Since their creation, the Hospitality Awards have recognised the efforts made at every level to improve hotel operations. The Local Awards are dedicated to individual initiatives developed within single properties, driven by the same commitment to innovation and excellence.
WINNER: A Day of Inspiration (Holiday Inn Yerevan, Armenia)
At Holiday Inn Yerevan Republic Square, the team created A Day of Inspiration, a social and educational program for students displaced from Artsakh. Led by Director of Sales Emma, the initiative invited participants to discover hotel operations, explore hospitality careers, and experience teamwork in a supportive environment. Through workshops, guided tours, and collaboration with local NGOs, the hotel offered hope, learning, and professional inspiration to young people rebuilding their lives after conflict. This initiative embodies hospitality’s true purpose: care, empathy, and empowerment, turning a place of work into a space of encouragement and new beginnings.
FINALIST: Beautiful Localhands (Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, Mauritius)
Created in 2006 by Fondation Espoir et Développement Beachcomber, Beautiful Localhands supports vulnerable Mauritian artisans by connecting them to the tourism market. The initiative offers training, workspace, and a direct sales platform across Beachcomber resorts, generating sustainable income and preserving local craftsmanship. Many artisans, often women, work from home or at the foundation’s workshop in Bambous, balancing family life and creativity. By promoting traditional techniques and empowering small entrepreneurs, Beautiful Localhands strengthens community resilience and safeguards Mauritius’s cultural heritage while ensuring that every guest experience contributes to social and economic inclusion.
FINALIST: nhow Marseille – Partnership with Le Grand Bleu (Marseille, France)
In partnership with Le Grand Bleu and the EDF Foundation, nhow Marseille opened its swimming pool to over 50 children from disadvantaged neighborhoods and with disabilities for free swimming lessons. Conducted by certified instructors and supported by local partners, the initiative encourages inclusion, self-confidence, and connection to the sea. It also raises environmental awareness about preserving the Mediterranean. Each child received daily snacks and nhow-branded towels, emphasizing care and dignity. This recurring program now runs annually, reflecting nhow Marseille’s commitment to social responsibility and to strengthening its ties with local communities through meaningful, hands-on action.
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