VisitScotland boss to chair sustainability event for hospitality companies in Edinburgh

An Edinburgh tech company is set to host an event chaired by VisitScotland boss Malcolm Roughhead to help businesses in the hospitality sector become more sustainable and reduce their carbon emissions.

IntelliDigest founder Ifeyinwa Rita Kanu has organised the event at the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Picture: Heriot-Watt University

Organised by IntelliDigest founder Ifeyinwa Rita Kanu, the conference at the Royal Society of Edinburgh on Monday 9 March will highlight ways in which new technologies enable businesses to record energy and water consumption, as well as waste management.

Such measures can help hospitality firms to boost operational efficiency and reduce costs, while also lowering CO2 emissions and embracing a circular economy, said Kanu.

Guest speakers include Martin-Vignerte Eman, director at Bosch; Benedetta Cassinelli, chief executive at environmental impact group Considerate Hoteliers; and Lloyd Hardy, founder and director of tech start-up Erp2.

Roughead said: "Sustainable communities are at the heart of tourism so we need to ensure that every part of Scotland benefits but in a managed way.

‘’We're currently looking at how we can grow our internal success story around sustainability and then with partners across the whole industry look to ensuring that we address economic, social and environmental sustainability challenges and opportunities.”

IntelliDigest has received ongoing support from Business Gateway Edinburgh and the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Kanu said: “[The event] will provide an opportunity to discuss how insights derived from advances in technology such as big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain and molecular biology will enable an eco-friendlier hospitality service across different sectors such as hotels, restaurants, schools and universities and businesses.”

She cited the inclusion of measurable and transparent sustainability ratings which will not “necessarily cost the business more financially”.

Susan Harkins, head of Business Gateway Edinburgh, added: “We have been delighted to be able to continue to support Ifeyinwa at IntelliDigest over the last year in areas including business acceleration and marketing, and also with her forthcoming event to help businesses in the hospitality sector become more sustainable."