strongest allies in its pursuit of greater sustainability, helping reduce carbon footprints while attracting environmentally conscious guests. This dual objective not only ensures the long-term viability of hotel businesses but also provides a competitive advantage in an increasingly sustainability-driven market. Technological Solutions for Sustainable Hotels There are key technologies and practices that increase the potential to enhance sustainability within the hospitality sector: n Bioclimatic architecture and sustainable materials Architectural design has a major influence on a hotel’s energy consumption. Orienting buildings to optimise natural ventilation and daylight, combined with the use of materials with high thermal inertia, reduces the need for heating and cooling.
show that European hotels consumed 39 TWh of energy in the year 2000 — half of which was electricity, generated mainly from fossil fuels. The European Commission further notes that electricity represents 40% of a hotel’s total energy consumption, with 45% devoted to lighting. Similarly, studies such as the HES project suggest that hotels could save between 10% and 15% of their total energy consumption, depending on factors such as the building’s age, size, and maintenance procedures. The Commission also estimates additional potential savings of 15%–20% in heating, 5%–30% in cooling, 40%–70% in hot water, and 7%–60% in lighting. These findings highlight how technological upgrades, together with recently developed methodologies, have become the sector’s
55 CAI Feedback Winter 2025
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