{"id":26561,"date":"2024-01-03T15:19:50","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T14:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/?p=26561"},"modified":"2026-02-27T13:24:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T12:24:22","slug":"recognise-sustainable-hotel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/recognise-sustainable-hotel\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Recognise a Sustainable Hotel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yes, sustainable or \u201cgreen\u201d hotels really do exist \u2014 and they\u2019re becoming increasingly popular. More and more travellers want to explore the world without leaving a heavy ecological footprint behind. The good news? You can absolutely enjoy a relaxing hotel holiday while caring for the planet. Next time you book, use the following points as a guide to see how your chosen hotel treats people, animals, and the environment. These are also the principles TUI BLUE lives by \u2014 and we encourage you to ask questions or suggest improvements when you travel. After all, sustainability begins with each of us.<\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    A sustainable hotel uses renewable energy<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Whether it\u2019s a solar panel system<\/strong> or biogas plant<\/strong> for electricity, hot water or heating, there are many ways hotels can avoid using nuclear or coal power. Even if a hotel doesn\u2019t generate its own energy, it can still choose green electricity<\/strong> from a local supplier to operate more sustainably.<\/p>\n

    \"solar
    The solar panels on the roof of TUI BLUE Palm Garden reliably provide green energy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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      A sustainable hotel doesn\u2019t waste water<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      In many sun-soaked holiday regions, especially around the Mediterranean, water is a precious resource. A sustainable hotel only changes towels and bed linen on request<\/strong> \u2014 after all, at home you don\u2019t use a fresh towel every day either! In many luxury hotels daily towel changes are still common practice, but sustainable management looks quite different. Simply let staff know if you\u2019d prefer to reuse your towels; that simple choice greatly reduces water consumption. Green hotels may also use greywater for toilet flushing<\/strong> or invest in desalination systems<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      \"towel
      At TUI BLUE you decide when towels are changed \u2013 saving both water and energy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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        A sustainable hotel avoids waste<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        The shocking images of polluted oceans and sea creatures filled with plastic should make us all rethink our habits. Sustainable hotels take this seriously by ditching plastic straws<\/strong> and offering biodegradable alternatives only on request. They avoid single-use tableware<\/strong> and recycle diligently<\/strong>. Instead of miniature plastic bottles for shampoo and shower gel, eco-friendly hotels rely on large, refillable dispensers<\/strong> in the bathrooms.<\/p>\n

        \"avoid
        Raising awareness is key \u2013 at TUI BLUE Hotels, it\u2019s part of everyday practice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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          A sustainable hotel sources local and seasonal produce<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Imported food often travels long distances, losing freshness and adding carbon emissions along the way. Sustainable hotels prefer seasonal fruit and vegetables<\/strong> from nearby farms and often feature local specialities<\/strong> rather than long-haul imports. Some TUI BLUE hotels even have their own bakeries<\/strong><\/a> or herb and vegetable gardens<\/strong> \u2014 like TUI BLUE Palm Garden on the Turkish Riviera \u2014 for the freshest, most eco-friendly flavours possible.<\/p>\n

          \"tui
          Bread tastes best when it\u2019s baked fresh in the hotel\u2019s own bakery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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            A sustainable hotel treats its employees fairly<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Happy guests need happy teams. When staff are treated well, that warmth naturally shines through. A truly sustainable hotel provides fair working conditions, equal opportunities, and family-friendly support<\/strong>. In some regions, tourism is the lifeblood of entire communities, so sustainability extends beyond the resort itself.<\/p>\n

            \"tui
            Happy employees make for happy guests \u2013 pictured after a training session at TUI BLUE Palm Garden.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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              A sustainable hotel supports local communities<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              True sustainability reaches beyond the hotel walls. Many green hotels invest in their local communities through initiatives such as training young talent<\/strong> in tourism, environmental education programmes<\/strong> in schools, or beach clean-ups<\/strong> with guests and locals \u2014 like at the TUI BLUE Palm Beach Palace<\/a> on Djerba. Others raise awareness about social issues, or donate to the TUI Care Foundation<\/a>, which supports meaningful local projects for sustainable travel.<\/p>\n

              \"beach
              Everyone lends a hand \u2013 beach clean-up at TUI BLUE Palm Beach Palace, Djerba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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                A sustainable hotel embraces digital solutions<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Printed menus, timetables and information sheets use up vast amounts of paper and water. By switching to digital tools<\/strong>, hotels can save resources \u2014 especially when powered by solar energy. Smart options include QR codes, digital screens, in-room TV info channels and handy hotel apps like the BLUE App<\/a> from TUI BLUE.<\/p>\n

                \"staff
                No smartphone or out of battery? You\u2019ll find tablets with the BLUE App in every TUI BLUE hotel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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                  A sustainable hotel cares for animal welfare<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  Life\u2019s tough for stray animals in many destinations. Some hotels help local shelters, provide medical care<\/strong>, or even create safe spaces for animals like the TUI BLUE Palm Garden<\/a>, where stray cats and rabbits are vaccinated, neutered and lovingly looked after. At The Residence at TUI BLUE Sensatori Akra Fethiye, proceeds from selected products go directly to support the local animal shelter.<\/p>\n

                  \"cat
                  This is what a cat house for strays looks like at a TUI BLUE hotel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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                    Sustainability certifications<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    Any hotel can claim to be \u201cgreen\u201d, but certified ones back it up with action. Eco labels and certifications<\/strong> such as Travelife, Green & Fair Hotels, Green Key, Green Star<\/strong> and the Blue Flag<\/strong> set clear standards. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)<\/strong> defines international criteria for truly sustainable travel \u2014 and TUI\u2019s \u201cGreen & Fair<\/strong>\u201d certification is based on these. By September 2023, two-thirds of all TUI BLUE hotels<\/strong> had already achieved this label. <\/p>\n

                    The ultimate goal for every hotel? Becoming a \u201cZero Carbon Hotel<\/strong>\u201d \u2014 completely free of climate-damaging emissions.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

                    \"green The TUI Green & Fair sustainability logo.[\/caption> <\/p>\n

                    How can I travel more sustainably?<\/h2>\n

                    Now that you know how to spot a sustainable hotel, you can make more conscious choices when booking. Find out more about how TUI BLUE puts sustainability into practice and discover the most eco-friendly hotels here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

                    Here are a few extra tips for greener travel:<\/p>\n