NORTH BETHESDA, Maryland—Alternative Accommodations Worldwide, Inc. revealed its 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report. The report particulars Alternative’s newest initiatives to drive sustainability throughout its portfolio of lodges. This consists of new and expanded necessities to assist cut back utility utilization and establish financial savings by way of its revamped Room to be Inexperienced verification program. As a part of this initiative, the report highlights the adoption of Alternative’s automated utility monitoring dashboard, with over 2,600 properties taking part and counting.
“At Alternative, we’re dedicated to constructing a greater tomorrow, as we speak. By championing sustainable practices, we’re serving to lodge house owners save money and time and enchantment to company and company purchasers,” stated Megan Brumagim, vp of sustainability at Alternative. “Embracing and committing to sustainability isn’t just the fitting factor to do, it’s additionally good for enterprise. We’re pleased with the progress we’ve made and are energized to proceed our sustainability journey.”
Company searching Alternative’s web site can now establish properties dedicated to sustainability by way of a search filter and a delegated sustainability practices icon. This function lets company to filter lodges based mostly on sustainability practices. Company can even filter for lodges that provide electrical automobile charging.
Initiatives detailed within the report embody:
- Property Enchancment Plans: Thirty-five lodges had been chosen for a pilot program to take part in sustainability audits performed by third-party specialists and obtain suggestions and options to drive extra sustainable operations and investments. The suggestions included constructing envelope enhancements, rainwater reuse, water mitigation options, energy-saving good thermostats in guestrooms, and the alternative of pure gasoline water heaters with electrical warmth pump high-efficiency models. Alternative plans to embed the insights obtained from this initiative into current property enchancment plan processes.
- Lowering carbon emissions: Alternative signed a proper dedication with the Science Primarily based Targets initiative to set science-based targets for lowering its carbon footprint.
- Electrical automobile charging: Alternative has signed agreements with suppliers that provide EV charging choices for company throughout its lodge system. Alternative is well-positioned to deal with the rising shopper demand for EV charging, with company who drove to lodges accounting for 82 % of all Alternative room nights in 2022.
- Opening doorways to lodge possession: Alternative continues to create lodge possession alternatives for underrepresented minority entrepreneurs. The Rising Markets Program was developed 20 years in the past to ascertain relationships with underrepresented communities together with African American, Hispanic, Native American, veteran, and ladies entrepreneurs. In reference to that program, Alternative has awarded and financially supported greater than 370 franchise agreements with various members since 2004.
- Combating human trafficking: The corporate refreshed its company and franchisee-facing human trafficking prevention coaching and joined the inaugural American Lodge & Lodging Affiliation No Room for Trafficking Advisory Council, which unites the trade within the struggle in opposition to human trafficking.
In late 2023, Alternative opened its new world headquarters in North Bethesda, Maryland. Designed with sustainability and associates’ wellbeing in thoughts, options embody energy-efficient programs, EV charging stations, proximity to public transit, and a partial inexperienced rooftop. The Pike & Rose growth, the place the constructing is situated, is LEED ND licensed, which acknowledges its inexperienced and group influence. The constructing can also be aiming for LEED Gold certification.
