CSR and Sustainability

🏨 A week and a half ago, the author visited EAST Hong Kong, a lifestyle hotel by Swire Hotels, located in Quarry Bay. Highlights include mall access, a vibrant lobby, attentive staff, and a rooftop bar “Sugar.” The hotel emphasizes sustainability, modern design, and offers a fitness center and pool under renovation. Described as 'progressive luxury,' lifestyle hotels blend contemporary design, F&B, wellness, and cultural elements, appealing to guests and locals alike.

🏨 Lynette Montoya, CEO of the Latino Hotel Association, sold The St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio and worked with John Q Hammons. Mentored by Dorraine Lallani, she navigated a male-dominated industry. In 2025, women in C-suite roles were still underrepresented. She advocates for increasing diversity and Latino ownership in hospitality. Looking to 2026, Montoya believes diversity and inclusion will remain challenging, emphasizing the importance of advocacy and education in the hotel investment sector.

📃 Deborah Herman passed away in Coral Gables, Florida, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in hospitality. As president of Fabric Innovations, she was recognized for her leadership, receiving the NEWH Icon of Industry award in 2015. She contributed over $130,000 to NEWH scholarships and was involved with the Cornell Hospitality Advisory Board. A celebration of her life is scheduled for March 24th at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove.

📈 In 2025, women held about 30% of leadership roles in the lodging industry, with near parity at the director level (50%) but only 25% in chief positions and less than 30% of board seats. At Host Hotels, women make up 57% of the workforce and 46% of managerial roles. The Women's Network and initiatives like AHLA's FORWARD support leadership growth. Looking ahead to 2026, continued diversity efforts are seen as strategic advantages for better business outcomes.

🍳 On March 8, International Women’s Day, the HIT Chef Academy launched The Shef Movement in the UK to address gender inequality in kitchens. Only 17% of UK professional chefs are women, and just 8% hold head chef positions in Michelin-starred restaurants. A Countertalk survey of 200 female chefs found over 50% work in male-dominated kitchens, 75% faced workplace harassment, and only 14% felt managerial support. The movement aims to empower, enable, and elevate female chefs.

📚 Eight unique interiors from various locations showcase innovative uses of reclaimed materials, such as Edinburgh's La Casita with reused timber and London's Salt office with second-hand steel surfaces. In Ghent, a former barracks transformed into the Jam Hotel features old roof timber flooring. Barcelona's 10K House was renovated on a €10,000 budget, maximizing sustainability. A Düsseldorf office incorporated biodegradable materials, while London's Traid store used unsellable clothes to craft new furniture. These projects highlight resourceful design worldwide.

🍴 Chef Jeroni Castell of Les Moles in Spain emphasizes the Terres de l’Ebre region's local ingredients and advocates for flexible work-life balance solutions instead of government-mandated reduced work weeks by 2026. Josiah Hernandez from Chef’s Garden in Puerto Rico seeks healthier work environments in hospitality, tied to awards. Rob Rubba of Oyster Oyster in Washington, DC, calls for kitchen compost bins to reduce waste and inspire creativity. Environmental practices remain a priority for chefs in 2026.

🍽 Guaranteeing 16 weeks of paid leave for new parents, the hospitality group introduces a groundbreaking global policy. This move aims to support expecting mothers and fathers alike, setting a new industry benchmark. The initiative is designed to enhance work-life balance and promote family well-being, reflecting a commitment to employee support worldwide. By implementing this policy, the hospitality group is leading the way in providing comprehensive parental benefits across its locations.