Eco-friendly upgrades for holiday homes that appeal to environmentally conscious travellers

Staycations and travel within the UK are more popular than ever. But that growing band of travellers are also increasingly discerning when it comes to environmentally responsible accommodation.

So, if you let a holiday home, how can you help meet today’s travellers’ expectations for eco-friendly holidays, attracting those guests for whom sustainability is important, while also playing your part in making a better world?

Energy efficiency: Small changes, big impact

Make small changes in the accommodation you offer to create a big impact – cost-effective changes such as:

• energy-efficient appliances;

• LED lighting and smart thermostats;

• quality insulation and draught-proof doors and windows; and

• outdoor lighting triggered by motion sensors.

Let the decoration and materials speak for themselves

You can convey your message of sustainability and eco-friendliness in the materials you use to decorate and furnish your holiday let.

Give the accommodation a unique and stylish air by choosing mainly natural materials – possibly through the use of reclaimed wood. Natural and organic fabrics can also extend to the bed linens and towels you offer.

At least some of your furnishings can be made from recycled or upcycled sources while you could make a point of using only eco-friendly low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint.

Sustainable energy

Of course, you’ll establish the most impressive green credentials the greater your use of sustainable energy. Investment in the likes of solar panels for heating your water or generating energy, the installation of heat pumps, and the use of batteries to store the energy you have generated, will all involve a substantial outlay.

Before taking that particular plunge, you might take a step in the right direction by choosing a green energy supplier for your UK holiday let. Look for suppliers such as who are wholly committed to green energy and others and/or offer special green energy tariffs.

Don’t splash out

A credible sustainability drive will also make the most of water-saving features such as eco-friendly washing machines and dishwashers, dual-flush toilets and low-flow shower heads.

If there is a garden surrounding your holiday let, encourage mainly drought-tolerant landscaping so that you can lessen the demand for irrigation and additional watering. Rainwater collection systems should provide most of the water your garden needs.

“Green” holiday experiences

As important as the eco-friendly accommodation you offer your guests is the green, and sustainably low-impact holiday experience that can be enjoyed from your holiday home.

The welcome pack you typically provide for those staying in your holiday let could suggest days out where no car is necessary – whether that’s using public transport, cycle hire, hiking trails, or walking routes.

You can also suggest any local farm shops, farmers’ markets, and eco-friendly restaurants.

To really step up your green credentials, you could even arrange partnerships and come to deals with local, eco-friendly businesses for customer discounts.

Your environmentally conscious paying guests

By adopting just some of these green credentials you may attract more of today’s eco-conscious guests to your holiday accommodation – to the benefit of the guests themselves, your holiday let business, and a grateful planet.

And don’t forget, if you’re investing in major eco-upgrades or new green technology, it’s worth checking your UK holiday home insurance to ensure your improvements are covered.