How hotels can reduce their water consumption

In many parts of the globe, water is a valuable asset. In hotels, a lot of water is used for the sun-shading gardens and green spaces, vast golf courses and refreshing swimming pools. However, thanks to sustainable architecture and a range of measures, freshwater consumption can be reduced without impairing the guests’ holiday experience.

Il Castelfalfi – TUI Blue Selection in Tuscany sets a pioneering example. The hotel and the surrounding resort meet 97 per cent of their water demand from their own wells. Drinking water for the entire property is supplied through a network of underground pipes. It is provided by wells in the resort’s own adjacent forests, is purified and supplied to the buildings. A sustainable system is also used for the irrigation of the vineyards covering 23 hectares and the 10,000 olive groves as well as the golf course. Rainwater is collected in artificial lakes. Five dams and pumps are used to irrigate the golf course and the gardens and to flush the toilets.

Sustainability can already be enhanced by reducing water flow rates in the sanitary facilities and increasing water efficiency in the laundry. Through these measures, the TUI Blue hotel brand aims to deliver its goal of reducing freshwater consumption per guest night by 10 per cent – saving the equivalent of 160 Olympic-size swimming pools. The water conservation measures are part of the “Sustainable Blue” sustainability initiative and support TUI Group’s sustainable tourism strategy.