The millennial generation plays an increasingly important role in the hotel industry. Today, millennials account for more than 30% of hotel guests. This trend encourages the industry to adapt what it offers to this demographic’s tastes, including eco-friendly pools as a major attraction.
Major hotel chains are investing in the creation of new brands, offering concepts designed to adapt to new trends and tastes. Their main objective is to offer millennial customers authentic experiences that are linked to local culture, but this type of user also values environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility policies.
The millennial public not only considers the cost of where they stay, but also the impact that their daily consumption has on the world around them. This means that a hotel that opts for eco-friendly pools is an added value in terms of attracting this type of public, since it is sending out a message that is clearly committed to sustainability and respect for the environment.
Experts at the “Piscine Global 2019” European pool and wellness event defined eco-friendly pools as aquatic facilities that use environmentally responsible treatments.
The experts concluded that pools with ozone, salt electrolysis, ultraviolet radiation and active oxygen treatments can also be considered “green”, as well as pools that reduce energy consumption levels.
- Pools that use high-tech water treatment and have a minimal impact on the environment.
- Bio-pools or natural pools, which are those that try to emulate the natural ecosystem to obtain an installation with zero environmental impact.
Pools with high-tech water treatment
According to Piscine Global, the major innovations in environmentally friendly water disinfection include:
- Salt chlorinators. This is a chemical process for water treatment that does not require the storage of toxic products and generates no by-products.
- Ultraviolet radiation. It directly impacts the DNA of micro-organisms to stop their development. It reduces chemical consumption by 80-90% and can be handled safely without special measures.
- Active oxygen. This type of treatment has no negative impact on the skin or mucosa. It is based on a natural molecule that dissolves in water to release oxygen.
- Ozone. This treatment is used to make water potable, destroying harmful micro-organisms in the water without generating any by-products.
These are joined by the latest technologies that have resulted from the combination or evolution of these methods:
- Neolysis. This system combines salt electrolysis technology with ultraviolet radiation for an efficient and sustainable water treatment and disinfection process.
- Freepool. This method also combines salt electrolysis technology with ultraviolet radiation to treat the water in eco-friendly pools. However, it also has an in-water CO2 injection system which makes it possible to correct pH levels and reduce water consumption.
Bio-pools
In these facilities, water is purified through biological filters and aquatic plants, such as those used in natural ecosystems. Since no chemicals are used, biodiversity is preserved and the look of the surroundings enhanced. These facilities are specifically designed for pools in places where a high level of harmony with nature is sought.
As for European standards, the official organization that regulates the use of this type of pools is the International Organization for Natural Bathing Waters. Germany and Austria also have their own regulations for the public use of biopools. Unfortunately, there are no applicable regulations in the rest of the European Union and in many other countries, which makes the introduction of this type of construction impossible.
There are two major benefits of eco-friendly pools:
- Health benefits. The main health benefit of this type of pool is that they prevent irritation of the skin, mucous membranes and eyes. In addition, they are especially suitable for people suffering from atopic skin or other dermatological problems.
- Environmental benefits. These pools have very low environmental impact. Moreover, they use 35% less water to wash the filters, and the purification equipment consumes very little energy.
Eco-friendly pools are a viable solution for the hotel industry. Thanks to their low environmental impact, they have an added value when it comes to attracting guests concerned about sustainability and the efficient use of available resources, as is often the case with the millennial generation.