Conservation initiatives for tour operators
The following strategies will assist during the current reduced energy climate, but should be adopted for continued conservation of resources and money saving.
Short-term initiatives
Energy consumption (in the office)
• Turn off any unnecessary lighting in non-essential areas and ensure lights are turned off at night
• Arrange for cleaners or security to turn off any lights or equipment left on after hours
• Turn off computers and monitors when not at your desk
• Disable screen savers, they use more energy then a blank screen
• Turn off heating and air-conditioning in non-essential areas
• Heat or cool only the areas required
• Maintain equipment properly
• Try to group copying or printing tasks in batches and only use colour when necessary
• Ensure all computers, photocopiers and other office equipment (including, urns and coffee pots) are switched off at the wall when not in use, and
• Raise awareness amongst all your staff about the cost of energy.
Guest advice
When accommodation is included in the tour package, tour operators can advise customers about minimising their linen and energy use. Some initiatives include:
• Reusing towels during the course of their stay
• Turning off appliances at the power switch when not in use
• Turning off lights when not in the room
• Limiting showers to three to four minutes, and
• Reducing air-conditioning and room heating where possible and turning it off when not in the room.
Long-term initiatives
• Install timers on equipment such as water boiling units and photocopiers
• Consider using sensors on lighting
• Install energy efficient lighting
• Make energy efficiency a criteria when purchasing new equipment
• Consider energy efficiency when planning office fit-outs and refurbishments
• Insulate your business; this will reduce the need for heating and cooling, and
• Consider environmentally sound means and modes of transport.
Keep your staff and management up-to-date with water and energy conservation initiatives
Look around your office and identify ways that you could save energy and water.
(Source: CRC; Sustainable Energy Development Office; Sustainability Victoria)