Create a green hotel in an easy and cost-effective way

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The biggest challenge hotels often face in implementing environmentally sustainable solutions is the upfront cost associated with adopting green technologies and practices.

The Planet handbook presents hotels with easy-to-implement and cost-effective solutions that add up to make a big impact, while realising important efficiencies and cost savings.

In each area, we outline the action steps you can take in order to reduce your environmental footprint, which are aligned with the requirements of the top hotel sustainability certification programmes out there. We also help you to define a plan for tackling each topic, and provide scorecards for measuring your overall impact. As a result of following the guidance in the handbook, not only do you do good for our Planet, you benefit from cost savings and efficiencies too. Win-win!

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Key areas

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Practical exercises

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Scorecards

Is the Planet handbook right for me?

We say: Yes!

Whether you have an existing hotel that you want to make more sustainable, wish to open a new sustainable hotel, or simply want to learn more about environmental sustainability, this handbook has got deep insights and practical guidance to help.

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:

Hoteliers + hotel brands

MAp Boutique Consultancy - The Sustainable Hotel

THOMAS KERSCHBAUMER, HEAD OF BUSINESS UNIT HOTEL & GASTRO, SENFTER HOLDING (SOUTH TYROL/ITALY)

Coaches + consultants

MAp Boutique Consultancy The Sustainable Hotel Mich Bondesio

MICH BONDESIO, AUTHOR, COACH & BUSINESS CONSULTANT, CREATING CADENCE (UNITED KINGDOM)

Students

LUISE WEINERT, BACHELOR'S STUDENT AT FHGR CHUR (CHUR/SWITZERLAND)

What’s included in the Planet handbook?

In the Planet handbook, we breakdown the measures to take in order to reduce your environmental footprint and become a green hotel.

Planet – Environmental Sustainability MAp Boutique Consultancy, The Sustainable Hotel

Deep insights into four key areas: energy, water, waste, food
5 helpful exercises to put theory into action
5 scorecards to measure your progress in achieving sustainable hotel status when it comes to environmental sustainability
Environmental sustainability action steps aligned with the top hotel sustainability certification programmes
Green technologies to make going green easier
Information on carbon footprints and how to reduce yours
MAp Advice based on MAp's years of working with boutique hoteliers
Expert interviews with hoteliers and experts leading by example
Insights into green building + design, and how to reduce your impact across the lifecycle of a hotel
Best practice examples from the world's top sustainable hotels
*MAp approved* organisations to support you on your sustainability journey
External resources that offer additional guidance and support

What People say about The Sustainable Hotel

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"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)

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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)

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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

“

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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

What makes this handbook so valuable!

The Planet handbook takes into account the budget and time restrictions of hotels to present solutions that are easy and economical.

Learn about environmental sustainability

Environmental sustainability is a large and complex topic, but we break it down to what it means for your hotel in the key areas of energy, waste, water and food.

Create a sustainable hotel NOW

With the help of clear action steps, we’ll help you to implement environmental sustainability action steps now. It’s that easy!

Equip your team with tools + resources

Whether you’ve got a full team or you’re doing it yourself, get the tools and resources you need to execute on your environmental sustainability strategy.

Learn from industry experts + best practices

We highlight learnings, tips and recommendations from top industry leaders who are shining stars in the areas of environmental sustainability, and spotlight leading green hotels.

Qualify as a sustainable hotel

We’ve aligned the action steps with the leading hotel sustainability certificates out there, and by executing them, you get closer and closer to qualification.

Reduce your carbon footprint

Reduce your carbon footprint in all areas of your hotel and across the full lifecycle of your hotel – from planning to demolition, and every step in between.

YES! I WANT TO BUY THE HANDBOOK.

Meet the Experts

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.

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Karsten Schmidt- Hoensdorf

Karsten is the owner of the Zurich design studio IDA14 and our expert for sustainable design.

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Renato Botte

Renato is the owner of the Locanda Mistral in Piedmont, Italy. As a mountain guide of more than 20 years, he shares his passion for the Planet and how it shaped his approach to hospitality.

FACTS: Environmental sustainability benefits both the environment and your hotel

From attracting eco-conscious guests to saving costs, there’s a lot of upside to being green.

Environmental sustainability reduces operating costs through energy, waste and water efficiency.
Environmental sustainability enhances your hotel's reputation and attracts eco-conscious guests.
Environmental sustainability mitigates the environmental impact of the hospitality industry.
Environmental sustainability ensures compliance with environmental regulations and standards.
Environmental sustainability increases operational efficiency and resource optimisation.
Environmental sustainability reduces dependence on fossil fuels and finite resources.
Environmental sustainability preserves natural ecosystems and biodiversity in the local area.
Environmental sustainability encourages innovation and sustainable practices in the industry.
Environmental sustainability enhances the long-term viability and resilience of the hotel.

Choose your preferred option

For the cost of the average hotel room night, you can set your hotel on the right course to create even more sustainable impact and achieve even more business success.

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!

DIGITAL HANDBOOK

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.

Also available in German. Click here.

CHF 148.00

PRINTED HANDBOOK

If you choose this option, we will organise the printing with our trusted and sustainable printing partners.

Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Planet perfect for boutique hoteliers?

The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Planet was crafted specifically with boutique hoteliers in mind. As seasoned hotel consultants, we know better than anyone that boutique hotels have limited time, budget and resources compared to bigger hotels and chain hotels.

Therefore, The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Planet really focuses on everything boutique hoteliers need to make an environmentally sustainable hotel, with practical steps that are both realistic and budget-conscious, without being too time-intensive.

Is The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Planet suited for hoteliers running an existing hotel?

Yes! The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Planet is perfect for hoteliers who already have a hotel and are looking to adopt more environmentally sustainable measures. We present activities and steps you can implement into your existing operations to decrease your hotel’s environmental impact, step-by-step.

I am planning a new hotel, is The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Planet for me?

All recommendations and action steps presented in The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Planet apply to new hotels too, not just existing ones. We even guide you in how to build sustainability into the hotel development process from the start – beginning with site selection to planning, construction and interior design.

Is The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Planet worth the investment?

We say: absolutely! There is no resource out there jam-packed with as much value for boutique hoteliers looking to create green hotels. Plus, with all the sustainability recommendations outlined in The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Planet, you will attract more guests and realise significant cost savings. So it will pay off – literally!

How can I purchase The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Planet?

If you are interested in purchasing a digital version for CHF 148, simply click the "Add to Cart" button and follow the easy steps to guide you through the purchasing process.

If you wish to receive a physical printed copy, please contact us directly to inquire about pricing. We partner with Heller Druck, a sustainable print shop in Switzerland that prints using environmentally-friendly processes and carbon offsets all purchases.

Why is the Planet handbook the ultimate guide for becoming a green hotel?

The Sustainable Hotel Handbook: Planet is packed with insights, tips, tools, exercises, resources and MORE to make your hotel a green hotel. Covering important green practices like energy, waste, food and water, it outlines action steps your hotel can take in order to quality and certify as a green hotel. For each practice, we help you to define a plan for making it happen.

What are green hotel practices?

Green practices in the hotel industry cover a number of important areas:

Energy: Drawing from renewable energy sources and using energy more wisely.
Waste: Aiming to achieve zero waste by reducing, and ultimately, eliminating landfill garbage entirely.
Food: Being mindful of how hotels get their food and the food they serve (organic, local, seasonal).
Water: Minimising water consumption wherever possible.
Eco-design + development: Incorporating sustainability into the planning, building and running of hotel buildings.

Green practices don’t need to be expensive to implement, sometimes it’s just a matter of employing a common-sense approach. Have you ever thought to check for leaky faucets or change the temperature settings on your HVAC systems, for example? Such small actions can make a bit impact!

YES! I WANT TO BUY THE HANDBOOK.

Create a green hotel in an easPlanet – Environmental Sustainability MAp Boutique Consultancy, The Sustainable Hotely and cost-effective way

Discover who’s behind The Sustainable Hotel.

Meet the B Corp-certified MAp team of hospitality experts, hotel consultants and sustainability insiders.

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.

Get to know us

The Hotel Sustainability Shop

Discover practical hotel sustainability tools and resources that make a real impact.

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!

Create a green hotel in an easy and cost-effective way

With a focus on environmental sustainability, the Planet handbook guides you in reducing your hotel’s carbon footprint through common-sense and inexpensive solutions.

The biggest challenge hotels often face in implementing environmentally sustainable solutions is the upfront cost associated with adopting green technologies and practices.

The Planet handbook presents hotels with easy-to-implement and cost-effective solutions that add up to make a big impact, while realising important efficiencies and cost savings.

Is the Planet handbook right for me?

We say: Yes!

What’s included in the Planet handbook?

In the Planet handbook, we breakdown the measures to take in order to reduce your environmental footprint and become a green hotel.

RENATO BOTTE, OWNER OF LOCANDA MISTRAL (PIEDMONT/ITALY)

MICH BONDESIO, AUTHOR, COACH & BUSINESS CONSULTANT, CREATING CADENCE (UNITED KINGDOM)

JEREMY TRAN, FOUNDER OF SAINHA

HEIDRUN STOISER, LEAD GREEN EXPERIENCES AT PIZ (MONTAFON / AUSTRIA)

LUISE WEINERT, BACHELOR'S STUDENT AT FHGR CHUR (CHUR/SWITZERLAND)

THOMAS KERSCHBAUMER, HEAD OF BUSINESS UNIT HOTEL & GASTRO, SENFTER HOLDING (SOUTH TYROL/ITALY)

LILIAN ROTEN, FOUNDER OF DESIGN JOURNEY AND HOTEL DE LONDRES IN BRIG (SWITZERLAND)

What makes this handbook so valuable!

The Planet handbook takes into account the budget and time restrictions of hotels to present solutions that are easy and economical.

Meet the Experts

Karsten Schmidt- Hoensdorf

Renato Botte

FACTS: Environmental sustainability benefits both the environment and your hotel

From attracting eco-conscious guests to saving costs, there’s a lot of upside to being green.

Choose your preferred option

For the cost of the average hotel room night, you can set your hotel on the right course to create even more sustainable impact and achieve even more business success.

DIGITAL HANDBOOK

PRINTED HANDBOOK

What happens after your order

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover who’s behind The Sustainable Hotel.

Meet the B Corp-certified MAp team of hospitality experts, hotel consultants and sustainability insiders.

The Hotel Sustainability Shop

Discover practical hotel sustainability tools and resources that make a real impact.

Service

Handbook - Collection

Handbook

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