In the hospitality and tourism sectors, the consumption of resources such as energy and water represents one of the main inefficiencies that generate significant economic overheads. The use of HVAC systems (ventilation, air conditioning, and heating) over extended periods leads to high energy expenditure that must be optimised. Particularly in the hotel sector, this consumption is not always directly controlled, as guest comfort must be guaranteed. However, inadequate management of these resources can represent between 14% and 25% of a hotel's operating costs.

These figures highlight the need to implement measures to monitor and optimise resource consumption without compromising guest comfort. The adoption of efficient technologies, along with sustainable practices, not only contributes to environmental conservation but also generates significant savings and enhances the competitiveness of the establishment.

The Importance of Reducing Resource Waste in Hospitality

Excessive resources consumption in the hotel sector not only negatively affects operating costs but also has significant repercussions on the environment and customer perception. Additionally, according to ROIBack, a guest can consume between 300 and 1,200 liters of water a day, implying intensive use of water and energy resources, as well as increased CO2 emissions associated with the treatment and heating of water.

1- Economic Impact:

By reducing energy and water expenditure, hotels can significantly decrease operating costs, leading to higher profit margins. This aspect is particularly relevant if we consider that energy consumption can account for up to 25% of total costs in the hotel sector.

2- Environmental Impact:

Environmental legislation requires the hospitality sector to adopt Environmental Management Systems (EMS). This is because the hospitality and tourism industry is responsible for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption. Adopting sustainable practices reduces the carbon footprint and promotes the responsible use of water resources, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.

3- Compliance with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals):

The United Nations 2030 Agenda has established 17 Sustainable Development Goals to promote more sustainable actions. Several of these are directly related to hotel operations, including:

• SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation): encourages efficient water use and pollution control.

• SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy): promotes investments in sustainable energy sources to mitigate climate change effects.

• SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production): aims to reduce food waste and minimize waste generation.

• SDG 13 (climate action): supports renewable energy sources to strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate risks.

Integrating these objectives into business strategy enhances reputation among increasingly sustainability-conscious consumers. Meeting the SDGs enables establishments to obtain certifications that provide credibility and global recognition, facilitate access to sustainable financing, and position them as leaders in sustainability and resilience.

4- Regulatory Compliance:

Regulations on sustainability and energy efficiency are becoming increasingly stringent in the hotel sector. Compliance with standards such as ISO 14001:2015, which sets requirements for an effective environmental management system, or ISO 14046:2014 which defines the framework for efficient water resource management, is not only a matter of environmental responsibility but also a legal necessity to avoid economic and reputational risks.

Non-compliance with current environmental regulations may result in significant fines or penalties, loss of licences, and even temporary or permanent closure of establishments in the most severe cases. Proper monitoring of environmental management standards helps guarantee compliance and minimise these risks.

How to Measure Resource Consumption:

Advanced tools such as smart meters, sensors, and digital devices allow establishments to monitor and track the consumption of essential resources such as energy, water, or food. Some of the systems that support this monitoring include:

1- Energy Consumption Monitoring:

• Home automation devices (KNX or IoT) automate energy use, such as lighting, based on occupancy and schedules.

• Smart energy meters: record electricity consumption by areas, equipment, or rooms, providing real-time data that helps identify consumption patterns and opportunities for savings.

• Presence and light sensors: automate lighting and climate control according to occupancy, reducing unnecessary consumption.

• IoT ammeter clamps: measure electrical current intensity without interrupting the circuit, enabling maintenance technicians to monitor consumption at different points and track electrical equipment usage.

2- Water Consumption Monitoring:

• Smart flow meters: measure water consumption in different areas of the hotel, such as rooms, laundry, pools, and irrigation systems, in real time. These data are valuable for detecting leaks and optimising water use.

• Water quality sensors: monitor parameters such as conductivity, pH, and turbidity. Analysing these components is essential to ensure water quality in pools, spas, and potable water systems.

• IoT systems: allow data collection for remote water meter readings, facilitating efficient water management and early detection of anomalies in consumption.

3- Food Consumption Monitoring:

• Computer vision systems: identify and quantify food waste, providing data that helps reduce waste and optimise inventory management.

• Humidity and temperature sensors in cold storage: prevent premature spoilage of stored food, ensuring optimal preservation conditions and reducing waste.

• RFID tags for inventory: enable tracking of product use and expiry dates, supporting efficient inventory management and reducing food waste.

Tools for Analyzing Data and Optimizing Energy and Water Use:

Once data is collected through various devices and technologies, it is necessary to use management, analysis, and visualisation platforms to make informed decisions that optimise processes. These tools include:

• Building Management Systems (BMS): automate and centralise control of HVAC, lighting, and other systems. They adjust energy and water consumption automatically based on occupancy and real needs, minimising waste and reducing costs.

• Energy Management Systems (EMS): focus on monitoring and managing energy consumption. They analyse real-time data to identify areas for improvement, optimise equipment usage, and reduce energy costs, supporting sustainability and compliance with environmental standards.

• Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI): provides detailed data on water and energy consumption via smart meters, allowing precise management, detection of leaks or unusual usage, and more resource-efficient decision-making.

• Advanced analytics solutions and Big Data: enable analysis of large volumes of collected data and the application of machine learning algorithms to extract insights on resource consumption. This makes it possible to anticipate seasonal demand, identify savings opportunities, and manage resources more efficiently.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Platforms: focus on decision-making by providing relevant data through dashboards and other visualisations.

• Digital Twin Platforms: Digital twins represent one of the most advanced solutions for data-driven decision-making. They allow the creation of virtual replicas of the establishment and its processes, providing graphical visualisation of key data. They also integrate information from multiple sources, centralising data in a single platform for efficient resource monitoring.

Implementing Digital Twins in Hospitality and Tourism

Many hotels have already adopted digital twins to improve efficiency through data. These virtual replicas of physical facilities not only monitor energy and water consumption in real time but also enable predictive analysis, maintenance management, and compliance with environmental regulations, all while enhancing the guest experience.

Some digital twin platforms like TOKII, for example, incorporate modules that allow comprehensive management of hospitality and tourism operations, making it a 360° platform that ensures full control and security at all times.

TOKII uses artificial intelligence to enable predictive maintenance, setting alerts for abnormal behaviour and preventing issues such as energy overloads, electrical faults, or unexpected leaks. It also allows flexible integration with existing systems such as Odoo, SCADA, BMS, and more, centralising all information.

The platform supports uploading and managing corporate documentation directly, adding key dates to the calendar, and receiving notifications through preferred channels (mobile, PC, or email) to ensure the proper functioning of equipment and facilities.

Some examples of hotels already using digital twins include:

• Palladium Hotel Group: implemented digital twin technology to provide immersive guest experiences with virtual room tours, while also using it to improve internal operations.

• Marina d'Or: a major player in Spanish tourism, has adopted this advanced technology to better analyse guest behaviour and preferences, supporting decision-making to optimise occupancy, service offerings, and facility usage.

• Marriott International: the global hotel chain has deployed digital twins to optimise energy use and reduce its carbon footprint, positioning itself as a leader in eco-efficient practices.

According to ET hospitality, hotels that have implemented digital twins in their operations have reported improvements such as:

• A 20% increase in customer satisfaction.

• A 15% reduction in energy consumption.

• A 20% reduction in water usage through monitoring and adjustments.

The evidence is clear: the integration of digital twins is already revolutionising the hospitality sector, enabling establishments to differentiate themselves while achieving significant savings.

Would you like to achieve similar results in your establishment?

If you want to discover how to take your management to the next level and obtain tangible results, contact our experts. They will guide and support you at every stage of the process, helping you transform your hotel into a model of innovation and efficiency.