CSR and Sustainability

🌳 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.

☀️ 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.

🍳 Robert Pearce, executive chef at Down Hall Hotel, won Innovative Chef of the Year at the 2025 MIA Awards on 6 November. His initiatives in innovation and sustainability included the Woodland Table and interactive workshops, leading to a 3% food cost reduction and eliminating 25 tonnes of waste. His efforts maintained a 94% staff retention rate. Down Hall also boasts awards like AA Hotel of the Year 2024/25 and four AA Red Stars.

🍽 Executive Chef Robert Pearce of Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate in Essex was named Innovative Chef of the Year at the 2025 MIA Awards on November 6. His innovations over the past year include concepts like Woodland Table and Street Food menus, reducing food costs by 3% and eliminating 25 tonnes of waste. The hotel boasts a 94% staff retention rate and accolades such as four AA Red Stars and AA Hotel of the Year 2024/25.

🎁 The InnSeason Toy Drive, organized by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and Mews, runs from November 15 to December 15, 2025, in Cape Cod. The event launches during the InnSanity event at the Cape Cod Maritime Museum on November 19, at 5 p.m. Participants can donate toys or gift cards, host a toy box, or join the Stay & Play It Forward promotion. The initiative aims to support local families by partnering with nonprofits, promoting community involvement.

🍫 Amsterdam, a few weeks ago: Damian and Kerrie Finch hosted the first Amsterdam event for *Not a Playbook* at NIO House. Discussing branding, they highlighted experiential strategies, like Apple's "Today at Apple," launched in 2017 by Angela Ahrendts, blending education with retail. Tony's Chocolonely's recent event at De Hallen spotlighted ethical cocoa sourcing and brand storytelling. An 8-day event featured interactive exhibits on cocoa trade advocacy, underlining Tony’s commitment to slave-free chocolate while engaging with families.

📅 All Saints' Day holidays reveal a two-speed hotel industry. Who? Insights from Emmanuelle Pochat, co-founder of Ginto Hotels. When? During the All Saints' Day holidays. Where? France, specifically the Atlantic coast and Brittany. What? The Atlantic coast shows growth, while the southeast declines. How? Last-minute bookings, weather impact, and return of international customers influence results. Atlantic coast regions consolidate their lead as the southeast faces a sharp decline, highlighting a shift in regional balance.