Spanish hotels make progress in water management, but key challenges remain

Spanish hotels make progress in water management, but key challenges remain

  • The 2025 Study by the Hotel Technology Institute (ITH) identifies advances in measurement and awareness, but points to a low implementation of water reuse and footprint verification technologies.

 

The Study on Water Management in Spanish Hotels, prepared by the Hotel Technology Institute (ITH) and presented in March 2025, offers a comprehensive snapshot of the status of water use in Spanish tourist accommodations. Based on data from Bioscore Sustainability certifications for more than 500 hotels, the report confirms growing awareness and adoption of measures, but also identifies a long way to go in implementing advanced solutions.

 

  • Main findings of the study

 

  1. Widespread monitoring: 93% of hotels record their water consumption and 77% set reduction targets.
  2. Gap between intentions and results: Only 46% achieve the set goals.
  3. Low technological adoption: Only 8% have gray or rainwater recovery systems.
  4. Poorly verified water footprint: Although 45% calculate their water footprint, only 5% validate it externally.
  5. Segmentation by type: Hotels with fewer than 4 stars show greater relative efficiency, while luxury hotels excel in measurement but have room for improvement in consumption per stay, especially in pools and spas.

 

This report proposes a series of best practices, including the following:

 

  1. Install low-flow toilets and faucets in all areas of the hotel.
  2. Use smart irrigation systems and pool covers to reduce evaporation.
  3. Conduct regular water audits and risk assessments in water-stressed areas.
  4. Staff training and actively involve guests in responsible water use.

 

The full report can be found on the Instituto Tecnológico Hotelero website at the following link.