and actively communicate the measures. Externally, it ensures that guests can be informed and involved.

What’s your biggest wish for the future?

Martin: My wish is to help even more hosts with their digital guest communication in order to relieve their employees and have more resources available for a unique guest experience. At the same time, we want to use technology to promote more sustainable tourism, where everyone has an awareness of sustainability and thus makes a small contribution to a more sustainable future. Our goal is to be the leading technological platform for this transformation and to accompany many hosts on this journey.

As always, our final MAp meets question: what makes a hotel experience a truly outstanding one for you personally?

Martin: Attention to detail and unobtrusive service make my hotel stay a real experience. On my city trips, I specifically look for boutique hotels with modern design in lively neighborhoods. I am always on the lookout for local wine bars and restaurants to discover the authentic culinary diversity of the city.

About Guestnet - Guest Experience Platform

Guestnet digitises the entire guest journey during the stay. In addition to the digital concierge on the guest's device, TV (Infoscreens & Room TV), print (morning mail, daily menu, weekly programme,...) and widgets (integration into website and correspondence systems) complete the multi-channel approach to provide the guest with all information. Result: Informed and satisfied guests, employee relief through optimised digital processes and increase of in-house revenues by advertising internal services. The leading hosts in DACH + South Tyrol successfully digitalise guest communication with Guestnet.

Dear Franziska, thank you for your time! First of all, can you tell us more about you and what inspired you to found Good Travel?

Franziska: First of all, of course, being a passionate traveller myself. I love travelling, discovering new places and getting inspiration from these. And as it happens, normally you spend a lot of time looking for the right accommodation – often without the desired result. And when you’ve actually found a really great accommodation, you wonder why there are not more of them, or where you can find them. Especially in German-speaking countries, we have seen a big gap in this area. So this led us, my partner Judith and me, to the decision to start Good Travel…

How did your own sustainability journey start? And what has been your biggest learning so far?

Franziska: I think it started with having my kids or maybe even before that. We live in Berlin so there was already a community that was engaged in sustainability way before it became mainstream. And of course, becoming a mother myself, even enhanced my desire to live more sustainably - in every aspect. And I’d say my biggest learning so far has been that it is always the person that makes the difference. Every one of us can have an impact - far bigger than the actual “doing”, but by being a role model and inspiring others.

You know, Franziska, that we truly love your approach: “Good places for Good people.” Can you tell us more about what makes a place a good one for you?

Franziska: This ties into my previous answer: I truly believe that people make the difference. And "Good Places for Good People" includes the idea that both our hosts and Good Travellers share a value system and appreciate each other’s commitment.

At MAp we are specialised in supporting independent hoteliers to become more innovative and sustainable, also through crafting unique hotel concepts and brands. What are your thoughts and observations on sustainability in the hospitality industry? What do you believe the future holds for the industry?

Franziska: I think that sustainability will become the new standard in the hospitality industry. Alone the costs will be reason enough for many to think about green energy and similar. With this, the greenwashing practices will become more common as well. And this will be a challenge for us travellers: how to differentiate between good marketing and real commitment? In a lot of cases, this will be only visible when being a guest.

Do you have any recommendations for independent or boutique hoteliers on how they can start and / or advance their sustainability journeys?

Franziska: For me, authenticity is the key. So a hotelier should always start with measures that are heartfelt concerns. For example, starting to grow their own vegetables, including locals in activities for hotel guests, reducing costs by getting solar panels for the pool heating, etc.  

What’s your biggest wish for the future?

Franziska: That travelling does not become a privilege for rich people only. Travelling, seeing other countries, getting to know other cultures, is always horizon-expanding. I really hope that our kids won't have to travel virtually only.

As always, our final MAp meets question: what makes a hotel experience a truly outstanding one for you personally?

Franziska: Sleeping well, eating well, a peaceful view and a host that makes me feel welcome :-)

About Good Travel

Good Travel was founded in January 2016 by Franziska Diallo and Judith Hehl in Berlin to address the growing demand for environmentally- and socially-responsible vacations and to fill this gap in the market with a hand-picked selection of sustainable accommodation.

Good Travel's unique selling proposition is that sustainability does not have to mean doing without and that style and enjoyment should not be neglected. With Good Travel, they want to raise awareness for sustainable tourism. They want to make sustainable destinations more attractive. The more people develop an awareness of sustainable practices in vacation accommodations and then demand them, the more willing the industry will be to implement sustainable practices.

From old farms to cottages and design hotels to tiny houses, tree houses and yurts, Good Travel presents a colourful selection of sustainable vacation destinations in a variety of price segments. The journey already begins with the search - through pictures and descriptions that invite you to dream and plan. They see themselves as impulse givers: They inform and inspire both on the offer and demand side. They want to show the hosts that a sustainable positioning in the tourism industry brings a decisive competitive advantage. For them, sustainable travel is the new, contemporary travel.

On their blog, which they completely redesigned this summer, they also write about general sustainability topics in addition to sustainable travel. Because for them, sustainability is a matter that affects all areas of life. They want to inspire you to make your everyday life more sustainable.