Hospitality industry has always been the front-runner for growth in India and has become one of the mainstays of the service industry in India. In 2014-15, the industry contributed over 10% to the GDP and that alone shows its importance in the country. It has also witnessed double-digit growth over the period 2011-2014 clocking over 11% CAGR. With tourism being on the government’s agenda firmly, the hospitality industry is only bound to benefit as a key contributor to the sector.
One of the most expensive things that impact the hospitality business per se is the cost of energy and this is the single largest and unfortunately fastest growing operating expense for any establishment. In India, according to hospitality industry reports, energy as a cost is almost 8% to 15% of a hotel’s gross revenue and therefore needs to be looked at carefully and in a controlled way as it impacts profitability more than any other expense. Lighting is an important constituent of this cost.
Lighting impacts the visitors/guests perception of the spaces and therefore the hospitality industry has possibly the maximum applications for lighting. The trends that are available globally are also keeping each one of the application and area in mind separately. But one common undercurrent across the globe is moving away from the energy guzzlers and looking for energy-efficient alternatives. Incandescents are completely out as they are the most energy-inefficient lighting sources and halogens and CFLs which are widely used for the exteriors are also being replaced. LEDs are the preferred choice when it comes to energy efficiency as well as aesthetics, which are a very big decision- making reason.
In the hospitality industry, the prospect of reducing energy consumption, as well as considerably negating the environmental impact while incurring humungous savings is a major positive. Add to that the benefits that can accrue to the guests in terms of comfort, mood lighting and health through LEDs and their benefits and this is a win-win situation. For the industry where every penny counts, one of most important reasons that the energy efficiency campaigns are working is the impressive RoIs that are visible and the marked difference in the energy bills each month.
Hospitality industry basically sells an experience and for each segment, the experience addresses the needs for that area and the target audience. So while the façade has to be “different” and “unique” and at the same time classy and present an appealing exterior, the outdoors have to be visible and landscaping enhanced by lighting, but not really bright. The lobby has to be inviting, the bars and restaurants lit in softer, intimate hues, the rooms have to be lit up in a fashion that invites sleep and the bathrooms have to be well lit. Each area demands attention separately and luckily LEDs have the solutions that help each area with clean, uniformly distributed light that can use different colour spectrums for different needs.
In an industry which is constantly evolving, the ambience of the establishment, lighting has a great impact on guest comfort. The use of lighting can add to or subtract from the overall colours of the space or from only those surfaces the light is meant to enhance. While lighting up the interiors one has to keep in mind the colour combinations to be used, size of the space to be lit up and the décor/furniture/functionality that it has.
In all, there are three basic types of hotel lighting Ambient Lighting
Ambient Lighting is a general illumination that comes from all directions in a room that has no visible source. This type of lighting is in contrast to directional lighting. It provides a soft, comfortable level of light for watching television or having a conversation.
Task Lighting
It basically means to light up a small area where a particular task is being performed. It is used in dining rooms where the food is being served. The most important character in task lighting is that the light source should not produce multiple shadows at the point of application as it can cause the strain in the eyes.
Accent Lighting
Accent Lighting is lighting that emphasises an area of or an object in a room. This lighting adds to the drama or style of a room by highlighting certain aspects of a room's decor. It is used in lighting up a picture or painting it is very important to avoid glare and give an even distribution of light.
The key trends for lighting visible across the hospitality industry are as follows:
- Incandescent and CFLs as well as halogens are moving out, as mentioned earlier.
- A continuous movement toward room keycard access. This is an effective and low- cost tool for energy savings as it ensures that any lights and other electrical equipment are used only when the room is occupied. The focus is on optimal energy utilisation, reducing wastage/spillage and can add to regular energy savings. This is the next big thing, when it comes to economy hotels – these are already the norm in the luxury segment.
- Smart lighting technology for lighting up the common areas that have inbuilt motion sensors is in. This leads to massive energy savings for corridors, banqueting areas, common washrooms and attached baths, lawns and pool areas, Spas and wellness areas, housekeeping and staircases and so on. Any area that is not being used automatically switches off extra lighting and uses only basic illumination to keep the area visible and “safe.” This also leads to energy savings.
- Smart lighting technology that uses sensors to check/recalibrate the needs based on the available light/sunlight – mostly used for lobbies and conferencing and banqueting facilities. As soon as the exterior / normal sunlight levels dip, the automatic dimmers come into play and brighten the areas and vice versa.
- Using dynamic coloured LEDs for the different areas – different for exterior and façade lighting, different for wellness areas and pools - Red spectrum with proven health benefits that make one feel energised and so on. Blue light spectrum makes one feel awake and alert and is excellent for conferencing and social areas like restaurants and bars.
- LEED certification is the next big thing for the industry and from 2014, the credits for conservation of energy and creating healthier guest environments are also available to the members. Lighting can therefore be a key component of LEED projects, particularly in hotels, because of the sheer number of indoor and outdoor fixtures. Compared to other improvements in energy segment, such as high-efficiency heating, cooling or AC systems, lighting tends to offer a faster payback at a lower cost — and with minimal disruption to hotel guests. LEED also allows hoteliers to earn credits for using lighting controls to optimise energy use throughout the day.
These are some of the most important trends available across the industry today. Each and every hotel and dining establishment requires a solution that can reduce its energy consumption and also provide quick return on investment and hospitality segment is no exception and the obvious answer is the versatile LED lighting, that enhances the visually appealing areas in a hotel and create the desired mood and ambience.
The global industry has realised how big a difference lighting can make to its atmosphere and how it complements to the overall experience for its guests. Hotel lighting which was earlier a "must have" basic function, has now transformed into lighting that provides more than illumination - it complements architecture, furniture, and artwork; it saves energy; and it provides the concluding touch that brings a room to life. It is basically a statement of style, class and individuality and sets each property apart from its peers.
LEDs have transformed the very nature of lighting by opening up immense possibilities and every single day heralds a new opportunity. LED lighting has helped the hospitality industry get the best quality lighting solutions to lower energy consumption levels, with the added convenience of longer life and aesthetics that contribute to creating an ambiance that is welcoming and blends in effortlessly with the colour, mood, beauty, and style of the place.
Possibly the best is yet to come. There is an increasing demand from the hospitality industry to integrate lighting into building systems and now-a-days, people also want to control lighting from mobile phones/tabs over their wireless network. Then there is research going on in the segment of Li- Fi and it is hoped that shortly this too will become a reality.
