Lorraine Dixon & Danson Matekwa | March 2020
Is it possible to operate in a thoughtful, sustainable manner and still be competitive? Many tourism establishments are asking that very question. This was the focus of Green Key Kenya’s inaugural Networking Breakfast on 12th February 2020 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Upper Hill in Nairobi. The meeting brought together hoteliers, tourism student representatives, and professionals from the environmental sector, as well as senior representatives of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
The breakfast theme “Competitiveness through Sustainability” formed the basis of exciting and insightful discussions on how addressing critical sustainability concerns has the potential to contribute towards the competitiveness of the tourism and hospitality sector. In 2019, the total number of international tourists visiting Kenya increased by about 3%, while domestic tourism increased by about 9% according to statistics by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB). 27 new globally branded hotels are expected to enter the Kenyan market within the next 4 years. This reflects Kenya’s great potential to grow and become a giant tourism hub in the near future, but also places an increasing competition to attract and satisfy guests.
The consensus was that the tourism industry business landscape has changed significantly, with more guests paying attention to the environmental and social impacts of their travel and accommodation. There were candid discussions on practical approaches to managing energy and water conservation, as well reduction of waste, in ways that ultimately cut costs for establishments, and enable them to thrive.
The venue of the event Radisson Blu Hotel Upper Hill, was symbolic as this was the first establishment in Kenya to receive the Green Key award. KTB and NEMA expressed their support for the Green Key programme and sustainability initiatives within the industry as a whole, going beyond basic compliance to embracing all the benefits that come with championing care for natural resources and social inclusion.
Sustainability is the new normal and business as usual is dead!