Mackenzie Vath, director of wellness and sustainability for Pacific Hospitality Group (PHG), and owner and creator of Holistic Umbrella, an independent wellness brand, provides some insight into the topic of sustainability and wellness.
How are sustainability and wellness interconnected?
In my opinion, wellness is a lifestyle, and having a consistent lifestyle is sustainable. It’s identifying what parts of your lifestyle are going to be sustainable for you long-term that can be difficult. When it comes to hospitality, we work toward implementing the right programming and offerings for our guests that allow them to enjoy and possible enhance their experience while still being conscious of the work, waste, water, and energy, that goes into their experience. Sustainability and wellness definitely go hand in hand.
How has sustainability in the wellness industry changed since you’ve worked in the industry?
I would say the biggest way sustainability and wellness has changed is people becoming more aware of those terms. When I started on my journey, many people didn’t know what wellness really was and it took time for the industry to catch up. Hotels are now being built around sustainability and wellness as their main pillar. This is music to my ears, but back in the day hospitality was mainly about heads in beds.
What do you think is the future of sustainability in wellness?
The future is hard to predict, who would have known a worldwide pandemic would shut down our country and move the needle backward in terms of sustainability. Single-use items, throw-away masks…yikes! I do have to say I am very hopeful for the future of sustainability. The silver lining of 2020 and now 2021 is sustainability and wellness are standards. People finally have time to appreciate their health and take it seriously. Diets, exercise equipment, healthy grocery stores, supplements, beauty products––being home has led the wellness economy to explode. In the future, I see the next generation taking Mother Earth more seriously. I see standards already going into place to make our planet clean. Reusable products, renewable resources, sustainable certifications all will most likely be standardized. You see many of these initiatives already taking place in the European Union, such as decreasing carbon emissions, zero waste initiatives, robust recycling, and compost programs. All we have to do is our part.
What tips do you have for incorporating sustainability and wellness into someone’s routine?
Start small when it comes to incorporating anything new to your routine. Tonight, shut off the water when you brush your teeth. In terms of wellness, I’m going to suggest something rather nontraditional when starting a new routine. I want you to focus on your mental wellness. Each day when you get up, write something you are grateful for on a sticky note and place it on your mirror. Do this for one month, it only takes maybe 30 seconds to a minute total, so I know it's 100 percent doable. Keep your sticky note and pen right by your sink and make it colorful and fun! At the end of the month, I encourage you to take a picture of your mirror and most likely you won’t be able to see yourself since your gratitude toward your life has taken over your ego. Take all the stickies and make it rain!
What should consumers look for when looking for a sustainable wellness property?
Consumers should look for properties that are doing their part in sustainability. Do they market or advertise their initiatives? I love a good recycle and give back program. At one of our properties, Pasea Hotel and Spa, we offer guests free logoed sandals upon their stay. If the guest leaves the sandals behind or does not use them, we donate them to a local charity. We have a variety of wellness and sustainable initiatives active, so I highly encourage you to be inquisitive of your travel and how you came make an impact with us!
How does PHG incorporate sustainable wellness into its properties?
PHG has not only dedicated a full-time corporate employee (myself) as a leader in wellness and sustainability for our company, I was one of the first if not the first in the industry with a wellness title. During COVID, that title quickly caught eyes and many companies started creating the position within their organizations. Since I came to PHG focusing on sustainability and wellness, we have made great effort in bigger initiatives such as removing plastic waste from our water, eliminating toxins in cleaning supplies, procuring industry needed products that are eco-friendly and green, working toward sustainable retail partners, and more.