VITEC

August 19, 2024 - Sustainability is doubtlessly a top-of-the-list issue industry-wide, especially in the hospitality sector. This industry has, in fact, created a serious threat of carbon emissions resulting from the energy used and the subsequent waste, accounting for 5% of world emissions, as approximated by the World Tourism Organization.

As a result, many businesses are now actively seeking innovative technologies to adopt more sustainable practices, from energy consumption to waste management, and ensure their operations minimise environmental impact while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Richard Neville, Chief Technology Officer at VITEC, says: “There is growing awareness of the role that technology can play in helping hotels provide highly customised guest experiences while also hitting their sustainability targets. Let’s face it, hotel guests want to feel pampered. They want to feel like special consideration has been taken for them specifically. IPTV, Video on Demand, and interactive services can offer that unique and tailored experience. There are many advantages from a sustainability standpoint as well, ranging from IPTV systems’ higher energy efficiency over conventional cable or satellite TV systems to their simple reduction of paper waste.”

"There is growing awareness of the role that technology can play in helping hotels provide highly customised guest experiences while also hitting their sustainability targets." — Richard Neville, Chief Technology Officer at VITEC

IPTV technology is making waves, shaping the future of sustainable hospitality. Interactive services not only provide a unique and personalised customer experience, allowing guests to enjoy all of a hotel’s services and facilities from the comfort of their in-room TVs, but smart technology can also be a great way for businesses to improve their sustainability and cut down on carbon emissions. This helps reduce energy wastage and consumption, and even save on energy bills. This blog will explore how technological upgrades can benefit businesses in the hospitality sector on their journey to sustainability.

Benefits of using innovative technology across the hospitality sector 

Saving Energy

Most IPTV systems, for instance, are generally energy-efficient compared to traditional cable or satellite TV systems. Traditional systems may require a different set-top box in each room, which can be very consuming in terms of energy. IPTV works with the existing infrastructure and thus requires little or no new hardware. Current solutions in IPTV will accommodate integration with hotel energy management systems that switch off TVs automatically when rooms are not occupied. This way, energy wastage can be significantly reduced.

Minimising Paper Waste

In-room paper materials like TV guides, menus, and promotional brochures lead to a great amount of waste. IPTV can replace them with digital content accessible right through television, thus not requiring printed material and ensuring current information is always up to date. Digital check-in and check-out processes reduce the number of printed receipts and paper forms that need to be used.

Encouraging Eco-conscious Customers

Eco-conscious guests appreciate efforts to reduce environmental impact. IPTV can enhance the guest experience by offering features that align with sustainability goals. The more eco-conscious customers the business attracts, the more likely they are to treat the hotel or cruise liner with sustainability in mind. This means that customers are likely to ensure that waste is recycled correctly, and that lights and devices are switched off when not in use. Not only can sustainable hospitality be used as a marketing tool, but it might also attract customers who will ensure these standards are upheld.

Enhancing Sustainability

Smart room technologies, such as automated lighting, climate control, and occupancy sensors, are another way to significantly reduce energy usage. Light and door sensors can ensure that your hotel or cruise ship is only using energy when absolutely necessary. Not only can they detect activity, but these technologies are also designed to use less energy overall—with LED bulbs using less energy per wattage than older models of lighting.

As more travellers prioritise eco-friendly accommodations, the use of these technologies will be vital in advancing the future of sustainable hospitality. Hotels and cruise liners are being looked at for their Environmental Social Governance (ESG) more than ever, so being able to meet these standards is important not only for regulation needs but also for your customer’s satisfaction. The three “R”’s of reduce, reuse, and recycle should be started with a focus on reducing in every aspect. The choice of technology can severely determine how much energy a business uses and wastes a day. Investing in IPTV and other smart technologies not only benefits the environment but also enhances brand reputation and operational efficiency.

To see our sustainability approach and values, see here.