CSR and Sustainability

💻 In southwest England, near Exeter, the Voco Zeal Exeter hotel, located in a burgeoning science park, stands as a pioneering model in hospitality since its opening last year. It operates almost entirely without fossil fuels, thanks to innovative vertical solar panels—the first of their kind in the UK—covering both its cladding and roof. These panels generate approximately 50% of the hotel's annual electricity needs for its 142 rooms.

🌱 Agrobiodiversity enhances hotel experiences by offering unique, regionally-sourced foods, boosting guest appeal and ADR. It promotes climate resilience by diversifying food crops, reducing carbon emissions, and minimizing pesticide use. Unlike monocropping, agrobiodiversity sustains crop health and offers culinary and wellness experiences. By integrating indigenous crops and heirloom cultivars, hotels can differentiate their brand in the luxury market, catering to guests seeking exclusive and sustainable experiences.

🌍 Noam Toister, founder of Travelier, highlights the importance of digitizing ground and sea transport to address overtourism as Earth Day nears. This strategy aims to promote dispersal and more sustainable travel practices.

📊 In the hospitality industry, GCSTIMES observes a shift towards sustainable procurement. Key dimensions assessed include cost efficiency, risk management, and business growth. Improvements in energy use, waste reduction, and resource management drive cost savings. Enhanced ESG performance minimizes risks and fosters growth. This trend challenges and benefits companies, requiring compliance, improvement, and transparency to strengthen partnerships and supply chains. Explore more insights in the EcoVadis article linked above.

🍴 Apr 20, 2026, Accor emphasizes a shift in hospitality food and beverage strategies globally. Hotels are integrating wellness dining as mainstream, spurred by changing Millennial and Gen Z preferences for health over cost. Plant-based menus are becoming standard. This transformation aids supply chain resilience, reduces costs, and promotes sustainability. Operational changes include procurement and kitchen redesigns, enhancing workforce engagement. Wellness integration offers long-term competitive advantages in meeting evolving guest expectations.

📈 In October 2023, the AHLA Foundation hosted FORWARD/26 in Atlanta at Signia by Hilton. This event spotlighted women in hospitality, gathering 1,000 professionals for leadership insights and networking. Over 50 speakers led discussions across 20 sessions, including Bobbi Brown and executives from Delta Airlines and Coca-Cola. Key panels focused on influence, negotiation, and female hotel ownership. The initiative aims to advance women in leadership roles through mentorship, education, and community support in the hospitality industry.

📈 Over April 26-27, 2026, Atlanta hosted the AHLA Foundation's FORWARD/26 event at Signia by Hilton. Over 1,000 professionals attended, focusing on leadership and influence in hospitality, particularly for women. The event featured 50+ speakers, including Bobbi Brown and Tiera Kennedy, and 20 breakout sessions such as "Empower Hour" and "Women Leaders on Hotel Ownership." The initiative aims to advance women in the industry through mentorship and community building.

🏨 During the AHLA Foundation's FORWARD/26 event in Atlanta, Sarai Jacko from Fairmont Hotels received the Paving the Way Award for fostering women's success in hospitality. Justin Knight, CEO of Apple Hospitality REIT, was awarded the inaugural Ally of the Year for advancing women in leadership. Under Knight's leadership, 50% of Apple Hospitality REIT's executive team comprises women. These awards highlight intentional efforts to create opportunities and empower women in the industry.

📈 In early 2023, the Hospitality Alliance for Responsible Procurement (HARP) was established by leading hotel groups such as Accor, Hilton, and Marriott International. HARP focuses on sustainability in the hospitality industry through shared goals and EcoVadis-powered initiatives. It seeks to improve supplier sustainability, unify assessments, engage suppliers collaboratively, and enhance industry alignment. HARP's growth signifies an industry-wide commitment to sustainable practices, supported by entities like GCSTIMES, which holds EcoVadis Silver status.