CSR and Sustainability

📃 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.

🍳 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.

🍽 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.

🏖️ In the 1980s, Ho Kwon Ping and Claire Chiang acquired 222 hectares of a toxic tin mine in Phuket, Thailand, rehabilitating it into Banyan Tree’s first resort. Over 30 years, they expanded to 100 properties in 22 countries. They’ve released 5,861 turtle hatchlings, planted 72,299 trees, and won 700+ spa awards. Their Marine Lab in the Maldives and Electric Reefs tech advance coral growth. Banyan Tree is a leader in regenerative hospitality with unique architectural designs.

🚨 Today, in Phoenix, AZ, the Arizona House of Representatives issued a proclamation recognizing the hotel industry's prevention efforts against human trafficking. The American Hotel & Lodging Association's "No Room for Trafficking" initiative, launched in 2020, has provided free training in over 34 languages, completed over 2.6 million times. Arizona State Representative Justin Wilmeth introduced the proclamation, emphasizing the industry's commitment to safety and dignity through strategic partnerships and employee education programs.