Report

Asia Pacific Hotel Sustainability Trends 2021

The "Asia Pacific Sustainability Trends 2021" report offers an in-depth look at sustainability practices within the hotel industry across 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Compiled from data provided by 2,356 hotels, this sixth annual report examines the evolution of energy and water usage, cost trends, and the adoption of sustainability initiatives, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Insights:

Impact of COVID-19 on Energy and Water Usage:

The pandemic led to a substantial decrease in energy consumption across the region due to reduced hotel operations. However, energy consumption showed signs of recovery as restrictions eased. Despite this, there was a consistent decline in energy use and costs from 2016 to 2019 in many countries, indicating ongoing efforts to reduce consumption.

Water usage trends were inconsistent, with some countries like Singapore and Indonesia consistently reducing consumption over recent years, while others saw fluctuations due to the operational nature of hotels during the pandemic.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Costs:

The report highlights the varying impacts of reduced energy use on greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs. For example, some countries saw a reduction in both consumption and costs, while others, despite reduced usage, faced higher costs due to factors like increased energy prices.

Sustainability Practices Adoption:

The adoption of sustainability practices varies significantly across the region. Common practices include energy tracking (99% of hotels) and installing LED lighting in at least 75% of interior spaces (83% of hotels). However, more innovative practices, such as the purchase of carbon offsets and renewable energy generation, are less prevalent.

There is a strong focus on waste management, with 82% of hotels having strategies to eliminate single-use plastics, though only 45% conduct waste audits.

Regional Differences:

The Maldives and Myanmar are leading in the adoption of sustainability practices, with nearly 100% participation in several key areas like LED lighting and energy tracking. Conversely, countries like Japan and the Philippines show lower uptake in practices like water conservation and sustainability certification.

The report also notes that while Asia-Pacific hotels are adopting sustainability measures, there is room for improvement, particularly in aligning with global benchmarks and implementing more innovative practices.

This report underscores the varied progress in sustainability across the Asia-Pacific hotel industry and provides crucial benchmarks for hotels aiming to enhance their sustainability efforts.