hallo@koncepthotels.com
Book Best Price Now

The FAIRESPONSIBILITY REPORT 2026

“Sustainability, made for people”

At KONCEPT HOTELS, sustainability is not a trend, but part of our everyday life. And this in the midst of an industry where ecology and economy often do not speak the same language – and where “green” is often just a sticker on the hotel entrance.
In 2026, as always, our compass will be the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. They guide us – also in our seventh FAIRESPONSIBILITY REPORT – toward greater equality, healthy living spaces, and genuine responsibility for people, nature, and animals.

Sustainability requires attitude. But it also requires structure, courage, and good partners. That’s why we have anchored it at management level and turned many small steps into a clear strategy. And we know that true sustainability can only be achieved by working together – with people, organizations, and ideas that share the same goal. Despite rising costs and adverse conditions, we have made progress in 2025: from sustainable agriculture and energy-efficient renovations to inclusion and equality.

The main objectives of Agenda 2030 are:

  • Ending poverty, hunger, and inequality
  • Building a global partnership
  • Respecting the Earth’s ecological limits, combating climate change, preserving natural resources, and using them sustainably
  • Strengthening and securing people’s self-determination, gender equality, and a good and healthy life for all
  • Protecting human rights, peace, good governance, and access to justice
  • Promoting and shaping prosperity and sustainable lifestyles for all people
Here you can find our complete Fairesponsibility Report 2026, also available for download as a PDF file

Our focus goals for 2026

  • State-of-the-art technology in a historic building: We want to set new standards in the proptech sector with our KONCEPT HOTEL Altes Spital.
  • Preserving history: For several months now, we have been supporting the historic Hotel & Restaurant Ole Liese at Gut Panker. Despite construction measures that will carry the historic hotel into the future, we will carefully preserve its history and valuable features.
  • Circular construction: We are carrying out renovation and refurbishment work in Rottweil and at Gut Panker in accordance with the principles of circular construction.

Sustainability is not a goal that can be ticked off a list – it is a path that must be followed. We will continue to follow this path in 2026 with conviction, team spirit, and a healthy dose of courage.

Our overarching goal remains our compass: the continuous reduction of CO2 emissions in all areas of the company. In this way, we are contributing to the Paris Climate Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius, and following our conviction that true progress can only be sustainable.

Step by step towards greater sustainabilityThis is how KONCEPT HOTELS is implementing the 17 goals of the UN Agenda 2030:

Development of wages and room rates since 2017

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Since KONCEPT HOTELS was founded in 2017, we have consistently pursued the goal of combining fair and sustainable working conditions with economic stability. A central component of this responsibility is fair pay for our employees. Starting wages—our internal minimum wage—have risen by around 51% since 2017, significantly exceeding the general wage trend in the hotel industry. This development reflects our commitment to valuing work in the hotel industry and shaping it as a profession with prospects, meaning, and fair conditions. At the same time, average room rates in Germany rose by only around 26% over the same period. Despite considerable cost pressure from energy, consumables, and suppliers, we were able to secure our profitability and further increase wages—made possible by more efficient processes, modern technologies, and targeted automation.

Sustainable partnership for responsible enjoyment

Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture

At KONCEPT HOTEL Neue Horizonte in Tübingen, the entire range of food and beverages is based on sustainable, regional agriculture. In close cooperation with our partner b2 Bio pur, we consistently focus on high-quality organic products that are produced and processed under fair conditions in the Neckar-Alb region. Founded by Sabine Franz and Stefan Schopf, b2 Bio pur has stood for a holistically sustainable value chain for the protection of people, animals, and the environment for over 20 years. What started as a small farm shop has developed into a versatile organic business with its own market garden, regional markets, and delivery service. The cooperation reflects our shared attitude: sustainability can only be achieved as a team. Short delivery routes, fair partnerships, and regional value creation result in a gastronomy that is ecologically sound, socially responsible, and culinarily convincing.

KONCEPT is colorful

Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

At KONCEPT HOTELS, diversity is not a stated goal, but rather a part of everyday life. Our teams include people from different backgrounds, cultures, languages, age groups, and walks of life—and it is precisely this diversity that makes us strong. Our corporate culture, our creativity, and our hospitality arise from the interplay of many perspectives. We are convinced that the hotel industry cannot survive without immigration and openness. That is why we treat every team member with respect and offer equal opportunities, regardless of their origin, gender, religion, age, or identity. At the same time, we always view diversity as a responsibility. We create a working environment in which openness and tolerance are a matter of course, clear rules apply, and respectful, fair cooperation is based on shared ethical principles.

Knowledge protects

Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

At KONCEPT HOTELS, we invest specifically in the qualifications of our employees, particularly in the areas of occupational health and safety. Through regular training and further education—for example, as safety officers, in first aid courses, or in training as occupational safety specialists—we create an environment in which prevention and a sense of responsibility are a matter of course. The measures are deliberately designed to be open and involve different teams: from managers to telephone service to fire safety and first aid roles. In this way, we combine individual training with corporate responsibility. Personal growth is promoted and, at the same time, the safety culture throughout the company is strengthened in the long term. Because we are convinced that occupational safety only works if knowledge is shared, taken seriously, and actively practiced in everyday work.

Equality matters

Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

At KONCEPT HOTELS, we offer equal opportunities regardless of gender identity. While women in Germany earned on average 18% less than men in 2023 according to the Federal Statistical Office, we consciously focus on gender-neutral pay. Women make up 62% of our workforce. They work 63% of the hours and receive 67% of the total wage bill. In order to measure wage equality transparently, we calculate our Gini coefficient annually, which reflects the equal distribution of income. While the average value in the EU in 2024 was 29.4 and in Germany 29.5, we at KONCEPT HOTELS once again achieved a significantly better value of 16.1 in 2025. This confirms our commitment to fair, transparent, and equitable pay.

Rain for Rottweil

Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

When renovating the Old Hospital in Rottweil, our focus was not only on architecture and design, but also on the responsible use of resources. The approximately 580 square meters of roof space on the Neckar Valley side will no longer be connected to the sewer system, but will instead become part of a sustainable water cycle. In cooperation with the city of Rottweil, rainwater will be directed into a newly constructed cistern and then used to irrigate the city center’s plants and the historic hospital garden. This solution reduces the burden on the sewer system, conserves resources, and saves valuable drinking water. Based on the official DWD average values, this means that the roof area of the Old Hospital can collect almost 500,000 liters of rainwater per year, which can be used sensibly and sustainably—every rain shower thus contributes to a greener Rottweil.

Good energy for heating

Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all

A hotel needs energy to provide comfort—and responsibility to act sustainably. At KONCEPT HOTELS, we combine both by consciously supplying our hotels with sustainable energy, thereby creating an environment that promotes awareness among guests and employees. At the KONCEPT HOTEL Altes Spital in Rottweil, which will open in 2026/2027 after extensive renovation, we are relying on CO₂-neutral wood chip heating. It uses renewable wood residues and works with modern exhaust gas aftertreatment for particularly low particulate matter values. The wood chips come from a local partner in the neighboring Neckar Valley, with a transport distance of only two kilometers. In this way, we combine climate protection, regional cooperation, and efficient energy supply—sustainably conceived and consistently implemented.

Special people, special opportunities

Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all

At KONCEPT HOTELS, we give special people special support. Instead of just looking for the right people for existing positions, we create jobs that suit the people. This creates spaces where diversity, participation, and individual potential are specifically promoted. Around 27% of our employees are mothers—and each one of them is an asset to our company. Flexible working models make it possible to combine family and career in a meaningful way. In addition, we offer integrated workplaces for people with special needs in three of our hotels. In cooperation with Caritas Wertarbeit Cologne, we create working environments that go beyond mere employment and promote meaning, self-confidence, and mutual appreciation. This makes working at KONCEPT HOTELS a connecting element—for people, perspectives, and new opportunities.

Innovation and infrastructure

Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation

With the KONCEPT HOTEL Altes Spital, we are demonstrating how sustainable urban development and technological innovation can work together successfully. In the historic old town of Rottweil, we are revitalizing a listed ensemble of buildings and carefully guiding it into a modern, digital future. Instead of sealing off new areas, we are consciously investing in existing buildings, thereby preserving their architectural identity and history. The renovation will create a state-of-the-art hotel with smart energy and heating systems, digital booking and access solutions, and resource-efficient building technology. At the same time, the project strengthens the regional infrastructure, revitalizes the city center, creates jobs, and promotes local gastronomy, trade, and culture. The Altes Spital is thus becoming a model for sustainable, resilient infrastructure and future-oriented innovation.

Every skill counts

Goal 10: Reduce inequality

At KONCEPT HOTELS, we see differences as strengths. What is often perceived as a limitation can, in the right environment, give rise to valuable skills. Together with Caritasverband für die Stadt Köln e.V., we have developed a special guest gift that our guests have been finding on their pillows since 2024. In a Caritas workshop, a working group carefully fills parchment bags with organic seeds by hand – from weighing to labeling. The seeds come from a traditional German breeding company with over 150 years of history, and the packaging is provided by a family business in the Swabian Alb with more than 75 years of experience. The result is a small, meaningful product that combines sustainability, social responsibility, and craftsmanship—simple in appearance, but rich in meaning.

Of horses and puddles

Goal 11: Make cities and settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable

In front of the historic KONCEPT HOTEL Löie in Münsingen, a cast-iron horse tethering bar and a piece of round stone paving made of river pebbles are reminders of centuries past. When some stones broke off and a small puddle formed, it was clear that a simple repair was out of the question for this historic monument. Instead, a building application with detailed technical drawings was submitted and approved by the Federal Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments in Bern. Finally, the last officially recognized river pebble cobblestone paver in Switzerland was found, who professionally renewed the historic pavement. Today, it shines again as it once did – and the former puddle remains a charming chapter in the history of monument preservation. Gued isch!

Our children’s menu for Ole Liese

Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

The historic Panker estate, a place steeped in history and hospitality, combines tradition, nature, and special details. At the future Ole Liese hotel and restaurant, we want to make this magic tangible for our youngest guests as well. To this end, we have lovingly designed two children’s plates of our own, on which we serve our spaghetti with tomato sauce. The plates are made in the ceramics workshop of the Dominikus-Ringeisen-Werk, a workshop for people with special needs. Each plate is painted by hand and features an individual motif: a little king or princess. The result is a unique product that combines enjoyment, social commitment, and childlike joy—and brings a smile to more than just children’s faces.

Preserving historical buildings is climate protection

Goal 13: Take immediate action to combat climate change and its impacts

Preserving historical buildings is both active climate protection and monument preservation—as the Old Hospital in Rottweil impressively demonstrates. The walls, which are up to 600 years old, contain a large amount of so-called gray CO₂, i.e., emissions that would be generated again in a new building. The roof truss alone, dating from 1570, has been binding carbon for centuries. Through conscious preservation and careful modernization, we are preventing this stored CO₂ from being released again. The renovation is therefore much more than a construction project: it combines history, responsibility, and sustainability. Once completed, the building will meet the KfW Efficiency House 70 standard. In combination with modern building technology and energy optimization, this will save around 50,000 tons of CO₂ in the future. The Old Hospital shows that sustainable progress often lies in preservation.

Natural cleaning and washing

Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development

Water is one of the most valuable resources in our lives—and protecting it starts in our everyday lives. At KONCEPT HOTELS, we are particularly conscious of our water usage in hotel operations in order to make a long-term contribution to the conservation of this globally essential resource. We rely on proven environmentally friendly cleaning agents from the sustainable Tana-Professionell product line with biodegradable ingredients, recyclable packaging, and EU Ecolabel certification. An efficient cleaning schedule and the use of a dry steam cleaner that requires no chemicals further reduce water consumption. We also look for sustainable solutions in areas indirectly related to water: since 2022, we have been using textiles made from a special yarn that absorbs very little water during washing. This allows us to reduce our consumption of water, energy, and detergent at the same time.

A hotel for nature: renaturation begins

Goal 15: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems

The decline in insect populations in Europe is alarming – that’s why we at KONCEPT HOTELS took action in 2022 and acquired a 5,000 m² meadow area, which we are gradually renaturing. An intensively farmed area is being transformed into a species-rich rough pasture. The project has been officially underway since July 2024: after approval from the district administration and an inventory, implementation began. We now only mow twice a year, have completely stopped using fertilizers, and are thus specifically promoting the return of wild bees, butterflies, and native plants. Annual monitoring accompanies the development in a professional manner. Under the name “HOTEL FOR NATURE,” the area is becoming part of our sustainability management—with sponsorships that allow guests and companies to actively contribute to biodiversity.

Managing sustainability professionally

Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development

Sustainability has always been part of our DNA at KONCEPT HOTELS. However, as the company grew and became more complex, it became clear that isolated measures were no longer sufficient. That is why we have made ESG a top priority. In the person of our authorized signatory and financial manager Elena Linke, sustainability is now firmly anchored at management level. Thanks to her further training as a sustainability manager according to the ZNU standard of the University of Witten/Herdecke, sustainability is becoming an integral part of our management system. This enables us to strategically, holistically, and professionally manage our commitment to people and nature across all areas of the company. The focus is increasingly on structure, transparency, and measurability—not only to live sustainable development, but also to clearly demonstrate it and continuously develop it further.

Long-standing partnerships that make us strong

Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

At KONCEPT HOTELS, sustainability begins with attitude—and is reflected in long-term, trusting relationships. Since our founding, we have worked closely with workshops for people with special needs. Since 2017, the St. Stephanus workshops have been a reliable partner with whom we have developed numerous projects that combine craftsmanship, individuality, and social responsibility. Our collaboration with Caritas Wertarbeit Cologne is also an integral part of our everyday life. There, gifts for our guests are created with heart and soul. A special example are the hand-painted children’s plates for the Hotel & Restaurant Ole Liese at Gut Panker, which are individually crafted as unique pieces. These partnerships go far beyond classic supply relationships—they stand for appreciation, inclusion, and cooperation that makes sense for everyone involved and has a lasting effect.

Our focus goals for 2026

State-of-the-art technology in a historic building: With our new hotel project in Rottweil, we are setting standards in the proptech sector in a historic property. From sensor-controlled ventilation and presence detectors that regulate the room temperature to heat recovery from exhaust air: the KONCEPT HOTEL Altes Spital is setting new standards.

Preserving history: In addition to our 650-year-old inn at the KONCEPT HOTEL Löie and the KONCEPT HOTEL Altes Spital, we will be entrusted with the historic Hotel & Restaurant Ole Liese at Gut Panker in 2026. We are happy to accept this assignment and will also lead this wonderful hotel into the future – while preserving the charm and uniqueness of this special place.

Circular construction: We try to implement as best we can what is not always possible: both in Rottweil and at Gut Panker, we are reusing existing materials and furniture. Some materials are being reworked and stored during the renovation work so that they can be reused afterwards. Of course, wherever possible, we also carefully refurbish furniture instead of simply putting “almost furniture” in the rooms.

Our goal for 2030: Maximum emission reduction

The Paris Climate Agreement provided global climate policy with a new binding framework in December 2015. To date, 188 countries have signed the agreement. In doing so, they have committed themselves to the goal of limiting global warming to well below two degrees Celsius. Among other things, this is to be achieved by reducing CO2 emissions. The result is a balance between emissions caused on the one hand and emissions avoided on the other.

At KONCEPT HOTELS, we want to achieve maximum emission reductions by 2030 at the latest. This means that we will measure our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, draw up a reduction plan, and offset emissions. By 2035, we have set ourselves the goal of “net zero” and thus also the inclusion of Scope 3 emissions.

Martin Stockburger sitzt auf einer Kommode

“WE WILL CONTINUE TOGETHER.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.”

 

Discover your passion for…

KONCEPT HOTELS

Book Best Price