Rethinking hospitality for hotter summers

From buildings to services: concrete solutions to help tourism SMEs ensure their guests are comfortable, without increasing their consumption and environmental impact

When it gets hotter, turning up the air conditioning seems like the easiest option. However, it can trigger a vicious circle for tourism businesses: spaces that aren’t properly screened from the sunshine need more air conditioning, energy use goes up at peak times, and climate control systems end up producing emissions that fuel global warming.

This is not an issue we can afford to overlook. According to the International Energy Agency, space cooling is now the fastest growing source of energy demand from the buildings sector and it is set to rise by almost 4% annually until 2035 under current policy settings. On extremely hot days, it can be a significant contributor to spikes in electricity demand, putting grids under pressure. Electricity use isn’t the only cause for concern: if certain refrigerant gases leak, they can have a substantial impact on the climate.

For SMEs, better cooling means ensuring hotter temperatures outside don’t automatically lead to greater energy use.

Solutions that start with spaces

Before you think about turning on climate control systems, there are various ways to enhance comfort. Awnings, shutters, sun shades and pergolas provide a degree of protection from direct sunlight and improve conditions on terraces and in entrances and public areas. Cool roofs, lightly coloured walls and materials that absorb less heat can all play a part in reducing overheating in a building envelope.

Trees, climbing plants, hedges and green walls all help to cool spaces thanks to evapotranspiration. Plants can also reduce the need for climate control in other ways, such as when they provide direct protection for façades and windows.

Natural air flow at cooler times can help to release trapped heat. During the day, on the other hand, when the air is hotter outside than it is inside, try to keep doors and windows closed and cover windows to keep the sun out. Small businesses don’t need to make changes to their whole property at once: they can start with the parts that are most exposed and then develop a strategy over time to suit the climate and the characteristics of the building.

Dealing with heat

Tourist establishments can deal with heat by anticipating the needs of their guests. For example, they can provide drinking water and bottle filling stations, create places to relax in the shade and ensure cooler areas are accessible.

Giving out information can also be a useful service. Businesses can raise awareness and help their guests to have a safer stay by letting them know about predicted temperatures, routes in the shade and the best times to take part in trips, visits and sporting activities. The World Health Organization recommends avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest time of day, trying to stay in the shade or cool places, and staying informed about official warnings.

Heat might mean guests need to change their plans, but it doesn’t have to mean they have a worse experience. They can do outdoor activities in the morning or the evening and do other things in the middle of the day, such as tastings, workshops, visiting indoor places and resting. As well as protecting guests, all of this is a way of providing hospitality that can adapt to suit changing climate conditions, rather than trying to force the climate to suit the needs of tourism.