Replacing or complementing the small amenity soaps, shampoos,
conditioners, bath gels and lotions that travelers are used to, amenity
dispensers can reduce amenity-related costs significantly and
dramatically stem the flow of plastic waste to landfills.
Amenity dispensers, which have been widely accepted in Europe (and Canada) for years, have had a much slower acceptance in the United States. But that has begun to change, albeit slowly over the last few years. Dispensers can be found in only 5 percent to 10 percent of all U.S. guestrooms, estimates Ray Burger, president, Pineapple Hospitality.
Dispenser styles introduced in recent years can be considered classy, elegant, functional and an ideal fit for any type of property. Dispenser security has not been a problem. Nor has dispenser hygiene. Yet, there are still many who question dispensers’ security, hygiene and aesthetic appropriateness for their properties.
“Hoteliers tend to be slow to be first to make the move—to be a leader in change,” says Ian Wallace, president, Dispenser Amenities. “Hoteliers are pretty much set in their ways. We have had communication with chains who say it is the right thing to do but don’t want to be first.”
Brand Standards a Common Barrier
Dan Bornholdt, president, Green Suites Project Planet, says his company often runs up against brand standards when trying to sell dispensers.
“A lot of hoteliers fear a pushback from guests and see it as a reduction in standards,” adds Tim Kirsley, senior vice president, Gilchrist & Soames.
One vendor explained that there is a disincentive for hotel chains to switch from amenity bottles to dispensers because of the rebates the chains get from amenity companies for every bottle they buy. He asked, “Are amenity companies really pushing [dispensers]?”
“We have for over four years presented dispensers to all the major chains and have found that they are very reluctant to change because of the belief that a dispenser looks cheap,” says Paul Weber, president and co-founder, Swisssol Inc. Dispenser trials conducted with a major brand by Swisssol, however, showed a very favorable response from guests and management.
“We believe the U.S. hospitality industry is ready to embrace dispensers because they make environmental and cost saving sense,” Weber adds.
Pineapple Hospitality’s Burger says dispenser acceptance is higher when one uses a recognizable brand of amenity product along with it.
“The keys are attractive, durable dispensers and a branded product, and other environmental initiatives around them,” he says. “Don’t make the dispenser a stand-alone environmental initiative.”
“The nicer the property, the more likely they want a brand name liquid,” Green Suites’ Bornholdt adds.
Dispenser suppliers make it easy to use a brand name amenity, offering printing and labeling services for different dispenser types. Darleen DeLisle, VP marketing & communications, Concept Amenities, says dispenser users should watch out for screen printing fading over time.
Amenity dispensers, which have been widely accepted in Europe (and Canada) for years, have had a much slower acceptance in the United States. But that has begun to change, albeit slowly over the last few years. Dispensers can be found in only 5 percent to 10 percent of all U.S. guestrooms, estimates Ray Burger, president, Pineapple Hospitality.
Dispenser styles introduced in recent years can be considered classy, elegant, functional and an ideal fit for any type of property. Dispenser security has not been a problem. Nor has dispenser hygiene. Yet, there are still many who question dispensers’ security, hygiene and aesthetic appropriateness for their properties.
“Hoteliers tend to be slow to be first to make the move—to be a leader in change,” says Ian Wallace, president, Dispenser Amenities. “Hoteliers are pretty much set in their ways. We have had communication with chains who say it is the right thing to do but don’t want to be first.”
Brand Standards a Common Barrier
Dan Bornholdt, president, Green Suites Project Planet, says his company often runs up against brand standards when trying to sell dispensers.
“A lot of hoteliers fear a pushback from guests and see it as a reduction in standards,” adds Tim Kirsley, senior vice president, Gilchrist & Soames.
One vendor explained that there is a disincentive for hotel chains to switch from amenity bottles to dispensers because of the rebates the chains get from amenity companies for every bottle they buy. He asked, “Are amenity companies really pushing [dispensers]?”
“We have for over four years presented dispensers to all the major chains and have found that they are very reluctant to change because of the belief that a dispenser looks cheap,” says Paul Weber, president and co-founder, Swisssol Inc. Dispenser trials conducted with a major brand by Swisssol, however, showed a very favorable response from guests and management.
“We believe the U.S. hospitality industry is ready to embrace dispensers because they make environmental and cost saving sense,” Weber adds.
Pineapple Hospitality’s Burger says dispenser acceptance is higher when one uses a recognizable brand of amenity product along with it.
“The keys are attractive, durable dispensers and a branded product, and other environmental initiatives around them,” he says. “Don’t make the dispenser a stand-alone environmental initiative.”
“The nicer the property, the more likely they want a brand name liquid,” Green Suites’ Bornholdt adds.
Dispenser suppliers make it easy to use a brand name amenity, offering printing and labeling services for different dispenser types. Darleen DeLisle, VP marketing & communications, Concept Amenities, says dispenser users should watch out for screen printing fading over time.
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