We’ve created a practical handbook that outlines how and what to communicate when it comes to sustainability, with guidance, checklists, templates, exercises, resources, case studies and more to put theory into practice. No matter how big or small your marketing department or communication team is, you’ll have all the tools in place to start effectively communicating sustainability NOW, saving you time, money and resources.
Whether you’re simply wanting to learn about communication, increase the impact of your sustainability initiatives and/or achieve more success for your hotel business, then this handbook has got everything you need.
But don’t just take our word for it, listen to what our clients have to say!
The Sustainable Hotel Handbooks have been successfully used by:
RENATO BOTTE, OWNER OF LOCANDA MISTRAL (PIEDMONT/ITALY)
MICH BONDESIO, AUTHOR, COACH & BUSINESS CONSULTANT, CREATING CADENCE (UNITED KINGDOM)
LUISE WEINERT, BACHELOR'S STUDENT AT FHGR CHUR (CHUR/SWITZERLAND)
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
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)
"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)
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)
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)
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)
Get insights into WHAT exactly you should communicate and HOW to ensure the way you're communicating is sustainable too.
In just seven steps, we’ll build your sustainability communication strategy so that you can start sharing your story with the world right now!
Whether you’ve got a full team or you’re doing it yourself, get the tools and resources you need to execute on your communication strategy.
We highlight learnings, tips and recommendations from top industry leaders who have nailed their sustainability communication, and spotlight hotels that are doing it right too.
Through practical exercises, we get to the heart of your sustainability story, which will serve as the basis of your sustainability communication - from now into the future.
Set your communication targets, track your progress through useful scorecards and measure your communication success.
Rupp PR is an independent full-service communications agency focusing on sustainable travel and tourism. Based in the DACH region, the firm helps hotels and hospitality brands raise awareness and increase guest inquiries within their target markets.
Read moreRupp PR is an independent full-service communications agency focusing on sustainable travel and tourism. Based in the DACH region, the firm helps hotels and hospitality brands raise awareness and increase guest inquiries within their target markets.
It is independent and international, creating tailored communications strategies and executing marketing tactics to guide clients' visions forward – without compromising creativity. Most importantly, the Rupp PR team loves what it does.
Read lessIn this handbook, we’ll share with you all the expertise we at MAp and Rupp have gained from working with independent and boutique hoteliers globally on their marketing and communication initiatives. Plus, we’ve interviewed some of the brightest minds that are shaping the future of hospitality, and they contribute their personal learnings and insights just for you.
puts you ahead of regulations that call for increased reporting,
separates you from the competition,
gets you support from partners, local community members and others to ensure your progress,
earns you media coverage, recognition and awards for your endeavours.
As a B Corp-certified company, we encourage you to buy the digital handbook, which comes in a PDF file with various versions for easy handling and sharing with your team. As a special bonus, you will also receive the Introduction PDF free of cost!
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.
If you choose this option, we will organise the printing with our trusted and sustainable printing partners.
Click the purchase button above and you’ll be taken to a secure checkout page.
Complete your order and check your email for your login instructions.
Login to your account and get started on making this Planet a better place for all.
The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Communication was crafted 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, this handbook really focuses on everything such hoteliers need to communicate their sustainability initiatives both internally and externally – and of course, in a successful manner!
The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Communication is also extremely beneficial for those working with hotels or seeking to work for hotels, such as consultants, students and others in the hospitality industry. Grow your knowledge about and equip yourself with tools and resources on hotel sustainability and communication in order to better serve the industry.
Yes! The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Communication is perfect for hoteliers who already have a hotel and are looking to be smarter when it comes to communicating with their stakeholders about their sustainability efforts. We present activities and steps you can implement into your existing processes to help you achieve this.
All recommendations and action steps presented in The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Communication applies to new hotels too, not just existing ones.
We’ve jam-packed this handbook with as much practical information and action steps as possible. By following our recommendations outlined in the handbook, you will not only learn to write your unique and authentic sustainability but communicate it to the world in a way that educates, informs and inspires your People.
Choose the digital or print version above, and simply follow the instructions to complete your purchase!
This is the WHAT. Sustainability communication is the act of consciously integrating sustainability into a communication strategy by telling stakeholders about your sustainability goals and efforts. The objective of sustainability communication is to raise awareness and understanding about sustainability and what your hotel is doing on the front, and to encourage action to support our initiatives.
This is the HOW. This means you are communicating in a socially-responsible and ecological manner, with no negative impact to society, the economy and the Planet. The objective of sustainable communication is therefore to reduce the environmental and social footprint of communication activities and to make sure that all can profit from it. To support you with communicating in a sustainable way, we have developed 10 Principles of Sustainable Communication that are included in the handbook.
Greenwashing refers to the practice of making false or misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product or service in order to appeal to environmentally-conscious consumers. It’s about misleading consumers into thinking that a product or service is more environmentally friendly than it actually is.
An example of greenwashing is claiming that you have a recycling programme in place, which involves putting recycling bins in rooms, without actually having an established system for properly sorting, disposing and recycling waste.
To avoid greenwashing, the most important thing to remember is this: communication must follow action! You must be on the sustainability journey, taking meaningful steps in the right direction (with proof and data to back that up), in order to communicate sustainability. If you’re not walking the sustainability talk, then you’re simply greenwashing.
Greenhushing is the deliberate concealment of information about sustainability practices from stakeholders for fear of being labelled greenwashers. By underreporting the steps you are taking in the right direction, the result is that guests and your other stakeholders miss the chance to be informed, educated and inspired. It is therefore the opposite of greenwashing.
We can all agree that hotels need People, like employees and guests, to operate. As a crucial part of your marketing department, communication is about attracting the best talent but also guests by communicating to the world that your hotel exists, why and for whom. Without strategic and sustainable communication, you don’t attract (the right) guests, and without guests, sooner than later your hotel will cease to exist. If communication is done right – and in a sustainable manner – hotels will attract their ideal clientele, who opts for you because of your sustainability actions and is willing to pay for your sustainability initiatives – and in turn, they will find their dream accommodation. Employees and partners will feel motivated to work with you. Your local community will support and uplift you. A win-win for all – your hotel and your stakeholders (and the Planet to boot!).
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.
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!
ke time for prosecco ke it happenke it meaningfulke good coffeeke it matterke funny jokeske it kindke it simpleke it countJoin our inclusive MAp community NOW! You’ll get access to free resources, webinars, expert talks, and learn more about the latest industry and sustainability news.
