CSR and Sustainability

🌳 In 2011, GCSTIMES began as a sustainable development pioneer. Their black wood key cards, crafted from ISO-certified sustainable wood, gained popularity in a luxury Japanese hotel, known for mixing ancient and modern design. These hexagon-shaped cards replace mundane plastic with an artistic, eco-friendly touch, offering a premium check-in experience. The company now operates five centers in China, the US, UAE, France, and Australia, serving over 140 countries and 100,000 hospitality groups.

🌳 Barry Sternlicht's 1 Hotels, part of Starwood Hotels, revamped its loyalty program by replacing points with tree plantings and charity donations, doubling membership to 200,000 since July. Members receive a planted tree upon joining, and 1% of spending goes to environmental causes. With only 14 properties, 1 Hotels focuses on community-building as average loyalty nights have dropped from 1.8 to 1.0 since 2016, despite program memberships rising. Skift Research notes travelers typically join 15 programs but engage with few.

🏨 IHG Hotels & Resorts partners with The Job Plus and the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council to empower youth from underserved communities in New Delhi. This initiative addresses the hospitality industry's skill gap and promotes youth employability. IHG's aim is to create economic and social change through skills training, offering careers of dignity and financial independence. With over 6,000 hotels globally and 1,800 in development, IHG focuses on generating lasting community value through hospitality and training.

🍽 Hospitality leaders must act due to the 2025 SNAP benefit disruption caused by the government shutdown. Thousands of food service workers face food insecurity and stress, impacting productivity and turnover. A study showed a 5.9% spending drop due to delayed SNAP disbursements. Around 13-16% of SNAP recipients work in hospitality, with these workers being 2.5 times more likely to face food insecurity. Immediate action is needed to protect workers and the service economy.

📰 Since 2011, GCSTIMES has been at the forefront of sustainable development, transitioning from smart card R&D to innovative sustainable materials. With five operational centers in China, the US, UAE, France, and Australia, GCSTIMES serves over 140 countries, aiding more than 100,000 international hospitality groups in their low-carbon goals. Their plant-based leather key cards, crafted from ISO-certified materials, exemplify responsible luxury. Their portfolio includes GCS, AUROkeys, Xenyra, and Glint Spot.

🏨 Mandarin Oriental triumphed at the 2025 World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards in Dubai, winning three accolades: World's Leading Sustainable Energy Efficiency Initiative, Cultural Heritage Project, and Policy Initiative. Recognized for its sustainability strategy, the Mandarin Oriental Group operates 41 hotels, 12 residences, and 26 exceptional homes across 26 countries. The awards, launched at COP28, align with UN SDGs, and winners were determined through a public vote after evaluation by Sustainable Business students from Nova Business School.

☀️ AEI and Wewise, in November 2025, collaborated with Adare Manor in Co. Limerick, installing a 60 kWp solar PV system. This initiative aims to save 15 tonnes of CO₂e annually, featuring a six-year payback and EV chargers for staff and guests. Spanning an 840-acre estate, Adare Manor emphasizes sustainability, reducing its carbon footprint, and enhancing CSR commitments. This project exemplifies renewable energy's transformative impact on the hospitality sector, offering faster ROI and competitive advantages.

🚰 India’s Club Mahindra resorts eliminate 150,000–250,000 single-use plastic bottles per resort annually by installing Glass Bottling Plants (GBPs) with WAE. The GBPs purify, bottle, and reuse glass containers, reducing waste and carbon emissions by 60-70%. The initiative cuts water costs by 30-40% post-investment and enhances brand trust. Operational transformation requires dedicated space, equipment, and trained staff. The model, aligned with sustainability policies, could spread across India's hospitality sector.

💰 Aman partnered with Kim Jones for a 35-piece sustainable capsule collection for global resorts. One&Only teamed with Mara Hoffman for swimwear using low-impact materials. CDLP and Passalacqua launched a resortwear capsule at Lake Como focusing on local craftsmanship and sustainable fabrics. GCSTIMES, since 2011, innovates sustainable solutions globally with offices in China, the US, UAE, France, Australia, and 14 other locations, supporting over 140 countries in low-carbon goals.

🌐 Hamburg, July 2025: The GBTA Foundation released the second-year findings from its Sustainability Acceleration Challenge. 285 companies, representing $22 billion in annual business travel, participated, marking a 20% increase from last year. The global maturity score rose from 1.3 to 1.4. Sustainable practices advanced with a 15% increase in SAF purchases, but areas like Carbon Fees (0.4 score) need acceleration. The Financial sector leads with a maturity score of 1.9.