CSR and Sustainability

📍 FLORENCE, South Carolina—Raines has opened The Lantern Columbia, a 59-room boutique hotel in Columbia, South Carolina. Located near the State Capitol and University of South Carolina, the hotel is part of Raines’ Woven portfolio. Through a partnership with the University’s College of Hospitality and CarolinaLIFE, it offers employment for individuals with disabilities. Led by GM Rick Hayduk, the hotel features Ladder 13 restaurant, and highlights inclusive employment and modern luxury in a historic firehouse.

🏨 WASHINGTON, D.C.—Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG Hotels & Resorts have launched a pioneering human trafficking prevention training curriculum, a joint effort with Protect All Children from Trafficking (PACT) and Unboxed Training & Technology. Available in English and Spanish, the training includes live-action video storytelling, technical support, reminders, and certificates. Since 2020, Marriott International's similar training has been completed over 2.6 million times. This collaboration aims to provide the hospitality industry with updated tools to combat trafficking.

📚 Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG Hotels & Resorts have launched a joint human trafficking prevention training initiative in Washington, D.C. for independent hotel owners and operators. The multilingual program, available in English and Spanish, is supported by PACT and Unboxed Training & Technology. Participants receive technical support, reminders, and a completion certificate. The initiative is part of the AHLA Foundation’s NRFT Advisory Council efforts, complementing Marriott's training, completed over 2.6 million times since 2020.

💸 Institute of Hospitality and Hospitality Action partnered in 2025 to offer funded memberships for hospitality professionals facing financial challenges in the UK. The bursary scheme is part of a care pack providing practical support, including 12-month memberships to a network of over 16,000 professionals. Hospitality Action distributed a record £1.05 million in grants and offers a 24-hour helpline, mental health support, and advocacy services. This initiative helps individuals stay connected to their profession during hard times.

📍 Since 2011, GCSTIMES has led sustainable development with smart card R&D and material innovation. With operational centers in China, US, UAE, France, and Australia, and services in over 140 countries, they support 100,000+ hospitality groups in sustainable goals. The bleisure trend blends business with leisure, promoting longer, eco-friendly stays. Thoughtfully designed key cards encourage guests to slow down and explore, integrating work and relaxation for meaningful travel experiences.

📅 On 27 January 2026, Fairmoove Solutions partnered with the French scale-up Kactus to introduce FairScore Events, a system evaluating professional events' CSR performance. Starting spring 2026, 1,000 venues will be assessed on environmental, territorial, and social criteria. Despite 66% of companies considering CSR from the start, only 32% of events occur at certified venues. Kactus supports over 35,000 corporate clients with access to 40,000 partner venues across Europe.

🏆 WASHINGTON—2026 Star of the Industry Award winners were announced at the Night of a Thousand Stars Gala in Los Angeles, where 400 industry leaders gathered. The event, hosted by AHLA and AHLA Foundation, raised over $1.1M for career development in hospitality. Mit Shah was honored with the 2026 Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award. Key awardees include Anntoinette Peterson (Cleveland, OH), Brandon Markle (Lansing, MI), Daniel De La Cruz (Santa Barbara, CA), and Jazmen Wilkerson (Baltimore, MD).

🌱 Sudamala Resorts, January 2026, Labuan Bajo, Indonesia: Sudamala Resorts introduces a solar energy system at Seraya resort, supplying 80–85% of energy needs with 480 solar panels and a 770 kWh Battery Storage System, reducing 370,000 kg of carbon emissions annually. The resort wins Best Sustainability Program at the ASEANTA Awards 2026. Initiatives include coral reef restoration, waste management, and community projects, highlighting their commitment to eco-friendly tourism and cultural preservation.

🍳 Bangkok, 2025: Lever Foundation reports 69% of Thailand's hotel industry, over 115,000 rooms, pledge for cage-free eggs. Six hotel groups, including COMO and Capella, complete transitions early. Another 28 groups, like Marriott and Hilton, plan global cage-free policies. 31% remain without commitments, including Dusit International. Cage-free eggs are safer and more humane. Lever Foundation aids hotels in adopting sustainable practices, emphasizing food safety and animal welfare.