Hotels in Asia, being GREEN or Not Green?

Elsewhere in the world, the movement has already caught fire. with concerns about climate change entering the mainstream, a cavalcade of hotels in Europe, Australia and the United States- from multinational heavyweights to family-run properties- have rallied around the environment over the past two years. international hotel chains such as IHG, Accor, Hilton and Marriott have pledged to embrace sustainable design- which means tapping into renewable energy sources, recycling wastewater, and using only certified, farmed wood or recycled building materials- and to reduce the carbon footprints at their existing properties.
That's not the case in much of Asia. Although the more developed markets- Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan- have certification systems for green buildings and stricter building codes in general, these rarely apply in the countries where tourism is booming- Thailand, Vietnam, cambodia. But that hasn't stopped some developers and operators from flagging " carbon-friendly", "sustainable" and other eco buzzwords in their brochures and websites in an effort to paint themselves green. Dig a bit deeper and ask a few questions, and you might discover that only thing sustainable about that new "eco" hotel is that they ask guests to use towels more than once- by now, a standard at most properties- or they buy some carbon credits to offset their emissions. That's why GreenLeaf Foundation, Australia's Green Globe and U.S. based Sustainable Tourism Initiative- are valuable: they help ensure that customers aren't being taken for a ride.
But for many hotels in Asia, being GREEN just isn't a priority, partly because the public isn't demanding accountability and partly because of the perception that being environmentally friendly costs too much money. It's especially costly when it comes to upgrading older properties. John Koldowski, research department from the Pacific and Asia Travel Association asserted: "Within the Asian context, there are many people out there who haven't taken the mantle and are running with it. But the critical mass of awareness (among hotels) isn't there."
Article adapted from Magazine Travel+Leisure the Green Issue

Hotels that practice green in Kuala Lumpur

After months observing at hotels in Kuala Lumpur, i noticed that there were actually quite some hotels practiced green in their policy but not materialize such policy in action. High mobile travelers, politicians and those rich background people do not really care about water and energy conservation; surprisingly some educated hotel guests (although from middle or lower income) are much more concerning about green practicing in hotel industry. Are we civilize enough compare to other parts of the world?In retrospect, it is our social responsibility to contribute a little efforts to save the only earth and of course our next generation!!!

Nights with Shangrila Kuala Lumpur

5^th to 7^th July 2008 Shangrila Kuala Lumpur

A very classic designed hotel, well-trained and friendly staffs. Basically I would say this hotel is actually perfect match with the standard as 5 stars hotel. This hotel is so excellent in both software and hardware. Therefore, this hotel would definitely become my priority.

About 5 stars Hotel…..

I noticed that both Westin and Shangrila are actually putting efforts the hotel towards green practices and one of the element is to educate their guest with those small little notes in the room. Well, I would suggest that perhaps next time front desk staff should ask their guest whether or not the guest like to stay in a green practicing room. Despite pros and cons, it is worth for every one of us to be responsible to our environment and the planet for the sake of our next generation!

Nights with Ritz Carlton & Westin Hotels

Spent times with Ritz Carlton early May 2008

Ritz Carlton hotel? The first thought comes across my mind was what’s that hotel and where it was located in Kuala Lumpur. After searching google, I have little info about the hotel and my friend and I spent the earliest weekend of May in Ritz Carlton. Very interesting part during my way to the hotel was that even the taxi driver does not know where the hotel location was. Could this be allowed to happen in Kuala Lumpur where the taxi driver lacks of knowledge about places and hotel location in the city? Are they supposed to be well-trained before they go for guests or travelers?

Back to the hotel, my first impression when I step into the hotel was whoa! It is very typical western style concept located Bukit Bintang, well-trained friendly staffs and surprisingly I got a special room assistant! The female staff explained everything and very professional indeed. As usual, room facilities are excellent as expected as a 5stars hotel and i-pod charger provided was actually very much appreciated. During two nights stayed in Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur, I felt very comfortable and very impressed with their services and hotel facilities. It was indeed worth the value for money.

10^th to 11^st May 2008 Westin Hotel

Well located right just opposite the marvelous shopping mall, the Pavillion. Again, this is another luxury western style hotel with good restaurants and wonderful extra space deluxe room facing the Petronas tower. That was my first experience with westin after Ritz Carlton. Honestly, I like Westin very much but very unfortunately, I was so disappointed with the front desk staffs service. The staff was confused with my room booking by hotel voucher. I wondered these staffs are in fact familiar with the procedure or just a trainee? Even they are not well-trained but at least hotel staffs should have the positive attitude to their guests. No smiling, very in-efficient during my check-in that’s what I experienced with Westin. True enough, do they ever ask what hotel guest really wants and needs? Could they professional enough to be able to solve guests’ problems? My only advice is that improve the software to the maximum because your hotel hardware was good enough as 5 stars hotel internationally.

A research on Green Hospitality-Green Hotel

What is Green Hospitality and why we need green?What is it very crucial role in tourism industry?When and where to have green hospitality?How it is related to us and why it's important to tourists as well as stakeholder/investors?Currently, i am doing a research that focusing on the possibility to have green hotel in Malaysia due to its market demand, read more on http://www.unwto.org/index.pnp
Green Globe (http://www.greenglobe21.com);
Green Seal (http://www.greenseal.org);
also try Sample of Green Hotel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kfVhPvz5jA)

Green Hotel

The Wilson Hotel Going All GREEN

The rehabilitation process of the Wilson Hotel is targeting the LEED guidelines. In addition to rehabilitating the hotel by the GREEN standards, the hotel will also be operating by GREEN standards when placed back into hospitality service. This commitment to sustainability is paramount to the ownership team and a guiding principle by which the team abides.Read more....

What had happened to Jerejak Island Resort in Penang?

Core problems & considerable suggestions

1. The accommodation can’t meet the market demand. According to Sales Manager, cik Normah, the management tends to loss their guest due to the lack of room availability especially when there is a dire need from the mass group of guest. For instance, the total numbers of room is less than 100 whereas guest numbers are two or three hundreds more. Therefore, it’s hardly or impossible for them to fix their guest into the room. The only solution would be increased the numbers of room for the mass group of guests. However, the only argument would be is it necessary to increase the room or expand the village? The sales team has then to analysis the actual market demand. Meanwhile does the mass group exist only at certain period or there is always demand from that group? For my personal point of view, by considering the cost of building luxury for the particular group, I preferred the standard rooms, like the flat type that require less land use rather than those luxury conceptual rooms that cost more space/land use which is not so environmental friendly because sacrifice more trees and not economic as well. A brainstorm concerning how to make the Jerejak resort for sustainable tourism purpose would be good enough for long term profit.
2. Price is not compatible with the package in the highly competitive market. Meanwhile, the management team trying to sell theirs products in high price in the hope to gain the maximum profit? However, it turns out to be failure to attract international tourist especially those from western countries in their first intention. Since then, the sales team sells their product by focusing to local market, still with the high price charged. Bear in mind that, price must be set according to the targeting market group (local vs international), seasoning changes and the extra values (money paid with the value) in order to achieve the long term profit. There are two possible ways to do it. First, reduce the price (either spa or room rate) to attract more tourists, especially local market. Second, maintain the price but add extra values. For instance, SPA that charge high price but with extra drink serving (eg: tea or wine) or relaxing music. From the consumer behavior of view, the customer/guest nowadays, are getting smart in the sense that they want not only the products and services but they want to see the value they pay for theirs money. Thus, sales manager should pay attention to the market need and product value, a win-win situation should be achieved in a sustainable tourism.

Secondary problems & suggestions

- 3. Less activity by the resort. The basic infrastructures like swimming pool, canopy walk (hanging bridge) and other outdoor facilities such as Detention Camp do actually favor certain groups of guest. However, the management should considered more attractive activities such as water sport, creating fishing site or build more camp sites with natural based consideration. Reason is because we should create a more lively or joyful environment. The sales team can promote their activity to the schools. The advantages are mainly educating student about our nature (part of the contribution to society) as well as let the school pay the fees for the usage of their facilities. In long run, I believed it can cover the cost of these infrastructures. I am trying to convince that since the management cannot gain much profit from these outdoor activities, why not use it as a “tool” to promote it to other party to cover their cost and maintenance of these facilities whereas, on the other hand, to create the reputation visually and verbally by visitors about the “virgin island” nature?

- 4. High class resort with the basic function facility support in conference room. The biggest ball room can accommodate maximum 550 guests. It seems pretty fine with the basic need from the guests. However, a 4 stars resort should provide excellence or at least same standard facility. Meanwhile, the management team should consider putting in advanced facility such as Wi-Fi (wireless connection to the internet) services to fulfill the needs of businessmen. Everyone needs internet for certain purpose like communication. That would be great if someone could have connection with their friends or family even in the trip(away from the city) or wheresoever’s.

Other comments:

- 5. Brand personality and destination marketing. I am curious about what is the significant element in this island? According to the information from the internet (http://www.jerejakresort.com), this island known as “Virgin Island” with its glamorous nature. The problem is what exactly is virgin island mean? What is the characteristic of this island compare to others in terms of tourism destination? For instance, Tioman Island and Redang Island well known with its rich marine ecosystem (with famous activity of scuba diving for interest groups). Therefore, what is it special about Jerejak island? From the name of Jerejak resort & Spa, we knew that it’s more like a relaxing style of place/resort, however, what does this related to the virgin island? Thus, there is no identity of this island and not even mentioned the brand personality. Building a destination brand image essentially means identifying the most relevant association for the destination and strengthening their linkages to the destination brand (Keller 1993). In addition, it has been proposed that consumer decisions are often based on whether or not a product fits into their lifestyle and/or whether it offers a desirable experience (Morgan, Pritchard, and Pride, 2002). Such arguments have also been made with respect to destination marketing. Therefore, if we put the scope into local market, how big the potential (in term of long term profit) by offering Spa in the resort(bear in mind the competition with the Balinese Spa in Bali)? Meanwhile the destination marketing organizations need to place more emphasis on the creation and promotion of holiday experiences that link key brand values and assets to the holiday aspirations and needs of customer. Therefore, it is essential to find out the characteristic of this island and identify the significant element. Then, create a brandy island by putting astute efforts, by hook or by crook. For example, Genting Highland knows as “City of Entertainment” with famous casino and themepark, Bali Island famous with its Spa and beaches.

- 6. My other suggestion would be the possibility to turn into Jerejak resort into the village for the training purpose. Reason is because, most of the infrastructures have already been there and it can actually used for the government or private company to train their staffs and holidays at the same time. Accommodation problem can be solved by expanding or build more standard rooms (flat type)for normal company staffs. From the economic side, the concept of Jerejak Island as “training paradise” for company might give the positive impact for the long term profit to the investor because the risk of losing guest or less guest during low season has been reduce solely with right marketing strategy.

Summary

Jerejak resort & Spa has its exotic facility especially the Spa village and of course the natural environment. The internal problems occurs when the management level actually lack of an astute plan of how to manage the resort in that island and fix it according to the market demand. An investigation regarding market segmentation and marketing strategy is very much crucial at the current stage because it concerning about the future investment. External problem can be easily solved once they have a better management team or plan. However, they should more concerning on what they want to turn the island to be due to their customer needs and wants.

Green Hotel

WHAT ARE "GREEN" HOTELS? "Green" Hotels are environmentally-friendly properties whose managers are eager to institute programs that save water, save energy and reduce solid waste--while saving money--to help PROTECT OUR ONE AND ONLY EARTH!

From B&Bs to military installations in all 51 states, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Asia and all around the world. Hundreds of thousands of towel-rack hangers and sheet-changing cards have been purchased. Chains from Adam's Mark to Xanterra are purchasing from "Green" Hotels Association&reg.;.

Hotels buying from "Green" Hotels Association®:
Adam's Mark AmeriSuites Amhsa Hotels Aston Best Inn & suites Best Western Canadian Pacific Choice Hotels Clarion Inn Comfort Inn Country Inn & Suites Courtyard by Marriott Days Inn DoubleTree Dunphy Hotels Econo Lodge Embassy Suites	Fairfield Inn Family Inn Forte Hotels Four Points by Sheraton Guest Quarters Hampton Inn Hawthorn Inn Hilton Holiday Inn Homewood Suites Hospitality Inns Howard Johnson Hyatt Inter-Continental Kimpton Group Lexington Suites Loews Marriott	Microtel Inn & Suites Hoteles Marta Omni Hotel PAHIO Resorts, Inc. Park Inn Intl. Presidente Quality Hotels Radisson Ramada Red Lion Red Roof Inns Regal Hotels Renaissance Rodeway Inn Sheraton Shoney's Sleep Inn	Hotel Sofitel Sonesta Resorts Stouffer Hotels Super Clubs Super 8 Lodge Susse Chalet Thrift Lodge TraveLodge Vagabond Inns Westin Hotels WestCoast Wyndham Xanterra

For more informations, kindly refer to www.greenhotels.com

Also take a look http://www.hacgreenhotels.com/index.htm about GREEN KEY!!!

Heritage Tourism

Recently, Terengganu state government proclaimed theirs capital, Kuala Terengganu as "waterfront heritage city" and 2008 as Terengganu visiting year. The key questions are

• does local community and state government are ready for tourist arrival? Is it suitable for the state government announced Kuala Terengganu as waterfront heritage?or another Eastern Venice?
  
• What is it so significant as waterfront heritage? What is their selling point?Product?
  
• Who are they targeting at?
• What is the prospective of waterfront heritage city?is it sustainable?
• www.tourism.terengganu.gov.my