{"id":18124,"date":"2012-01-26T13:02:38","date_gmt":"2012-01-26T13:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=18124"},"modified":"2021-10-28T16:47:15","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T16:47:15","slug":"survey-of-expedia-consumers-reveals-that-hotels-can-drive-growth-through-sustainability-but-consumer-benefits-are-critical","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/survey-of-expedia-consumers-reveals-that-hotels-can-drive-growth-through-sustainability-but-consumer-benefits-are-critical\/","title":{"rendered":"Survey of Expedia Consumers Reveals That Hotels Can Drive Growth Through Sustainability But Consumer Benefits Are Critical"},"content":{"rendered":"

\tSurvey of Expedia Consumers Reveals That Hotels Can Drive Growth Through Sustainability But Consumer Benefits Are Critical<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\tMore than 60% of consumers will give better ratings to hotels with high indoor air quality, LEED certification, and programs in place to improve energy efficiency, conserve water and recycle<\/div>\n

\t\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tLos Angeles January 24, 2012 \u2013 MindClick SGM and Expedia.com<\/u><\/a>\u00ae <\/u>today announced the results of a study of 5,000 consumers conducted in early January 2012 that measures awareness, expectations and the impact of hotel sustainability efforts. The study revealed that consumers applaud such efforts, but need to better understand the tangible impact to their travel lives.<\/p>\n

\t\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tLearn more about Expedia's Green Travel Programs<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n

\t\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tOver the past decade, hotels have implemented and promoted sustainability programs including greener operations-energy efficiency, water conservation and recycling, and green building through the U.S. Green Building Council\u2019s LEED\u00ae certification program.\u00a0 With operational sustainability awareness levels at 80% among consumers surveyed, the industry has succeeded in telling at least part of the story.<\/p>\n

\t\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tThis means that the concept of hotel sustainability is being factored into hotel purchase consideration. Hotel air quality is a prevailing consumer concern: four in ten consumers list indoor air quality as a highly important in their selection criteria. Hotels that promote higher indoor air quality earn higher favorability ratings among almost two-thirds of consumers surveyed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tAt the same time, the study showed that there is a gap between how the industry communicates its sustainability efforts and the areas of sustainability that consumers see as important. On the one hand, emphasis on promoting the operational aspects of sustainability has resulted in high consumer awareness of energy efficiency, water conservation and recycling. At the same time, in spite of the fact that consumers see air quality as important, only one-third of those surveyed recalled promotion of indoor air quality as part of a hotel\u2019s offering.<\/p>\n

\t\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t75% of the Expedia\u00ae<\/u>consumers surveyed completely agree that sustainability for hospitality should be defined as: building, furnishing and operating hotels in ways that are better for the guest, better for the community and better for the planet<\/em>.\u2122 \u00a0(See below for a listing of some of the questions the survey addressed.)<\/p>\n

\t\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tAccording to MindClick SGM CEO JoAnna Abrams, \u201cBy emphasizing the direct consumer benefits associated with sustainability, especially related to guest health and well-being, hotels have the opportunity to drive growth.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tShe concluded, \u201cSustainability can be integrated into the design, construction, furnishing, and operations in ways that provide guests a better hotel experience while taking care of the community and our planet. Hotels and brands who figure this out first will have a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\u00a0\u201cAs more and more people start to think about their impact on the environment when they travel, Expedia is here to help them find the right trips with sustainable hotels that share their values,” says Joe Megibow, Vice President and General Manager, Expedia\u00ae<\/u>.<\/p>\n

\t\u00a0<\/p>\n

\tAbout the Survey<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

\tFindings are based on the Consumer Sustainability Engagement Report for Hospitality, a survey of Expedia consumers conducted by MindClick SGM in conjunction with Expedia. The report presents the attitudes, perceptions and behaviors of 5,000 U.S. consumers in response to hotel sustainability initiatives.<\/p>\n

\tAmong the topics covered, consumers were asked to respond to questions such as the following:<\/p>\n

\t\u00a0<\/p>\n