BWH Hotels is expanding its global sustainability initiatives in an effort to not only operate its hotels responsibly, but also provide a more eco-friendly experience for guests.
“Sustainability is very important to BWH Hotels as a global hospitality brand,” said Ron Pohl, president of international operations, BWH Hotels and president, WorldHotels. “That is why we have invested in our sustainability efforts with the development of our new Because We Care global strategic program, which provides a pathway for us to continue to implement sustainable and community-minded practices across all current and new properties, allowing us to demonstrate a measurable change within the industry.”
Now, more than ever, guests are seeking hotels that follow sustainable practices, and Pohl has seen this at BWH Hotels and WorldHotels properties.
Ron Pohl BWH Hotels/WorldHotels
“What was once an afterthought in travel has quickly become one of the most important aspects of a traveler’s decision when booking a new trip,” he said. “We are seeing guests embrace the need for more sustainable and responsible travel and are encouraged by their willingness to do their part in helping shape a brighter world.”
The Because We Care program focuses on three important pillars to sustainability: Earth, People and Community (EPC).
“Through our Earth pillar, we are committed to providing the training, tools and resources to support and successfully implement sustainability practices at our independently owned and operated hotels worldwide, while equally recognizing the importance of local programs to support overall initiatives,” said Pohl. “As part of our focus on People, we are reinforcing the commitment of BWH Hotels to diversity, equity and inclusion [DEI] for staff members to grow and prosper in their careers, and to establish incentives supporting diversity in hotel development.”
Within the Community pillar, “our efforts are centered around supporting the surrounding communities our hotels and resorts are located in through a range of employee community service activities as well as through our charitable arm, Best Western for a Better World,” he said.
The company’s individual hotels have started to make a difference by implementing a number of eco-friendly products and initiatives.
“Across our portfolio, we actively recommend and encourage that our properties implement sustainable products and programs such as bulk amenities; LED lighting; low-flow showerheads and toilets; towel reuse; housekeeping upon request only; electric vehicle charging stations; on-site recycling programs; and the elimination of plastic water bottles,” said Pohl.
He noted that some of the initiatives are based around local charities and nonprofits.
“The Best Western Plus Westlands in Kenya incorporates giving-back initiatives to a local children’s home, and they are engaging with an elephant orphanage and participating in local tree planting activities. Our nine recently introduced WorldHotels properties in Canada, in partnership with Prestige Hotels & Resorts, offer a Go Green Program, which rewards guests through dining credits or points for opting out of housekeeping service, and they also participate in fundraising efforts to support the local JoeAnna’s House charity. Our Best Western Plus Park Hotel in Pordenone, Italy, has adopted a bee family to help support bee preservation efforts on a local level.”
He added, “Another important initiative through our Community pillar is our work through Best Western for a Better World, where we support communities through education, disaster relief and poverty relief efforts.”
Since all of the countries where the hotels reside have their own sets of guidelines when it comes to sustainability, Pohl pointed out that the company’s approach is “Think Globally, Act Regionally.”
“While we recommend and encourage streamlined initiatives across the portfolio, our hotels and resorts around the world may be further advanced and must adhere to the standards set forth by their local organizations and agencies that help maintain and govern sustainability standards,” he said.
