The first two decades of the 21st century have brought a plethora of changes to the world of energy, on a global scale.
Sure, the effects of energy pollution on climate change have been apparent to both the scientific community and the wider public for ages. However, it’s only recently that both countries and large corporate entities have truly seen the need to go green in order to save the planet from negative climate change and actually started working on it.
You’ll find this idea in basically all industries – and, perhaps not quite obviously – the tourism sector. If you want to find out all about hotels embracing renewable energy: read on below!
Hotels embracing renewable energy in Australia
The Australian tourism sector is quite developed. But despite the need to chase profits, the industry leaders in this sector have put a lot of effort into hotels embracing renewable energy in the past couple of years. Plus, with the awareness of climate change becoming basically omnipresent, people have started thinking about the pollution effects even when they choose where they’ll go on holiday. Thus, going green even has some palpable fiscal benefits for the hotels which are willing to invest the time and money to do this. Indeed, it’s become more about the journey, and less about the destination. People don’t want to go to hotels which are obvious contributors to global energy pollution, especially if we’re talking about large resorts, with a major energy footprint.
That’s why an ever-increasing number of hoteliers in Australia have made themselves a mission to change how they view energy consumption. En masse, they’ve begun embarking on a switch to renewable sources of energy. Sure, they’re doing this to help the environment, somewhat; but their main goal is still attracting people going on holiday. And if you ask us, there is nothing wrong with this; a good deed is still good even if it’s driven by self-interest. Plus, you’ll find that industries can have a hard time going green; not only is the transition expensive, but it can be costly to maintain as well. Especially when you need to be transporting commercial supplies in no time, and quick transport usually means leaving a carbon footprint. 
Combining the pleasant with the useful
While most hotels embracing renewable energy still need affordable units for storing commercial supplies and similar amenities, they’re finding ways to utilise their natural locations to sustain themselves via renewable energy. Indeed, the very geographical features which the hotels use to their advantage when it comes to attracting tourists are now used to power them as well. We’re talking about using the natural tidal and solar capacity of remote beach locations, as well as the potential for being powered by geothermal power when it comes to hot spring hotels and resorts.
That’s why you’ll find that in places like Queensland, resorts have been more prone to using solar panels to utilise their locations. Plus, the effort to reduce carbon energy usage is also tied to the need to preserve the Great Barrier Reef which is visited by most of the guests. For resorts which are located in locales that are abundant in desert heat, there’s really no reason not to try using renewable energy sources.
Ecotourism is all the rage
Indeed, ecotourism is becoming a viable way to go on holiday, and more and more hotels are keenly becoming aware of this. For example, take a look at the Bass Strait. This location separates Tasmania from Australia proper. And there, you’ll find ecotourism spots like Flinders Island. The hotels in this intriguing location utilise an energy system based on tidal changes; harnessing the titanic waves which hit the Island’s coastline. Or if you have a look at the Blue Mountains located near Sydney; you’ll also find hotels using wind energy to power themselves almost indefinitely. All of these natural locations allow for sustainability with minimal effort.
This is something that the local tourism sector in Australia is keenly observing in an effort to stay ahead of the curve. In fact, the most remote destinations for a holiday in Australia are actually using it the most. The reason is fairly simple – in such locations, resorts would otherwise have to use smaller sources of fossil fuel power – which are noisy, and could disrupt anyone’s location. Plus, such remote locations usually have the geographical properties which are best suited for hotels embracing renewable energy. Generating diesel-based power would simply be the worst choice, both fiscally and economically. Once the hotels construct sources of solar and wind energy, no further diesel fuel deliveries are needed, while also cutting down on long-term maintenance costs.
The trip itself
Naturally, when people visit far-flung hotels embracing renewable energy, that doesn’t mean that their holiday is completely in sync with their ecological stances. Let’s remember – such trips usually involve carbon-heavy means of transportation, such as long car rides, or flights which are obviously carbon-intensive. But as an increasing number of industries starts caring about building a sustainable world, even this may not present a problem in a couple of years.
In the meantime, eco-conscious customers are finding ways to make up for their carbon-heavy flights to remote locations. A couple of hostel chains in Australia have even made an organised effort for people who book their rooms to donate money towards organisations battling carbon pollution. And once more eco-friendly ways of travelling quickly across greater distances become an option, even this won’t be needed.
This article was kindly written and contributed by Sally Norton.
