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Eco-tourism is a concept that has been rising in popularity in recent years. However, studies show that eco-tourism is only possible to implement with the aid of the community. To make efforts sustainable and ensure long-term success, it’s important to encourage local businesses, tourists and governments to work together.
In London, there are initiatives to transform into an eco-friendly and smart city. But what about the local businesses and tourists? Can multi-property owners pitch to help in this endeavour? The answer to that is, YES!
Shortlets, once transformed into eco-friendly havens, can be used to promote eco-tourism. It’ll attract eco-conscious guests and make implementing green and sustainable practices easier during their stay. Through these green getaways, multi-property owners can enjoy better occupancy rates and maximum rental income potential without the negative environmental impact.
In the article, you’ll discover more about eco-tourism and how you can transform shortlets to promote sustainability to guests and tourists. With the right strategy, you can take part in the global call to practice sustainability while positioning your short-term rentals to perform profitably.
What is Eco-Tourism?
Coghlan’s study of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in 2012 proves that we can provide a satisfying experience for tourists while still conserving natural resources and protecting local communities. This is the very essence of eco-tourism.
It promotes responsible and sustainable travel. The goal is to positively impact the local environment and community without compromising the experience of tourists and travellers.
It follows a few principles.
The first is the conservation of the natural environment. Eco-tourism prioritises the protection and preservation of the natural landscape, habitat and wildlife.
The second is the empowerment of local communities. Eco-tourism ensures the involvement of local communities in tourism activities so businesses can profit and livelihoods will thrive. It also promotes the local culture through education and preservation initiatives.
The third is awareness. A huge part of eco-tourism is educating tourists about the local environment, culture and community. The goal is to promote understanding so travellers will develop a deeper respect for what the destination can offer.
The fourth is a positive travel experience. Tourists fund the success of eco-tourism so their experience matters. There’s a need to come up with a memorable travel experience so tourists will be enticed to visit.
The fifth is sustainable living. The overall goal of eco-tourism is to promote sustainable living for both tourists and local communities because it benefits the environment. This should be the foundation of every business, activity or event under the banner of eco-tourism.
Where do short-term rentals fit in all these?
Tourists need a place to stay when they travel. As a multi-property owner, your properties can be used to attract eco-conscious guests. If you can provide greener gateways and eco-friendly havens, you can enjoy more bookings, better occupancy rates and higher rental fees.
How Short Lets Can Promote Eco-Tourism
Tourism plays a significant role in driving demand for short-term rentals. Eco-tourism won’t be an exception. Multi-property owners can turn this into a beneficial partnership. Eco-tourism can supply the demand while shortlets can ensure proper implementation of sustainable accommodations and travel.
As a property owner, you can position your shortlets to become eco-friendly havens that’ll attract tourists driven by eco-tourism. Here are the different ways you can achieve this.
Use sustainable products
Short-term rentals provide amenities and toiletries for guests during their stay and use cleaning products to maintain the property. Make sure the products you supply are sustainable and come from local green companies. Source organic or biodegradable soap and recycled products. You should also consider using non-toxic cleaning products.
You’ll be hitting two birds with one stone here. You can promote sustainability by supporting local businesses while keeping a positive impact on the environment.
Encourage eco-friendly practices
Design your shortlets to encourage eco-friendly practices. For instance, you can install low-flow faucets and use energy-efficient appliances. This promotes energy and water conservation.
You can also provide different bins for trash so guests will learn how to separate the biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. Put up signs to inform them of the waste management rules you’re implementing.
You should also encourage them to minimise waste by providing reusable containers. You can even provide reusable shopping bags they can use when they go around. If they don’t do this back home, you’ve just given them an idea that they copy to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Provide instructions to use public transport
Short-term guests won’t stay in your property all the time because their goal is to experience the city of London. Help them practice sustainability even as they tour the city by giving them instructions to use public transport. Private vehicles may be comfortable but they produce almost 91 million tonnes of carbon dioxide - which is more than 90% of the carbon dioxide emissions from UK domestic transport.
Encourage them to use public transport or provide bikes that they can use to go around. Educate them about the carbon footprint involved so they’ll know how much they’re contributing if they choose more sustainable travel options.
Promote local businesses, activities and attractions
One of the principles of eco-tourism is to support local businesses to help them thrive. You can do the same by providing guests with a list of businesses, activities and attractions that they can enjoy during their stay.
You can also create partnerships with these businesses by giving guests vouchers or discounts. This will encourage guests to try out local stores, farmer’s markets and other restaurants in the neighbourhood.
This will benefit the community and give guests a taste of the local culture and cuisine.
Educate guests
Provide relevant information to help guests enjoy a sustainable lifestyle during their stay. Apart from educating them about sustainable products, energy and water conservation, recycling and waste reduction, you can also educate them about local environmental issues. If there are unique cultural events highlighting these issues, give guests information about these as well.
Come up with welcome packs for guests with booklets they can use during their stay. Help them connect to the area so it promotes a respectful form of eco-tourism.
Learn Eco Tourism from Property Experts
Eco-tourism is a growing trend that can boost the demand for short-term rentals. It presents an opportunity for you to adopt sustainable practices and encourage guests to do the same. By turning your rental property into an eco-friendly haven, you can attract eco-conscious guests and enjoy improved occupancy rates and rental income.
Your support of eco-tourism won’t just benefit your property portfolio, it’ll also lead to a positive contribution to the environment.
If you want to transform your properties to make them more sustainable, partnering with a property management company will make it easier to implement. Companies like Opago specialise in transforming short-term rentals into green getaways. We offer end-to-end property management services that include marketing, guest communications, in-house cleaning and maintenance, etc. We also get our amenities and toiletries from sustainable companies.
Let us know if you’d like to work together in turning your properties into sustainable homes. Contact us so we can discuss your options.
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