Sustainability as a Guest Experience Strategy: How Eco-Conscious Practices Drive Bookings & Loyalty

The future of hospitality is green—and travelers are voting with their wallets.

• 76% of travelers want sustainable accommodations. This demand isn't just about saving the planet; it's also good for business. Properties prioritizing sustainability can attract a broader audience and command higher rental prices. 
• The same report also highlights that 43% of travelers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly stays.
• Around 40% of travelers are willing to pay more for hotels with green certifications, highlighting their growing importance in decision-making.

This isn’t just about saving the planet—it’s a profit-driving strategy that enhances guest experiences, cuts costs, increases repeat guests, and future-proofs your business.

In this edition, we will discuss how to turn sustainability into your competitive advantage.

Why Sustainability = Winning Guest Experiences

Today’s guests crave stays that align with their values. By embedding sustainability into your operations, you:

✅ Attract high-value travelers: Expedia's 2022 survey found that nearly two-thirds of travelers are willing to spend more to make their trip sustainable.

✅ Boost ratings & reviews: Properties that follow sustainability efforts get better ratings from travelers.

✅ Slash operational costs: LED lighting alone cuts energy bills by 75%.

✅ Win corporate clients: According to a report by GBTA, 65% of European and North American business travel leaders prefer green hotels, and there is a strong emphasis on sustainability in corporate travel policies. 

How Can Property Managers Implement Sustainability?

1. Energy & Water: Low-Cost, High-Impact Upgrades

• Smart thermostats: Smart thermostats help you in saving HVAC costs.
• Low-flow fixtures: These fixtures help you to reduce water waste by decreasing the flow of the water.
• Solar panels: The Proximity Hotel (NC) cut energy use by 36% and earned LEED Platinum—while delighting guests.

2. Waste Reduction: Small Changes, Big Perceptions

• Bulk toiletries: Buying bulk toiletries instead of single-use plastics will significantly reduce plastic and product waste. It will also become a cheaper alternative for your vacation rentals while earning you sustainability points.
• Digital check-ins/guidebooks: Digital welcome books will reduce paper waste, and you can send them to guests before check-ins, helping them plan their trip better.
• Compost programs: By creating your compost pits, you can significantly reduce the waste you will otherwise divert to landfills. The compost pits will also give you natural manure for your gardens or can be sold to local farms, becoming a win-win for all. 

3. Amenities That Wow Eco-Conscious Guests

• Reusable water bottles: Giving guests reusable water bottles and refill stations allows them to fill their own or your bottles repeatedly without generating a ton of plastic waste. 
• EV charging stations: Airbnb reports that listings with EV chargers are booked for more nights and generate more income than those without.
• Local/organic toiletries: Offering local and organic toiletries enhances the guest experience by providing healthier options, supports local economies, reduces environmental impact, and differentiates vacation rentals from competitors, attracting health-conscious travelers.

4. Turn Guests into Sustainability Partners

• "Green Stay" perks: Offer a free coffee for reusing towels.
• Eco-tour partnerships: Eco-tour partnerships, such as farm visits and conservation hikes, promote sustainable tourism by supporting local economies, enhancing biodiversity, and providing immersive educational experiences for travelers. These can also be a good upselling opportunity for property managers.
• Sustainability dashboards: They allow guests to track their energy use in real-time, promoting environmentally responsible choices during their stay. These platforms provide guests with interactive tools to monitor their room's energy consumption, such as electricity and heating or cooling, encouraging them to make more energy-efficient decisions.

Marketing Your Green Credentials

Certifications That Pay Off

• LEED, Green Key, EarthCheck: Properties with certifications or badges from independent third-party organizations get more bookings than regular vacation rentals.

OTAs & Listings

• Use “Eco-Friendly” tags on Airbnb/Booking.com to attract eco-conscious travelers. 
• Highlight local partnerships, e.g., “Toiletries sourced from [nearby farm].”

Social Proof

• Share guest reviews about your eco-friendly features and sustainability efforts on social media channels. 
• Film a 1-minute video tour of your sustainability features.

Measuring Success

Your Action Plan: Start Small, Scale Fast

1. This month: Swap to LED bulbs + add recycling bins.
2. Next quarter: Install smart thermostats + partner with a local eco-tour.
3. By year-end: Pursue Green Key certification.

Remember: Guests don’t expect perfection—they value visible effort.

Sustainability isn’t a cost—it’s an investment in guest loyalty and profitability. Most of your sustainability efforts will pay for themselves in a few months. 

Ready to maximize returns on your sustainability investments? PriceLabs' data-driven pricing tools help you:

• Charge premium pricing for vacation rentals with eco-friendly features using PriceLabs Dynamic Pricing. 
• Analyze your market using the PriceLabs Market Dashboard.
• Track ROI on your sustainability upgrades using Portfolio Analytics.

Start your free trial to know more!

Explore More: Recently Published Blogs 📚

Looking for more insights and strategies? Check out our latest blogs for actionable tips and industry updates:

• How Vacation Rental Property Managers Can Score Big During the NFL Draft 2025
• How to Use Vacation Rental Market Data to Drive Your Innovation Strategy?
• Short-term Rental Crisis Management
• Vacation Rental Conferences to Attend in 2025

Stay informed and ahead of the curve with expert advice tailored for property managers and revenue experts!

What’s your #1 sustainability goal this year? Comment below, and we will share actionable tips with you! 🌿