Upcycling for hotels: Inspiration from fundus
At MATR, we are always looking for innovative and sustainable approaches, including best practice hotel upcycling, to help hotels make the tourism industry more sustainable.
At a conference in Tyrol a few months ago, our CEO Verena Judmayer met Manuel Lampe. He is the CEO and founder of the agency fundus . We had the chance to interview him and find out more about his innovative ideas.
Upcycling for Hotels – Turning Old into New
The fundus concept: In search of valuables
Mr. Lampe has worked in senior positions at Innsbruck Tourism and in various regions. This allowed him to gain insights into many hotels and accommodations and better understand the needs and challenges of the industry first-hand. This is how the idea for fundus was born. The name “fundus” comes from the theater world and refers to a treasure trove where everything needed for a performance can be found. Fundus was founded with the idea of being a place where people can find support and resources. The concept of tourism upcycling plays a crucial role in this. But what does that mean?
© Agentur fundus
Tourism Upcycling: A Vision for Change
"We consciously look at hotels, examining the hotel, but also the region and the host. And from these three factors we create a new positioning, a new direction and from this we create an establishment."
However, fundus is not about transforming old props into new items. Instead, fundus aims to create something new from existing resources and thus appeal to a new target group that fits the new direction. It also allows hoteliers to learn what works best in their hotel and what they actually need.
The challenges of the hotel industry in terms of sustainability
Dealing with existing resources is one of the biggest challenges in the hotel industry in terms of sustainability, according to Manuel Lampe. Avoiding waste and increasing energy efficiency play a central role. The rising costs of electricity, water and heating represent a serious challenge, especially in areas such as wellness and swimming pools.
In addition, the hotel industry is faced with the task of adapting to the changing needs and expectations of guests. CO2-neutral travel is an issue that will affect more and more hotels. These aspects are crucial to satisfying guests while contributing to sustainability in the industry.
Why Upcycling is a Great Choice for Hotels
Tourism upcycling has numerous benefits for hotels, according to Mr Lampe. This creative method creates a highly cost-effective way to transform and adapt hotels. Upcycling does not mean setting up everything from scratch, but rather using existing resources efficiently and adapting them to current needs.
The biggest advantage of upcycling, according to Mr Lampe, is that it gives hotels the opportunity to gradually attract new target groups and generate bookings without taking major financial risks. This step-by-step approach promotes the sustainability of hotels while allowing them to better meet the individual needs of their guests.
Our conclusion: Sustainability in tourism through upcycling
Our conversation with Manuel Lampe has once again made it clear that sustainability in tourism should not just be a buzzword, but can be actively implemented. Fundus shows that innovative approaches such as upcycling offer an opportunity to use resources more efficiently and at the same time increase competitiveness.
During the conversation, it quickly became clear that Fundus' philosophy fits perfectly with that of MATR. We are therefore grateful for the inspiration and look forward to embarking on the journey towards sustainable tourism together.
You can learn more about how our sustainable mattresses complement hotels' upcycling efforts.