Member Spotlight: BC Hotel Association (BCHA)
The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) is leading the way in sustainable hospitality and has proudly achieved GreenStep Gold Certification. Through advocacy, education, and industry partnerships, BCHA supports hotels across British Columbia in adopting greener operations, reducing their environmental impact, and enhancing guest experiences. Learn from Karissa Bourgeault, BCHA Project Manager, about their commitment to a more sustainable future:
Tell us a bit about your business. What makes you different?
At the British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA), we’re more than just advocates for the accommodation industry; we are pioneers of sustainable tourism, leading efforts to create a greener future for hospitality across British Columbia. What sets us apart is our commitment to fostering sustainability, not just through words but through action.
As a GreenStep Certified organization, we are dedicated to guiding hotels on their journey towards sustainability. We actively support hotels in reducing their carbon footprint, conserving water, minimizing waste, and improving energy efficiency.
By connecting our members with innovative programs, tools, and resources, such as our Sustainability Playbook, GoGreen Program, and GreenStep EcoFund, we ensure that they have the support needed to implement and champion sustainable practices.
Our focus extends beyond environmental sustainability. Through partnerships with global leaders like the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, and programs like Veritree’s treeferrals, we encourage holistic practices that encompass social and economic sustainability. Whether it’s offering guidance on achieving certifications, facilitating energy assessments, or providing financial planning tools for green projects, we are committed to empowering our members to thrive sustainably.
At the core of our mission is the belief that sustainability is essential for long-term success in the hospitality industry. By choosing to work with the BCHA, hotels across BC are joining a movement that prioritizes responsible tourism, benefits local communities, and protects our planet for future generations.
Why is sustainability important to you/your business?
Sustainability is at the heart of the BCHA because we believe it’s essential for the long-term success of the hospitality industry, the well-being of local communities, and the health of our planet. As a leading advocate for accommodation businesses across British Columbia, we recognize that sustainable practices are no longer optional; they are critical for the future.
Our commitment to sustainability is driven by the desire to create a hospitality sector that minimizes its environmental impact while maximizing its positive contributions.
Through certifications like GreenStep Sustainable Tourism, we demonstrate our dedication to responsible tourism. By helping hotels reduce their carbon footprint, conserve resources, and adopt greener practices, we aim to foster a resilient industry that adapts to the growing demand for sustainable travel experiences.
Moreover, sustainability offers economic benefits. With programs such as the GoGreen Program and GreenStep EcoFund, we support our members in identifying cost-saving opportunities, accessing rebates, and planning energy-efficient projects that lower operational expenses. By promoting efficient resource use and responsible business practices, we help hotels enhance their profitability while contributing to environmental stewardship.
Ultimately, sustainability aligns with our mission to shape the future of hospitality. It empowers hotels to meet the needs of eco-conscious travellers, improve their brand reputation, and build a better, greener future for all.
Why did you join Sustainable Tourism?
The BCHA joined Sustainable Tourism to lead the way in promoting responsible travel practices and to support the hospitality sector in making a meaningful, positive impact on the environment. We believe that sustainability is key to the future of our industry, and joining Sustainable Tourism allows us to take proactive steps toward building a greener, more resilient hospitality sector across British Columbia, while situating ourselves as a leader in sustainability efforts in our industry.
Being a part of Sustainable Tourism also enables us to advocate for policies and programs that encourage energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, and other sustainable actions. By fostering partnerships with global leaders and local businesses, we can ensure that BC hotels are not just keeping up with sustainability trends but are leading the charge.
What sustainability related projects, policies or initiatives do you most want travellers to know about?
We want travellers to know about several key sustainability initiatives that showcase our commitment to responsible tourism and the environment. These projects and programs not only help hotels reduce their environmental footprint but also offer travellers the opportunity to make eco-friendly choices during their stay.
- Certification Programs: We are proud to be a Sustainable Tourism Gold Certified organization, which means we work closely with hotels to implement best practices in sustainability. These certifications ensure that properties are actively reducing their carbon footprint, conserving water, and engaging in responsible resource management. Travellers can look for these certifications as a sign of a hotel’s commitment to sustainability.
- GoGreen Program: Our GoGreen Program provides complimentary energy assessments to hotels, helping them identify cost-saving opportunities and reduce their energy consumption. Through this program, hotels can access incentives and rebates to support energy-efficient projects, directly reducing their carbon emissions and operating costs.
- GreenStep EcoFund: The EcoFund program is designed to help hotels invest in sustainability projects by creating a budget funded by a guest eco-fee. This initiative allows properties to implement energy, water, and waste reduction projects that not only lower their environmental impact but also engage travellers in their sustainability journey. Guests can feel good knowing their stay is contributing to a greener future.
- Treeferrals by Veritree: This initiative encourages hotels to plant trees or kelp for every check-in or guest opting out of housekeeping services. Through partnerships with Veritree, hotels are able to actively support reforestation efforts, restore ecosystems, and offset carbon emissions. Travellers can participate by choosing to stay at these properties and opt-in to green practices.
These initiatives represent just a few ways the BCHA is leading the charge in sustainable hospitality. By supporting these projects, travellers are not only choosing accommodations that align with their eco-conscious values but also contributing to a broader movement toward responsible tourism.
What are some goals and/or actions you plan to take in the future to further increase the sustainability of your business?
We have ambitious goals to further enhance our efforts in the coming years. Here are some of the key actions and initiatives we plan to focus on:
- Expand Access to Sustainability Certifications: We aim to increase the number of hotels across British Columbia that are certified. By offering more support and resources, we want to make it easier for properties to adopt sustainable practices and receive recognition for their efforts.
- Grow the GoGreen Program: Our GoGreen Program has been successful in helping hotels identify energy-saving opportunities, but we want to take it further. We plan to expand this initiative by integrating more comprehensive energy assessments, partnering with additional utility providers, and offering enhanced incentives and rebates. This will enable more hotels to lower their energy consumption, reduce costs, and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
- Promote Responsible Resource Management: We are dedicated to helping hotels reduce their water usage, minimize waste, and implement responsible procurement policies. By developing new tools and educational materials, we will encourage properties to adopt better water stewardship practices, reduce single-use plastics, and address food waste—key areas that can significantly impact sustainability.
- Engage Travellers in Sustainability: One of our goals is to actively engage guests in the sustainability journey. Through programs like the GreenStep EcoFund and Treeferrals by Veritree, we want to provide travellers with opportunities to make a positive impact during their stay.
- Collaborate with Industry Leaders: We believe that collaboration is key to achieving a sustainable future. Our ongoing partnerships with organizations like the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance will help us bring global best practices to British Columbia. By continuing to work with industry leaders, we can access cutting-edge resources, share knowledge, and develop new strategies to address climate change, water scarcity, and other environmental challenges.
- Celebrate Organization and Industry Successes: Recognizing and celebrating achievements in sustainability is vital to building momentum and inspiring others to join the movement. We plan to spotlight success stories from hotels across British Columbia as well as those of the BCHA. By sharing these accomplishments through case studies, awards, and events, we hope to highlight the benefits of sustainable practices and motivate more businesses to adopt similar initiatives. Celebrating successes not only acknowledges the hard work of industry leaders but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation within the hospitality sector.
Our goal is to make sustainability a core part of the hospitality experience in British Columbia. By setting ambitious targets and taking actionable steps, we are dedicated to shaping a greener, more responsible tourism industry that benefits businesses, travellers, and the environment.
Learn more
You can learn more about BC Hotel Association and and their sustainability efforts at BCHA.ca.
