• The three Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle, are the three keys to a perfect summer in accommodation.

The arrival of summer means an increase in tourists in our autonomous community. According to the annual balance of Tourism in Galicia for 2023, tourist demand in regulated establishments in 2023 increased by 6.6% compared to the previous year, recovering and even exceeding pre-pandemic data. Therefore, reducing the environmental impact of our establishments is essential for the preservation of the environment.

Small changes in accommodation establishments can have a big impact on reducing waste and material consumption in the hospitality industry. In this article we offer you some recommendations to promote a more circular summer in your accommodation:

• Go for reusable laundry bags: laundry bags in hotel rooms are often not used for this purpose and have a very short lifespan. For example, a 4-star hotel recorded a consumption of 6,321 plastic bags in one year, receiving only 101 requests for laundry service. This is equivalent to 2,958 m² of plastic material, enough to cover 11.5 tennis courts!
• Reduce the use of plastic in the laundry: Although it may seem insignificant, the plastic film that wraps the sheets and towels provided by the laundry supplier can generate a substantial amount of waste.
• Reuse and recycle rugs and carpets: Approximately 4.5 billion square meters of carpets are produced worldwide each year, and much of it ends up in landfills or is incinerated.
• Extending the useful life of furniture, optimizing the management of courtesy products, opting for rechargeable solutions or avoiding overpackaged products are some of the small changes that can make the difference in our establishment so that it leaves a mark on the souls of our customers. users and not on the ground.

A Product Club for sustainable tourism companies

Implementing these practices not only contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable environment, but also aligns establishments in their commitment to sustainable and quality tourism. The tourist brand ‘Galicia Sustainable Destination’ is an example of this. This initiative makes tourism a responsible activity, which seeks comprehensive sustainability from an environmental, social and economic point of view. Its objective is to bring together companies from the main areas of tourism in Galicia whose common motivation is compliance with the SDGs through good practices.

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