Developing sustainability strategies for hospitality organisations
A hospitality sustainability strategy is a structured plan that defines an organisation’s sustainability priorities, governance structures and measurable targets, aligned with recognised frameworks such as GSTC or ESG standards.
Sustainability in hospitality increasingly requires structured strategies that connect environmental performance, operational practices and organisational governance.
HOLITRA supports hospitality organisations in developing sustainability strategies aligned with international frameworks, market expectations and long-term business objectives. As the Strategy pillar of the HOLITRA Hospitality Sustainability System, it defines clear priorities and provides a structured roadmap for implementation, certification planning and measurable progress.
HOW IT WORKS
Scope of sustainability strategy development
01
Strategic objectives
Definition of strategic sustainability objectives aligned with business priorities.
02
Governance & responsibilities
Design of governance structures, roles and organisational responsibilities.
03
Operational integration
Integration of sustainability into operational processes across properties.
04
Framework alignment
Alignment with recognised sustainability frameworks and certification requirements.
05
Targets & KPIs
Definition of measurable targets, KPIs and performance indicators.
01
Energy, water and emissions
Which reduction targets are realistic for this property, which measures come first, and how the investment is sequenced across the years available.
02
Waste and food waste
Which waste stream to tackle first and what a credible reduction target looks like — usually the fastest area to produce a result worth reporting.
03
Procurement and suppliers
The purchasing criteria the organisation will apply, prioritised by spend and risk, and what the supplier portfolio should look like in three years.
04
Building and technical systems
A capital plan sequenced around what the asset actually permits, so operational targets are not set above the ceiling the building imposes.
05
People and workplace
Who owns sustainability at leadership level, how responsibility is distributed across departments, and which social commitments the organisation is prepared to make.
06
Guests and communication
What the property will claim about its sustainability, on what evidence, and who approves a claim before it is published.
THE SIX AREAS
Areas the strategy covers
A strategy is a set of decisions about where to spend effort first. These are the six areas those decisions cover — sequenced around what your property, your guests and your ambition actually require.
WHAT YOU GET
Key outcomes
01
A structured roadmap
Structured sustainability strategy and implementation roadmap.
02
Clear governance
Clear governance structures, roles and organisational responsibilities.
03
Measurable targets
Defined sustainability targets, KPIs and performance indicators.
04
Certification readiness
Alignment with relevant international frameworks and certification requirements.
05
Foundation for implementation
Strategic foundation for implementation, certification and long-term performance management.
Go deeper
Two articles on what a hotel sustainability strategy looks like in practice, and how investment priorities actually get decided.
What a Hotel Sustainability Strategy Actually Looks Like
Hotel Sustainability Investment Priorities
FAQs
FAQs - Sustainability Strategy in Hospitality
What does a hospitality sustainability strategy include?
A hospitality sustainability strategy is a structured plan that defines an organisation’s sustainability priorities, governance structures and measurable targets, and aligns them with recognised frameworks such as GSTC or ESG standards. It typically results in a roadmap covering priorities, KPIs, certification planning and implementation steps.
Which areas does a hotel sustainability strategy actually cover?
A HOLITRA sustainability strategy covers six areas: energy, water and emissions; waste and food waste; procurement and suppliers; the building and its technical systems; people and workplace; and what the property communicates to guests. For each one the strategy answers the same three questions — what the target is, which measure comes first, and who is accountable — so the result is a set of decisions rather than a list of intentions.
How is a sustainability strategy different from a sustainability assessment?
An assessment evaluates where an organisation currently stands; a strategy defines where it should go and how to get there. HOLITRA typically develops a strategy on the basis of a prior sustainability assessment, translating identified gaps and opportunities into prioritised objectives and a realistic implementation roadmap.
Does a sustainability strategy need to address certification and ESG reporting separately?
No. Within HOLITRA’s approach, strategy, certification and ESG reporting are treated as connected parts of one system rather than separate workstreams. A well-structured strategy anticipates certification criteria (e.g. GSTC, EU Ecolabel) and reporting frameworks (e.g. GRI) from the outset, reducing duplicated work later.
Who is typically involved in developing the strategy?
Strategy development typically involves ownership or senior management, relevant department heads and, where applicable, representatives across multiple properties or at portfolio level. HOLITRA facilitates this process directly with senior expertise throughout, consistent with its boutique, owner-managed advisory model.
How long does it take to develop a sustainability strategy?
The timeline depends on the size and complexity of the organisation, and typically builds on a prior sustainability assessment. For a single property, strategy development is usually completed within a few weeks; multi-property portfolios or hotel groups generally require a longer, phased process aligned with governance and stakeholder input.
Next step: Operational Implementation
Translate your sustainability strategy into operational processes, governance structures and measurable actions.
Connect with us
Discuss how to define your sustainability strategy, priorities and roadmap for implementation.