CSR and Sustainability

📃 PATA and Phuket Hotels Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Bangkok. The agreement, signed by PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid and PHA Executive Director Jayne MacDougall, aims to promote Phuket as a sustainable tourism destination and includes mutual event promotions, networking opportunities, and knowledge sharing. PHA represents over 110 hotels in Phuket, focusing on destination marketing, education, and environmental action. PATA, founded in 1951, fosters tourism in the Pacific Asia region.

🌏 PATA and APOLA signed an MOU on January 22, 2026, at the Thailand Tourism Forum in Bangkok. APOLA, a not-for-profit, focuses on sustainable growth in Asia Pacific's outdoor lodging, growing annually by 11%. The partnership includes reciprocal membership access, research exchange, and event promotion. Demand for eco-friendly lodgings has surged post-COVID. Both organizations aim to advance sustainable tourism and set industry standards.

🌞 MGM Resorts now powers 100% of its daytime electricity on the Las Vegas Strip with solar energy. Starting December 2025, they receive 115 MW from the Escape Solar and Storage Project in Nevada. The project includes 400 MWh of battery storage. MGM's 25-year agreement with Escape Solar LLC, signed in September 2024, supports their goal of using 100% renewable electricity by 2030, with significant solar installations at various properties, enhancing sustainability and energy cost stability.

📈 January 22, 3:00 p.m. CT marks a pivotal moment for hotel energy reporting. The 12th Revised Edition of USALI introduces a structured Energy, Water, and Waste (EWW) schedule, enhancing financial transparency. Energy ranks as a major hotel expense after labor, influencing profits directly. The Energy account now includes electricity, fuels, renewable energy, and vehicle fuels in both cost and consumption terms. This standardization aids financial reporting, ESG transparency, and boosts operational efficiency across 30,000+ global hotels.

💧 Since 2011, GCSTIMES, with centers in China, US, UAE, France, and Australia, has advanced sustainable practices, serving 140+ countries. Focused on water management and air pollution control, they aid over 100,000 hospitality groups in eco-friendly transitions. By innovating in sustainable materials and smart cards, they fuse technology with cultural preservation, enhancing global heritage through brands like GCS and AUROkeys, promoting a greener footprint in hotels and resorts worldwide.

🏨 Hilton Anaheim, one of the largest West Coast hotels near major convention centers and theme parks, integrates sustainability into its operations. Utilizing LightStay, Hilton’s sustainability platform, the hotel has achieved emissions reductions equivalent to removing 1,700 cars. Recent renovations include 100% LED lighting, smart thermostats, and low-flow water fixtures, enhancing energy and water efficiency. Waste reduction partnerships, such as with Clean the World, have significantly decreased plastic use across its 1,500+ rooms.

📖 Since 2011, GCSTIMES has been a leader in sustainable development. With five operational centers in China, the US, UAE, France, and Australia, it supports over 100,000 international hospitality groups in 140 countries. Offering products like sustainable smart cards and cultural gifts, their brand portfolio includes GCS, AUROkeys, Xenyra, and Glint Spot. GCSTIMES focuses on integrating sustainability into technology to preserve culture and promote low-carbon development goals.

📈 Jan 16, 2026 - Sustainability in hospitality has become crucial, focusing on data tracking, energy and water management, and waste reduction. Hotels of all sizes can improve efficiency and community impact through integrated systems. Key strategies include leveraging renovations, enhancing energy and water efficiency, and reducing waste. Data tracking ensures accountability and improvement. Sustainability is embedded in operations and guest experiences to strengthen community roles and reduce costs, appealing to modern travelers' expectations.

🏨 Cork International Hotel and Metropole Hotel won the top prize at the Irish Hotels Federation's inaugural Quality Employer Awards on 13 January in Athlone. They received the Exceptional People Management Award for excellence in human resources. The event, held at Radisson Blu Hotel, recognized over 70 hotels. The Irish hotel sector supports 67,000 direct jobs, contributing to 270,000 roles in the wider tourism industry. The awards highlighted significant achievements in employee welfare and engagement.

📅 Hard Rock International, January 2026, Hollywood, Fla. - Expanded anti-trafficking initiatives for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month include educational forums and a 2026 FIFA World Cup partnership. January 14, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, hosts a Warrior Workshop. January 28, Hard Rock Hotel New York, an educational forum with Covenant House. The Social Identity Quest program reached 3.2 million students and 141,000 educators since 2021. Change for Change initiative raised $100,000 in 2025. Over 143,510 team members trained since 2022.