Premier Inn Middle East conducted a recent sustainability survey revealing new insights into the environmental habits of travellers, both at home and when booking and staying in hotels.

The survey, which polled almost 900 individuals ahead of World Sustainability Day on 26 October, highlights a strong environmental awareness among travellers, with the majority actively considering a hotel’s sustainability efforts.

However, when booking accommodation, location and price continue to be the primary decision drivers, with environmental practices taking a secondary role.

These findings present significant opportunities for hotels to enhance their sustainability initiatives and provide better education on the importance of environmental practices for guests during their stay.

Simon Leigh, Managing Director, Premier Inn Middle East said: “The survey indicates that our guests are becoming increasingly aware of their environmental impact, but there remains substantial room for improvement.

Hotels have a vital role to play in encouraging guests to make more sustainable choices, both during the booking process and throughout their stay.

Middle East Hotels Need to Reduce Carbon Emissions by Two-Thirds within 7 Years

“At Premier Inn, we are fully committed to our Force for Good sustainability programme, and we’re continually enhancing our initiatives and educational efforts to ensure that sustainability becomes an integral part of the guest experience.”

Environmental Awareness

The survey shows that 81% of respondents from the UAE and Qatar consider looking after the environment very important, with an additional 14% finding it somewhat important.

This strong environmental awareness aligns with the UAE’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, a commitment that 96% of respondents say motivates them to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.

Hotel Booking Priorities

While 79% of respondents consider a hotel’s environmental practices and 63% take sustainability awards and certifications into account when searching for a hotel; location and price are ranked as the two top priorities when booking accommodation.

These are followed by guest reviews, facilities, environmental practices and other factors.

This suggests that while environmental practices and certifications are being considered during the hotel search process, they are not the primary decision factors when making the hotel booking.

Sustainable Actions by Guests

In the Room

Guests showcase their commitment to sustainability through various eco-friendly actions during hotel stays.

The most common practices include conserving energy by switching off lights and plugs when leaving the room (87%), opting for digital booking confirmations (81%), reducing water usage by turning off taps and choosing showers over baths (80%), and reusing towels throughout their stay (72%).

In the Restaurant

When dining in restaurants, guests take conscious steps to reduce their environmental impact.

Most (88%) avoid food waste by not overloading their plates at buffets, 69% embrace regional cuisine, 46% seek dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, and 29% choose vegetarian or vegan options.

Out and About

Visitors also display eco-conscious behaviour when exploring their destination.

76% carry refillable water bottles, 63% participate in sustainable or ethical tours, 62% use shared transportation or shuttle services, and 61% support local community initiatives - reflecting a deep commitment to sustainable dining, activities, and travel.

At Home

Sustainability extends into travellers’ everyday lives, with common practices including saving energy (92%), reducing water usage (85%), using reusable shopping bags (78%), separating waste for recycling (66%), and minimising single-use plastics (65%). Additionally, 71% express a desire to educate others on sustainability.

Eco-Friendly Activities

Respondents also show a strong interest in engaging with local culture and nature during their hotel stays.

The top activities include discovering the natural landscape and environment (80%), exploring local cultural and heritage attractions (80%), and visiting ethical nature and wildlife conservation projects (62%).

The Need for Greater Environmental Education in Hotels

Respondents from the UAE and Qatar demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable travel, and they are keen to develop this further.

No less than 86% of respondents indicate that they want hotels to educate them on sustainable practices during their stay. They expect hotels to take an active role in reducing waste, conserving energy and water, and promoting broader sustainability efforts.

The survey also reveals areas for improvement, particularly in waste recycling practices.

Additionally, the significant interest in engaging with local culture and nature when travelling, underscores the importance of integrating sustainability into both hotel operations and the guest experience.

This presents a key opportunity for Premier Inn—and the wider hospitality sector—to take a leadership role in sustainability by offering more education and encouraging guests to adopt eco-friendly behaviours.

By increasing awareness and improving infrastructure to support sustainable practices, hotels can foster greater environmental responsibility among their guests.

Jonathan Leonard, Property Director, Premier Inn Middle East commented: “At Premier Inn, we’ve introduced a variety of eco-friendly initiatives, including waste recycling, water and energy conservation, linen donations and reducing single-use plastics.

“Our commitment goes beyond operations - we are continually advancing our sustainability practices and empowering guests to make environmentally conscious choices throughout their stay.”

Premier Inn’s Top 5 Sustainability Achievements

Closed-loop Recycling: Over the past 12 months, the introduction of rPET plastic water bottles has led to the recycling of 1.75 million bottles, which are repurposed into new bottles to support sustainable production.

Solar Energy Integration: Several properties now feature state-of-the-art solar panels, generating up to 90% of the hot water required on-site.

Biodiesel Production: Up to 96% of the cooking oil used in Premier Inn’s restaurants is recycled into biodiesel, helping to fuel vehicles sustainably.

Water Conservation: The greywater system at Premier Inn Dubai Al Jaddaf saves over 4.2 million gallons of water annually.

Eco-friendly Element in Bedding: The new Premier Inn Bed by Silentnight features a component made from 320 recycled plastic bottles.

Read More: 5 Sustainable Trends to Look Out for in Middle East’s Travel Sector