City Lodge Hotels shares sustainability successes

City Lodge Hotels is at the forefront of the hospitality industry's shift towards sustainable tourism, aligning with the evolving preferences of modern travellers as revealed by the recent World Travel Market London. The global shift towards sustainability is underlined by Euromonitor's identification of eight distinct traveller segments, all of which exhibit a keen interest in eco-friendly practices.

According to Euromonitor's Head of Research, Caroline Bremner, sustainability is a common thread weaving through various traveller segments. The research indicates that 79% of eco-adventurers and cultural explorers are willing to pay up to 10% more for sustainable travel features.

City Lodge Hotels, recognising the paramount importance of sustainability, has significantly expanded its green initiatives. Their commitment to environmental responsibility is elucidated in the Integrated Report 2023 under the "Natural Capital" section, outlining their meticulous approach to balance renewable and non-renewable resources.

Notable Achievements for the 2023 Financial Year:

• Average water consumed per occupied room reduced to 0.35kl from 0.39kl in 2022.
• Average electricity consumed per occupied room decreased to 19.5 kWh from 22.5 kWh in 2022.
• Energy produced by solar/PV installations reached 2.2 million kWh, with the capacity to generate 3.5 million kWh.
• 65% of eggs served across the group are now cage-free, surpassing the 2022 figure of 55%.

Electricity Management:

City Lodge Hotels, faced with frequent power outages, has adopted a multifaceted approach to electricity management. The group has invested £20 million in installing 4,250 solar panels at 25 hotels, generating over 2 million kWh annually. By November 2023, 16 additional hotels had solar panels installed, taking the total generating capacity across all 41 hotels to 3.5MWh.

Water Management:

Efforts to improve water efficiency include reducing the number of rooms with baths to 60%, installing low-flow showerheads and taps, and increasing the use of borehole water. Despite a 27.1% increase in total water consumption due to higher occupancy, the average water consumed per occupied room decreased by 10.3%.

Waste Management:

City Lodge Hotels has revived its recycling efforts and aims to eliminate food waste to landfills, aligning with regional regulations. A partnership with Organic Matters ensures responsible extraction and recycling of cooking oil and grease, setting new waste management standards in the industry.

Animal Welfare:

The group remains committed to serving only 100% cage-free eggs across all operations by 2025, partnering with Humane Society International-Africa.

Future Goals:

City Lodge Hotels pledges to address sustainability issues in the coming year, including non-hazardous waste recycling and reducing single-use plastic waste.

CEO Andrew Widegger affirms the hotel's commitment, stating, "Sustainability truly flourishes when integrated into our day-to-day operations, yielding measurable results." City Lodge Hotels stands as a beacon of sustainable hospitality, setting an example for the industry and fostering a collective journey towards responsible tourism.