Sustainable Accommodation and

•
Events
Sustainable event management is the process of integrating
environmental and social responsibility issues into event planning while still
operating with best reasonable profit. Sustainable event management consider
the needs and values of different stakeholders that are impacted by your events
and tours.
• Events and tour organisers are taking notice of the need to create events with a
purpose to reduce carbon footprint. Events are transitioning towards the UN’s 17
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1. no poverty, 2. zero hunger, 3. good
well being, 4. quality education, 5. gender equality, 6. clean water and sanitation,
7. affordable and clean energy, 8. decent work and economic growth, 9. industry,
innovation and infrastructure, 10. reduced inequalities, 11. sustainable cities and
communities, 12. responsible consumption and production, 13. climate action, 14.
life below water, 15. life on land, 16. peace, justice and strong institutions, 17.
partnerships for the goals. Although not all goals are met but at least some or
 Sustainable Accom and Events
• Selecting sustainable events cancont…
be quite a challenge at times. You
want to gain profitability while ensuring the event also meets your
environmental and social sustainability targets. This is because your
carbon footprint is affected by all the major aspects of your event ie.
Travel, F&B, venue, and accommodation. What should you
implement to create a business-driven green event and tours? Use
12Rs
• Sustainable management doesn’t mean boring and tedious work. It is vital
due to our environmental and economic situation. It opens opportunity to
generate new interesting ideas, innovation and creativity for competitive
advantage. It enriches the delegate experience and knowledge which
motivates them to think upon the environment and local communities. It
usually provides a unique experience. Eg, Dr Bongkosh’s initiative event
ideas ie insect protein as a supplement to meat, elephant conservation
Why Sustainable Management is Successful
Today
 sustainability grows more important as an evaluation criteria for
tour operation and suppliers (incl accommodation) who are often
asked about their contribution to the environment and the
community. Therefore, it is also customer driven.
 people are looking for operations that are environmental friendly
as well as supporting the local community. Hotel guests are
looking for energy efficient structure.
 it also fits with the UN (United Nations) 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG)
 there are also a associations and councils that provides
certification of Sustainable Standards. ie: ISO
14001Environmental Management System, ISO 15001 Energy
Sustainable Standards Certification
 Eco Standard Certification for
Synergy of Environment, Social, and
Economic System
 Implementation and Benefits of Sustainable
 Events
Benefits: Environment, social, and economics
 Environment: reduce carbon footprint to create a better
and healthy work environment to improve environmental
quality of the venue and surround community.
 Social: better employee mental and physical health,
improved image and contribution in the local community to
improve the quality of life. Attracting high quality employees
and increased employee retention.
 Economics: increased productivity and income, cost
savings in energy, water, and resource supplies. Attracting
new businesses in the area. Collaboration with other
innovative local companies or foreign investments.
 Green Ideas
1. Select green accommodation: some has credentials such as
a certificate for sustainable events. Eg ISO 20121, 14001,
15001. even with no certification, organisers can review the
venue, environmental and social impact of their construction
and management eg 12R practice, Chumphon Cabana. The
venue could also be:
 Centrally located for easy access via public transportation
 For events: Sufficient lodging and meeting space, to eliminate the
commute between accommodation and the session location. Choose
heritage site venue to support the funding.
 Technologically advanced with energy saving technology and
automated energy saving installation. Eg air conditioning units with
inverter technology, AI, and PM 2.5 filter for cleaner air
Green EV Shuttle Ideas
Green Event Idea: using heritage
site.
 Green Ideas cont…
2. Say no to single use plastic: many disposable plastics are
difficult to recycle and uses a lot of energy to recycle. Some simple
steps:
 Replace plastic spoons and straws with bamboo based or drinking straight
from the cup
 Install water station with reusable cups.
 Minimise exhibition badge and straps. Replace plastic laundry bags with
washable cloth bags.

3. Provide shuttle services: reducing transportation rounds:

 provide shuttle services to the accommodation and event venue
 Encourage attendees to carpool when shuttle services are not available.
 Use EV, hydrogen and hybrid cars for your official transport
Green Ideas cont…
 Green Ideas cont…
4. Order for individuals, not a crowd: carefully calculate
the number of participants to avoid wastage of food,
handouts, gifts. Engage local products, food, and cultural
shows. To prevent supply shortage, be ready to have extra
made in case of emergency. Leftover food and products
can be donated to the local communities or reuse for future
events (cost savings). AI can be used to help calculate for
the quantity need or yield.
5. Use proper cutlery and products that can be reused:
avoid disposable products. Ensure packaging are
recyclable or reusable. Avoid single sachets of sugar, salt,
pepper etc.
Green Ideas cont…
 Green Ideas cont…
6. Eco friendly options: cloth bags, recycled glass bottles, plants and seeds
packets as gifts, bamboo cutlery kits, recycle cups and tumblers for to refill
water at the event. QR code replacing paper brochures, vouchers, tickets.
7. Use recyclable material: certain things are unavoidable so go with
recyclable plastic, paper, glass, metal. Select suppliers who use recyclable
products and natural materials like cotton and plant based ink and dye. Put up
signage to inform about recycling procedures and waste management.
8. Have a proper waste management program: emphasise the need to
reduce, reuse, and recycle. Separate waste disposal bin. Connect to a
nearby poorer community so waste food can be donated.
9. Minimise paper: digital information through mobile phones and QR code.
For Events: Make use of the event management software and applications.
Using event website and event registration software. The software has to
be user friendly with easy to follow steps. Again, incorporation of AI
Green Ideas cont…
Green Ideas cont…
 Sustainable Tourism Business
 Instead of attraction high volume – low quality, look into getting a reasonable volume – high
income and high standard.
 NEVER fall into price war as it will bring profit down to bankruptcy for everyone and killing the
industry.
 Create interesting authentic ideas and keep on improving and adapting. Make your product and
services are more interesting but realistic. - competitive advantage.
 Adapt to new technology that will help to improve the productivity and quality of your work.
 Study and research the market trend, nothing stays the same forever.
 Create trends! Create new interesting marketing pull. Make use of the available soft-power.
 Be careful in selecting your market. Make sure you know your market. Experience creates
expertise in the field.
 Be considerate and honest to your clients, your staff, your suppliers. Respect!!! You respect
them, they will respect you.
 With regards to staff, suppliers, etc, choose the right person for the right job. The right products
and services for the right clients. E.g. Selecting the right hotel to suite your tour program and
the client’s characteristics.
 Summary
 Sustainable Management and operation is a new trend of
ideas creating synergy of the environment, social, and local
economy.
 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are taken into
consideration. You might not be able to fulfil all 17 goals but at
least some points, or better still, most points are covered in
your operation.
 With sustainable event in mind the benefit is shared through a
wide array of stakeholders.
 there are many new ideas of sustainable operation theme and
organising ideas. We all can come up with more interesting
ideas for energy efficiency. You just need imagination and
thinking out of the box as well as being aware of the