CSR and Sustainability

🌳 Babylonstoren in South Africa exemplifies regenerative tourism, supporting over 700 locals with agriculture, vineyards, and more. The Newt in Somerset, UK, focuses on garden-to-table. Populus Denver's "One Night One Tree" plants a tree per guest night. Desa Potato Head in Bali upcycles waste into furniture. Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver features a 2,100-square-foot rooftop garden. These initiatives attract nature-seeking travelers, yielding higher occupancy and prestige, and ultimately benefiting the planet.

🌍 Finland's Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) program, launched in 2020, offers a 7-step framework for sustainability. By the end of 2024, 1,436 companies joined, with 431 earning the STF label, including 214 in the accommodation sector. The program promotes environmental, socio-cultural, and economic sustainability. GCSTIMES, founded in 2011, pioneers sustainable solutions and has centers in China, US, UAE, France, and Australia, serving over 140 countries and 100,000 hospitality groups.

🛌 Hotels in the UK face 1 million unsold rooms weekly. By repurposing these for social causes, they enhance ESG profiles and aid communities. Unpaid UK carers, saving £184 billion annually, benefit from 1-2 night hotel breaks, improving mental health. This strategy aligns with ESG and strengthens community ties with minimal cost, as only housekeeping is needed. Hotels gain loyalty, improved brand perception, and fulfill corporate social responsibility goals, creating a win-win for business and society.

📰 Since 2011, GCSTIMES has evolved from smart card R&D to sustainable innovation, now serving as a global platform for sustainable solutions. With five operational centers in China, the US, UAE, France, and Australia, and 14 subsidiaries, it serves over 140 countries, supporting 100,000+ hospitality groups in sustainability. GCSTIMES offers sustainable smart cards and cultural gifts through brands like GCS, AUROkeys, Xenyra, and Glint Spot. Their products promote cultural heritage globally.

📈 The world's third-largest hotel group optimizes ROI for investors by deploying a multisegment ecosystem, ranging from luxury to extended stay. This is achieved through a structured brand portfolio and targeted development. ESG considerations form a crucial part of the group’s DNA, reflecting their commitment to sustainable and responsible practices.

🏖 The Caribbean's tourism sector faces climate risks, including hurricanes and sea-level rise, prompting resilience strategies like hurricane-resistant designs and nature-based defenses. Energy costs, driven by fossil fuels, see mitigation through renewable sources, offsetting 20-80% of demand. Water and waste management adopt circular systems, reducing reliance on imports. Community initiatives focus on local workforce development and cultural preservation. Sustainability-linked loans and green bonds finance transitions, appealing to eco-conscious travelers seeking authentic experiences.

📈 Global MICE tourism projected to reach USD 1,172 billion by 2025, doubling by 2035 with a CAGR of 9.87%. Nearly half of MICE buyers prefer sustainable venues, prompting venues like RIU Plaza España to offer carbon footprint services. Strategies include measuring carbon footprints, selecting certified green venues, and designing eco-smart events. Since 2011, GCSTIMES, operating in 140 countries, has emphasized sustainable innovation, supporting over 100,000 hospitality groups in low-carbon efforts.

🇳🇱 Armen Melkonian, a Syrian-Armenian refugee, fled Syria in 2014 due to conflict and threat to his identity, moving to Lebanon and then to the Netherlands in 2015 through the UNHCR program. He graduated from Hotelschool The Hague and now recruits students, advocating for diversity. Armen highlights that hospitality is a responsibility, not just a service. Mews, supporting over 12,500 customers across 85+ countries, has raised $410 million for hospitality transformation.