Tourism And Ecology: 5 Tips On How To Be “Green” While Also Saving Money?

Sustainable development is a term that surrounds us from all sides today. We most often associate it with “green” practices – reducing waste, saving energy, avoiding single-use plastics, and caring for the environment. However, sustainable development is a much more complex concept because, in addition to ecological, it also includes economic and socio-cultural sustainability. Nevertheless, concern for nature is most often in the public focus, including in private renting.

You probably notice yourself how much we are influenced by product messages emphasizing the ecological awareness of the manufacturer. When you see a label on a plastic water bottle stating it is made from 98% recycled plastic, subconsciously you are more likely to buy it than a competing product. Of course, in practice, this is often greenwashing, where consumers are given the impression of environmental care even if this is not the case. Still, the fact remains that care for nature is deeply ingrained in our awareness and significantly influences our decisions.

Why think about sustainable tourism?

Tourists today increasingly insist on eco-friendly practices when choosing a destination or accommodation. There is a growing number of guests who will select accommodation only if it has an eco-certificate that confirms the host’s genuine care for nature and resources.

This is confirmed by the fact that on Booking.com, one of the largest global travel platforms, there is a filter option “Sustainability Certificate”, which displays only accommodations with the relevant certificates. Booking.com currently works with more than 65 eco-certificate holders, and that number continues to grow.

How can hosts care for the environment?

If you also consider these topics important – and your guests certainly do – you can implement a range of eco-friendly practices in your accommodation units. In the long term, this approach can also allow you to obtain an eco-accommodation certificate, which brings better visibility on booking platforms and an advantage over competitors.

Here are five concrete tips on how to become more sustainable.

How to reduce waste?

We live in a consumer society that generates huge amounts of waste, and during travel, this problem is often amplified. To reduce waste in your apartment or holiday home, provide guests with multiple bins for waste separation and inform them about rules and collection schedules in your area.

If you have a house with a garden, an additional step is setting up a composting area. If that is not possible, consider installing a food waste disposer in the sink, a device that grinds waste and facilitates its easy disposal.

How to reduce water consumption?

The highest water consumption in households occurs during showering and washing. To reduce usage, install aerators on showers and taps. These simple attachments can reduce water consumption by up to 70% without guests even noticing the difference.

How to reduce electricity consumption?

The best solution is installing a solar power system, whose investment usually pays off within seven to eight years, and faster with subsidies. If you are building, plan the layout of rooms to maximize natural light and warmth, and use materials that help stabilize the temperature.

You can also politely ask guests to turn off air conditioning and lights when leaving the property, using small visual reminders that motivate without being intrusive.

How to eliminate single-use plastics?

Single-use plastic is one of the largest sources of waste. Encourage guests to behave responsibly by providing a reusable cloth shopping bag. This already creates a positive impression, and an additional step is a personalized bag with your logo that guests can take home.

You can also leave guests a jug or bottle of water and inform them that tap water in Croatia is safe to drink. This reduces the need to buy bottled water.

Cleaning without harmful chemicals

Cleaning products often contain harmful chemicals that can affect health. Instead, use natural cleaners such as alcohol and vinegar for glass surfaces, or eco-friendly products available on the market.

Pay special attention to dishwasher tablets that may leave chemical residues. Choose eco capsules or consider making your own products using baking soda, citric acid, and salt, which saves money and protects health.

We hope these tips encourage you to make your accommodation more sustainable and eco-friendly. This is good for guests, for you, and for nature. Be sure to highlight all eco-practices to your guests – they will appreciate it and feel part of a shared concern for the environment.

>If you also have ideas or tips on how to be even “greener,” feel free to share them with us via our social media channels.