In pursuit of sustainable hospitality
The inescapable reality of nature’s power was served raw by Covid-19. The pandemic’s impact has been, remains, and continues to be severe. Serving an explicit warning of something altogether more ominous moving toward our horizon’s, climate change.
Prior to the pandemic sustainability was placed selectively in the background by many. This was true of people in hospitality, as it was for others, with some notable exceptions. The necessity of surviving the Covid-19 pandemic became, and remains a priority for most hospitality businesses. But, with an even more insidious threat on our doorstep all efforts to make hospitality more sustainable are essential.
The image of hospitality pre-pandemic will never be seen again and any hope of a return will lead to disappointment. Too much time has elapsed, consumer behaviour has changed, demanding of new experiences to justify patronage.
The change in wants and needs driving consumer behaviour are along a path searching for a more sustainable future. With far greater emphasis being placed in rewarding businesses delivering products and services perceived as sustainable with more custom. The evidence is all around us.
Boston Consulting Group through their international survey – The Pandemic Is Heightening Environmental Awareness – reported the pandemic making people more concerned in addressing environmental challenges, as well as being more committed to changing their own behaviour to advance sustainability. Spending changed positively where product and service brands were perceived to be positive in tackling climate change and/or implementing best practice in sustainability.
Deloitte produced a report – How is the pursuit of a more sustainable lifestyle reflected in consumer behaviour? – based on an identical sample base both pre and during the pandemic to measure how attitudes and actions had changed, again positively towards sustainability.
In pursuit of sustainable hospitality
To take a first-hand look at how hospitality providers and suppliers are together presenting consumers with sustainable hospitality, H&C News will be travelling around the country to experience and report on progress being made. Starting next month with Meiko UK in Slough, Berkshire.
The original version of this article was first published in Hospitality and Catering News
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