Post-Pandemic Travel Trends
The latest travel trends reports show a positive shift in the attitude toward sustainable travel.
According to the Sustainable Travel Report by Booking.com, 83% of those surveyed think sustainable travel is vital, with 61% saying the pandemic has made them want to travel more sustainably in the future. 72% of global travelers believe that people must act now to save the planet for future generations.
According to the Airbnb Report on Travel and Living, sustainable tourism and new, unknown destinations have become crucial factors in making travel plans. Overall, it looks like the pandemic has been the tipping point for travelers to commit to their sustainable journey.
This changed mentality of travelers opened new doors for all hosts to tap into the sustainable travel market.
Incorporating sustainable practices into your Airbnb property benefits both the future of our planet and your hosting business.
Sustainable Hosting
Making your hosting business sustainable may sound intimidating and expensive, and many hosts don’t know where or how to start. The good news is if you are an Airbnb host, you are already on the right path:
“Airbnb is built on the foundation that home-sharing delivers authentic experiences for guests while benefiting local people, places, and communities. We firmly believe our community is part of the solution to the challenges of mass tourism and can deliver sustainable growth that benefits everyone.” Nathan Blecharczyk, Airbnb Co-Founder
While hotels are often located in city centers, Airbnb rentals fight trends in mass tourism by distributing tourists across a larger geographic area.
Unlike hotels, Airbnb hosts don’t usually provide daily cleaning options or encourage single-use items (coffee filters, toiletries, etc.), therefore, saving water supplies and reducing plastic waste.
Airbnb hosts provide their guests with recommendations for local businesses: cafes, restaurants, galleries, etc. This way, the money stays in the local economy and benefits the entire community.
Airbnb guests have the option to book stays in every type of home you can imagine: smart homes, net-zero homes, homes in rural areas, secluded cabins, tents, spare rooms, etc. In some cases, this is the first introduction to sustainability for people otherwise unfamiliar with this lifestyle. People who experience a sustainable way of life on vacation are more likely to bring those ideas home and introduce them in their own lives.
As you can see, Airbnb rentals are generally more sustainable than traditional accommodation services, and you are already part of the movement that is changing the travel industry.
But don’t relax just yet! With some simple and relatively inexpensive investments and a change of habits, you can reduce your waste, recycle more resources, save more energy and water, educate your guests, and encourage the changes essential for our future.
How to Reduce Your Rental’s Footprint
Sustainable tourism is a concept that may include the entire travel experience, but we can focus our efforts toward the following three pillars of sustainability: economic, social, and environmental issues.
If you make an effort to improve in any of those three aspects of sustainability, you are one step closer to achieving it. It is a collective movement with clearly defined goals intended for everyone. Small changes from many individuals can make a huge impact.
When it comes to the environmental aspects of sustainable tourism, if you can start big and invest in renewable energy sources, go for it. But if not, here are some things you can improve now:
Tips for saving energy
TURN DOWN THE TEMPERATURE ON YOUR WATER HEATER
“In the saving energy fight, the water heater is a born loser“
That’s because water heaters use energy to keep the water warm, whether we need it or not. While they are usually preset to 140 degrees, 120 degrees is the recommended temperature and should be enough for everyone. You can save between 3% and 5% on your monthly bill for every 10 degrees you turn it down.
USE ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHT BULBS
Energy-efficient light bulbs (like CFL and LED) are a low-cost upgrade that doesn't require any infrastructure or electrical tweaks.
“Upgrading the planet's light sources to 100% LED could save the planet nearly $5 trillion over equipment lifetime and prevent nearly 18 gigatons of CO2 emissions between now and 2050 (eco watch.com).”
WEATHERPROOF YOUR AIRBNB UNIT
Weatherproof your door and window frames with weather stripping to better insulate them. This inexpensive and easy home improvement will help you save on heating and cooling costs and reduce environmental stress.
REPLACE YOUR THERMOSTAT
Smart thermostats with automated controllers allow you to adjust the temperature based on your check-in and check-out times and have more control over energy consumption in your rental unit.
REPLACE YOUR HOME APPLIANCES
Home appliances such as washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, etc., account for about 20% of your home’s electricity bill. When it’s time to buy new appliances, choose ones with high energy-efficient ratings. They use anywhere between 10% and 50% less energy and will reduce your energy bill for years to come.
Tips for saving water
INSTALL LOW-FLOW FIXTURES
By installing low-flow fixtures, you can prevent extensive water usage in your rental unit. Low-flow fixtures use less water to accomplish everyday activities such as showering, washing hands, or flushing the toilet and can reduce the amount of water your guests use by up to 60%.
Sustainable household essentials
SWICH FROM SINGLE-USE TO REUSABLE HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
Stock up on reusable cleaning supplies such as reusable sponges and microfiber cleaning cloths.
Use refillable instead of single-use containers for toiletries and cleaning products.
Provide reusable and washable shopping bags for your guests.
Provide reusable water and coffee cups and food storage containers that your guests can use outside the rental space.
Avoid coffee makers that use plastic pods.
USE NON-TOXIC HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
Provide cleaning products, soap, laundry detergent, toiletries, etc., that are natural, non-toxic, and biodegradable.
SWICH TO ORGANIC FABRICS
Once it’s time to replace your textile products such as sheets and towels invest in organic fabric. The organic fabric is a natural fabric manufactured using organic production systems. These fibers are grown in controlled settings with no pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or toxic chemicals harmful to people and ecosystems.
USE WOOL DRYER BALLS
Wool dryer balls are the eco-friendly alternative for a liquid fabric softener. They help soften fabrics, retain the heat, and boost the drying process. This way, laundry dries faster, and a dryer reduces energy consumption.
Tips for recycling and composting
ENCOURAGE YOUR GUESTS TO RECYCLE
Each country has different recycling regulations that you can usually find on your government’s website. Educate your guests on your local rules and provide labeled recycling bins for recyclable items.
ENCOURAGE YOUR GUESTS TO COMPOST
In addition to the recycling bins, you can include an extra bin for composting. Explain to your guests how they can turn organic kitchen waste into a nutrient-rich soil additive and reduce their impact on the environment and climate change.
As an Airbnb host, you can create house manuals and guide books to enrich your listings and help your guests navigate a new rental space and town.
In the house manual, you can include your guide for sustainability:
Remind guests to unplug electronic devices, lights, and AC when they’re not in use.
Explain to your guests how to use quick-wash or eco settings on the appliances.
Include detailed instructions for recycling and composting.
Let your guests know how much water they can save by taking shorter showers.
You can apply the same principle in your guide books as well:
Encourage your guests to use public transport, bike, or walk instead of driving. You can help them by adding bus, subway, or train schedules and including the best routes to local attractions and establishments worth visiting.
Tell your guests about local restaurants, cafes, farmers’ markets, or shops that sell local and sustainable products.
By practicing and promoting sustainable tourism, you will motivate some of your guests to care about the subject more and attract guests who practice a sustainable lifestyle to choose your Airbnb property.
In 2021, Airbnb introduced the sustainability education series to create content with guides and tips for sustainable hosting. I enjoy the written and visual content of the Airbnb blog, so I highly recommend referring to it for new knowledge and inspiration.
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