Data Collection & Monitoring:
How to approach things as a small scale property

The phrase “You can’t manage what you don’t measure” often gets repeated in the hospitality industry, and for good reason. Without data, you’re working blind. You may have the best intentions, but eventually your decisions become subjective. Without understanding your starting point, it’s impossible to know whether you’re actually improving.

At VHG Hospitality, we see data collection and monitoring as the foundation and starting point of our sustainability journey. It’s how we form our navigational baseline. But we also know that data isn’t everything. Sustainability isn’t just about numbers. It’s also about people, culture, and the natural environments that make our properties unique.

The 4C framework: Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce, reminds us of that balance. Measuring water, energy, and waste helps us manage our ecological footprint, but it’s equally important that we measure the positive impact we have on our other C’s: the jobs we create, the traditions we help keep alive, and the initiatives we take to ensure tourism gives back, and has a positive impact on the places we touch. 

Starting Simple

So where do you start? The key is to begin small, collect data you will use, and stay consistent.

For smaller lodges, collecting data can feel daunting or even unnecessary. Unlike large hotels, we don’t have a full-time sustainability team or make use of expensive monitoring tools. But that doesn’t make the practice any less important. It just means we need to approach it differently.

“I realised that all sustainability certifications nowadays require some sort of data collection. Pursuing certification is what pushed me initially to start collecting data on electricity, water and waste”. 

Allan Michaud
Lodge Manager , Cardamom Tented Camp

If you’re unsure where to start, start simple, and focus on energy, water, and waste. These are the most common metrics out there. There is no need to immediately invest in expensive tools, Excel can be your best friend here. 

  • Energy: Check your electricity bills or meter readings each month and record them.
  • Water: Do the same for your water bills or meters.
  • Waste: Start small. Begin by separating what your team already understands. Often, that’s plastic. Weigh the amount each week or month, and record it in your Excel file. Once this becomes routine, add aluminium, paper, or food waste.

“The hardest part was the initial setup. It takes time to decide what to measure, how to record it, and to get everyone trained and consistent. Once the systems are in place, it becomes much easier”.

George Newling-Ward, Lodge Manager 
Anurak Lodge

The goal isn’t perfection, it’s consistency. As you form habits, you’ll begin to spot patterns and opportunities to improve. Maybe your electricity use suddenly spikes in certain months, or your plastic waste drops after switching to refillable bottles. Each number tells a story, and each story helps guide your next steps.

Data vs. Impact

Collecting data isn’t only about improving operational efficiency, or ticking boxes for a certification. It’s about making informed choices that align with your values and purpose
Operational efficiency matters, but so does the bigger picture. In the hospitality industry, sustainability is about creating places where both people and nature can grow and improve together. That means looking beyond consumption metrics and asking:
  • What community projects have we supported?
  • How much have we invested in staff development? 
  • How have we helped preserve local culture or nature?
These questions might not always come with numbers, but they carry equal weight in measuring impact. 

Keeping Things Real

The most important thing about data collection is consistency. Start with what’s realistic for your team, not just what looks good on paper. 

At Anurak Lodge, we recently completed 1 full year of data collection for water, energy, and waste. We chose to start with these metrics because we were pursuing Travelife certification this summer. These numbers form a baseline that help guide our next steps. “Once we started tracking properly, we realized how much small daily actions add up. The data helped make invisible habits visible,” says George.

As we approach the end of 2025, we’re expanding our metrics to align with our 2026 goals and broader 4C framework. We’re also ensuring we tap into the strengths of our local staff, who bring deep knowledge and passion to our sustainability efforts. Data helps us measure our footprint. The 4Cs help us remember why it matters, and our people, community, and shared purpose keep us moving forward.

Next month, we’ll explore waste separation and how our properties are currently tackling recycling in remote locations. Make sure to check out our next article! 

Natalie van Ogtrop, VHG Hospitality
November 2025