Beijing, April 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Hospitality Industry Sustainability Forum," jointly organized by KEDGE Business School Marseille, France, Shanghai UBM Sinoexpo International Exhibition Co., Ltd., and SGS, the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, was recently held during the 24th Shanghai International Hospitality Equipment & Supplies Expo (HOTELEX Shanghai). The forum focused on the progress of social responsibility and sustainable development in China's hospitality industry, aiming to create an efficient platform for learning and communication among participants, and to promote awareness and implementation of sustainability within the domestic hotel service sector.
Peter Hvidberg, Global Business Manager for the Hospitality Industry at SGS (second from right), was invited to attend the Hospitality Industry Sustainability Forum
The Shanghai International Hospitality Equipment & Supplies Expo (HOTELEX Shanghai), as one of the largest, most influential, and highest-level exhibitions in the global hospitality and catering industry, introduced the topic of sustainability for the first time at this event. The aim is to encourage more companies to integrate social responsibility and sustainability with their corporate strategy, brand, innovation, and execution, thereby helping business decision-makers better leverage the value of corporate social responsibility and generate truly long-term benefits. The forum also specially invited experts in sustainability research, as well as leaders in sustainability initiatives from hotels and hotel procurement and supply chain enterprises, to share their experiences in their respective fields.
Professor Wang Hua from KEDGE Business School Marseille, France, first provided a detailed introduction to the current state of the hospitality industry and potential solutions from three aspects: "sustainability within the hotel itself," "sustainability of the external environment," and "sustainability of internal interactions within the hotel." At the same time, many leading companies in the industry, including Philips, also shared best practices on how to combine their own strengths with sustainability.
Peter Hvidberg, Global Business Manager for the Hospitality Industry at SGS, stated at the forum: As a third-party organization, SGS has also been involved in internal audits for Philips. The driving forces behind sustainability in the hospitality industry mainly include: cost control, financial and economic incentives, marketing and brand image, compliance with international conventions, enhancing customer experience, and improving corporate compliance. The sustainability of the hospitality industry can be achieved through five steps: first, appealing to consumers' emotions; second, involving customers in the hotel’s own sustainable practices; third, utilizing social and online platforms for promotion to create a unique customer experience; and finally, institutionalizing these sustainable activities through specific systems.
At the same time, Peter also highlighted the three historical stages of sustainability in the hospitality industry:
- In the 1960s and 1970s, hotel operators focused on energy-saving strategies;
- In the 1980s and 1990s, the first hotels with environmental certification systems emerged, and the hospitality industry and brands also launched indoor environmental programs;
- From 2000 to the present, the hospitality industry has expanded the scope of sustainability based on environmental goals and social responsibility systems, establishing partnerships with public and private environmental organizations. Additionally, due to the financial crisis, there has been an increased emphasis on cost-control measures, prompting hotel operators to reassess their equipment and operational processes to reduce costs, as well as to manage energy, water, and hazardous materials more effectively.
The solutions provided by SGS in the hospitality industry also revolve around safety, sustainability, and service. In terms of sustainability, the focus is on helping hotels achieve environmental, energy, and social sustainability. Recently, SGS has partnered with the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to promote the Green Key program within the hospitality industry. This initiative aims to raise awareness among hotel staff and guests about environmental protection, advocate for the use of more sustainable management methods and technologies, and adopt greener approaches to reduce energy and resource consumption. The Green Key program was launched in 1994, and to date, over 2,400 hotels have received Green Key certification.