Hotel Beekeeping – From Innovation to Best Practice

By: Jenni Moon, Greenview

Urban beekeeping has seen an uptake in recent years due to the ever growing phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in which honeybees are dying off at alarming rates. Bees provide an essential ecosystem service in helping to pollinate our crops, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee and tea.[1] Without bees, our agricultural systems would cease to exist. Just this past May, the US EPA has proposed restrictions on certain toxic pesticides from commercial use to help protect bee populations crucial for pollination.[2]

Hotel companies around the world have started to take interest in bees by being hosts to rooftop hives and providing lush environments to nurture bees in both wild and urban settings. Whether for sustainability focused reasons or to support hyperlocal food and beverage with rooftop honey, hotels have a unique opportunity to turn an innovation in the hospitality industry into a best practice. In 2014, Greenview conducted a study on urban hotel beekeeping, in which 55 hotels were identified globally.[3] That number continues to grow. So where will this trend be five years from now? Could beekeeping be the next frontier of hotel sustainability?

Just the way hotels have embraced linen and towel reuse programs, sustainability initiatives start as innovations and turn into industry best practices. Already hotel companies, like Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, have over 20 properties with beehives globally.[4] An even more interesting thought would be if hotels could be part of a global solution to help solve CCD. As it stands, many beehives are brought in physically to help farmers pollinate their crops during planting season, such as almond farms in California. And urban beehives help urban ecosystems thrive.[5] Perhaps, hotels can host these migrating beehives through partnerships with beekeeping organizations and help provide homes for these hives in the “off season” of when they’re not working hard pollinating crops.

For more information on urban hotel beekeeping, take a look at Greenview’s latest study and article on how your hotel can start hosting hives.

[1] http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/17/why-are-bees-important

[2] https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/epa-takes-strong-steps-better-protect-bees-pesticides

[3] http://www.greenview.sg/research-news/research/

[4] http://www.fairmont.com/promotions/fairmontbees/

[5] http://www.ted.com/talks/noah_wilson_rich_every_city_needs_healthy_honey_bees?language=en