How digital solutions empower hotels to operate more sustainably
The Paperless Era Backed by Digital Solutions
The landscape of travel has undergone a profound transformation. Responsible travel, once considered niche, has now become a priority for the majority. Exploring new horizons is now intricately linked with our commitment to environmental preservation.
This desire for a greener experience is underpinned by these recent findings:
A Skift State of Travel report showcases hotels are embracing a digital transformation to cater for the demand in sustainable tourism.
A whopping 87% of respondents in The Vacationer's survey emphasise the importance of sustainable travel.
Expedia's study reveals that 60% of travellers are willing to pay extra for sustainable trips.
The World Travel & Tourism Council, Trip.com, and Deloitte report that 69% of travellers actively seek sustainable options.
Booking.com's Sustainable Travel Report 2022 highlights that 81% of global travellers prioritize sustainable travel; climate change influences purchase decisions for half of these travellers, and over 80% of global consumers prefer sustainable businesses.
How Can Hoteliers Achieve a Paperless Experience?
The demand is real; guests are putting more emphasis on eco-friendly experiences, but how can hotels meet this requirement? By digitalising the guest experience as much as possible, hotels can reduce paper consumption, minimise waste and streamline resources.
Here are some examples of how a hotel can operate more sustainably and digitise the guest journey:-
Digital Menus
Through QR codes in rooms, at tables or throughout hotels/restaurants, guests can access and order food and drink items online on an F&B app, on their own devices, whenever and wherever they are. No more paper menus, discarded waste and costly re-prints every time there’s a change.
Plus, there’s no need to physically replace menus in every room or at every table when there’s an update - amends get updated online at the click of a button.
Digital Guest Directories
Digital Guest Directories are modern-day replacements for the paper directories that were standard in every hotel room and foyer. Digital versions (via a tablet or mobile device) enable seamless access to a hotel’s facilities and information where guests can request services, book amenities, and make reservations.
Guests can also get information about the local area for recommendations, maps and destination guides to help plan their daily activities and enhance their overall stay.
Mobile Concierge
Guests can send real-time service requests to the relevant hotel staff via their mobile devices. This can be achieved through SMS, email, or voice notifications that will help staff quickly view and respond to these requests appropriately in a quick and effective manner.
A more efficient approach to resolving and answering customer queries.
Benefits of Going Paperless
The benefits are significant and long-lasting. By implementing a paperless guest journey, operators are not only helping the environment and demonstrating sustainable practices, they are also improving operations, reducing resources and meeting guest demands. Take a look at some of the benefits below:-
Going Beyond Saving Trees
Eliminating the use of paper saves trees, but it can go beyond that - hotel financial and operational resources are also being saved. Reduction in the cost of printing can be unlocked and reallocated towards enhancing the guest experience and other areas of the hotel.
There are also time-saving opportunities: Updates will no longer take time to be reprinted with a simple update possible online.
Perform Well For ESG Criteria
The benefits of embracing a paperless experience are not limited to just operational efficiencies, it also aligns with guest expectations and the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. Demonstrating sustainable practice, hotels not only meet customer expectations but also position themselves as leaders in responsible hospitality.
This enhances your hotel’s overall reputation and is key to attracting future business.
Reducing Paper Consumption
Every action towards a paperless experience is a step towards sustainability. By diminishing paper consumption, hotels contribute to the global movement to reduce environmental impact.
As a result, hotels become active players in mitigating their carbon footprint, aligning with the growing preference for businesses that prioritize environmental responsibility.
Enhancing Revenue and the Guest Experience
Adopting a paperless and digital transformation will allow hotels to unlock enhanced revenue streams. The seamless accessibility of digital information, services, and recommendations enhances the overall guest experience.
By catering to modern travellers' preference for digital convenience, hotels foster loyalty and satisfaction, translating into repeat visits and positive reviews.
Cost-Free Updates
One of the most significant advantages of going paperless is the elimination of constraints. In a paper-based world, changes and updates often meant costly reprints and distribution. The paperless approach frees hotels from this cycle, enabling updates that are cost-free and instantaneous.
Menus can evolve with the culinary journey, event details can stay current, and allergen information can be updated in real-time — all without incurring additional expenses.
Flexibility on the Fly
Information can be edited, added, or modified on the fly. New offerings, seasonal changes, special events, and altered ingredients can be seamlessly integrated into the digital ecosystem.
This agility ensures that guests are consistently provided with accurate and current information, enhancing their overall experience.
Resource Redirection
The financial advantages of a paperless shift extend far beyond mere printing costs. Resources that were once dedicated to paper and ink can now be channelled toward innovative initiatives that drive profitability. Whether it's enhancing facilities, investing in staff training, or introducing eco-friendly amenities, the possibilities for resource redirection are limitless.
Customer Stories
Hear how our customers are benefitting from going paperless with the IRIS F&B and guest experience app:-
Sheraton Grand Mirage
“Online ordering has enabled us to operate more sustainably.
The digital menus have minimised the amount of printing we do, thereby saving paper (especially with the poolside menus which often got ruined and had to be thrown away) and reducing costs.”
Llewellyn De Souza, Director of Food & Beverage
Ritz Carlton New York, NoMad
“We must go with the times and offer our guests a digital experience.
We’ve gone paperless as much as we can – by eliminating paper menus and directories in rooms, the hotel is saving paper, reducing printing costs and operating more sustainably.”
Lauren Puttini, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage
W Hotel Brisbane
“With the digital menus, the hotel has reduced printing costs (and staff resources) and eliminated the need for 312 paper menus in each room and across the hotel.
The scannable QR codes in the rooms provide guests with an easy means of accessing the digital menus and information on guest services.”
Narinder Singh, Director of Beverage & Food
From Digital Menus to Eco-Friendly Experiences:
IRIS are Transforming Hotels Through Sustainable Digital Innovations.
See How Your Hotel Can Meet Modern Guests Demand with IRIS
Speak to an IRIS Specialist and learn how our services can help your hotel enhance your guests’ experience.
