CSR and Sustainability

🛡 The hospitality industry generates 150 million tons of single-use plastic annually. Hotels implementing sustainable practices can attract guests, improve brand reputation, and save on costs by reducing single-use amenities and using refillable containers. Additional measures include setting up water refill stations for reusable bottles, using biodegradable trash bags, and making recycling easy for guests and staff. These eco-friendly practices contribute to environmental protection and can enhance a hotel's appeal to environmentally conscious travelers.

🏨 Choice Hotels International announced the first contract under the SOAR program with Damon Healey of Eternal Companies for converting two Georgia hotels to Suburban Studios, opened May 30. Suburban Studios Columbus Bradley Park has 92 rooms, and Suburban Studios Macon North has 73 rooms. In 2023, Choice's SOAR program signed 28 new franchises, including 9 with African American and 17 with female entrepreneurs. HERtels by Choice, since 2021, has led to 59 female-owned hotels.

🥕 IHG Greater China, Dossen Hotel Group, and Orange Hotels pledge to transform 30-70% of their menus to plant-based options by 2025. This shift will impact over 3,500 hotels in response to a survey where almost 90% of Chinese consumers plan to eat more plant-based foods. IHG was the first to set such a policy in June, while state-owned Dossen aims for 30% plant-based items across their 2,000 hotels and 1,500 in development. Huazhu Group's Orange Hotels targets 70% at over 750 locations.

🎂 Williams Refrigeration in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, celebrated 210 years of combined service with a lunch and awards on August 22. Ten employees, each with at least 20 years at the company, were honored. Purchasing manager Robert Smith, with 30 years at Williams, attributes staff retention to a supportive and dynamic work environment. Production operative Ian Wiggins notes significant technological advances and environmental improvements in their products. The company, a leading manufacturer in several industries, operates globally with manufacturing sites in China and Australia and sales facilities worldwide.

📖 With an 83% of global travelers deeming sustainable travel essential and 61% wanting to travel more sustainably post-pandemic, hotels are leveraging regenerative tourism to attract these conscious consumers. Regenerative tourism—going beyond sustainability—aims to actively enhance local communities and ecosystems. Hotels market these efforts through storytelling, highlighting projects like coral reef restoration or local artisan collaborations. Digital platforms, authenticity, and educating guests are key strategies. Challenges include costs and quantifying impact, but with effective communication, hotels can tap into a market that prioritizes environmental and ethical considerations.

🏆 The Champions of Sustainability award, part of the Travolution Awards 2024's Special Achievement category, will be announced on November 28 in London. The award recognizes companies making significant strides in environmental impact reduction. This year's shortlist showcases the industry’s efforts in sustainability and technology's role in this progress. Shortlist details are available on Travolution's website.

🏥 Amanda Hite, president of STR, a CoStar Group company, will be honored as the 2025 Shatterproof Hospitality Heroes honoree for her efforts against addiction stigma during the eighth annual Hospitality Heroes Reception at ALIS on January 29, 2025, in Norwalk, Connecticut. The event, raising funds to transform addiction treatment in the U.S., has collected over $5 million with the support of 100+ hotel companies and 500+ employees since its inception. Hite's involvement includes rappelling for the Shatterproof Challenge and serving on various industry boards. The hospitality sector has twice the rate of substance use disorders compared to other industries.

🏠 Shannon Knapp, CEO of Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), credits her study abroad experience in Geneva and her tenure at American Express's Travel division as formative to her hospitality career. LHW, with over 400 hotels in 80+ countries, launched the Sustainability Leaders collection in October 2023, recognizing nearly 100 hotels for sustainable practices aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) criteria. The brand has observed a 30% revenue increase for hotels with Spa-Inclusive programs and a 10% extension in guest stays.

📝 Hospitality industry faces 70-80% annual employee turnover, with low wages, long hours, and limited growth opportunities as key reasons. Hospitality America is combating this with mentorship programs led by Justin Deyo, Corporate Director of Operations, who has 20 years of experience. Mentoring includes imparting guest interaction protocols and operation best practices, aiming to foster a sense of value among employees. Notable statistics: 90% of workers with mentors are happy in their jobs, mentored employees are five times more likely to be promoted, 84% of Fortune 500 companies offer mentorship programs, yet only 37% of workers have a mentor. Since the pandemic, mentoring initiatives increased by 30% in organizations. Hospitality America's program emphasizes a culture of PEACH—Passionate, Excellence, Adaptable, Community, Humble—to guide success.

🏨 DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City Downtown, managed by HRI Hospitality and redesigned by Studio 11, completed renovation of its central atrium, lobby, guestrooms, food and beverage concepts, fitness center, and indoor pool. Featuring 241 all-suite rooms, the hotel showcases a new aesthetic inspired by Salt Lake City with geometric carpeting, SLC-inspired artwork, and updated amenities including Crabtree & Evelyn products. Red Beryl Kitchen and Red Beryl Bar offer Southwest cuisine and local beers. Sustainability initiatives include Wi-Suite thermostats and LED lighting.