Business travellers are increasingly opting for environmentally-friendly hotels in an effort to curb the impact of their frequent travelling, according to a report.

Some 47 per cent of business travellers questionned by researchers said it is “important” for them to stay in green-certified hotels during work trips.

Seven per cent admitted green certification is an “extremely important” factor in their choice of hotel.

The research was conducted by Timetric and published as part of its Global Business Traveler Survey 2013 report.

The results showed that for a hotel to be considered green, respondents consider “low-energy light bulbs” and a “reduced use of plastic materials” to be the main sustainability facilities that should be adopted.

“Solar-energy water heating” was another important factor, particularly for respondents in the Asia-Pacific region, while those from firms operating in North America and Europe consider “timer lighting systems” and “post-consumer recycled paper products” as important actions to be undertaken by hotels.

The report – Global Business Traveler Survey 2013: Hotel Accommodation, Selection Criteria and Customer Expectations of New Technology, Promotions and Services – was published at the end of last month.

timetric.com