Optimising hotel sustainability through smart technology: A user-centred approach to measuring water usage via IoT sensors in housekeeping operations

In the hospitality industry, hotel housekeeping plays a critical role in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, particularly in bathrooms, where water consumption is often high. However, many hotels lack the real-time systems needed to monitor and optimise water usage during cleaning tasks, leading to inefficiencies and potential waste. This paper adopts a Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) approach to better understand housekeeping staff’s practices related to sustainable water use. This research delves deeper into the needs of housekeeping staff in the hospitality industry and investigates how integrating Internet of Things (IoT) ultrasonic water flow sensors can promote more sustainable cleaning practices by delivering actionable insights into water usage. Additionally the goal is to equip staff with insights to adjust cleaning methods, thereby enhancing resource efficiency and promoting sustainability. Moreover, the IoT solution aims to not only help reduce water waste but also to empower hotel management to make data-driven decisions regarding resource allocation. The findings highlight the specific needs of housekeeping staff concerning sustainable practices and discuss how IoT technologies can support their efforts to adopt greener methods. By enhancing housekeeping operations and fostering a culture of resource conservation, IoT can play a pivotal role in promoting sustainability. The paper concludes that the findings reinforce the importance of clearer communication and staff education echoing previous research and conclude that a HCI-driven approach to designing IoT solutions is essential for fostering truly comprehensive and sustainable practices in the tourism industry.