CSR and Sustainability

🌊 In the Westfjords of Iceland, on the Reykjanes Peninsula, Saltverk produces flaky sea salt using geothermal energy. This method requires 90% of the seawater to be evaporated. The company prides itself on using pure, uncontaminated Arctic seawater, avoiding additives and anti-caking agents. The process is labor-intensive, with salt hand-harvested, contributing to its premium status. Saltverk claims to be Iceland's sole producer of this premium grade salt, certified climate neutral.

🏨 Hospitality industry faces sustainability challenges. Over 40 years, sustainability frameworks like Green Key, LEED, and EarthCheck expanded, yet practical integration lags (UNWTO, 2021; WTTC, 2022). Deloitte (2023) and McKinsey (2021) report low employee engagement due to unaligned tasks and lack of impact visibility. Sustainability actions, often treated as transactional, fail to become cultural, as noted by Harvard Business Review (2018). Leaders must embed sustainability into daily activities to achieve meaningful change.

📚 Since 2011, GCSTIMES, with centers in China, US, UAE, France, and Australia, supports over 100,000 hospitality groups in 140 countries. They focus on sustainable product lifecycle management through energy-efficient operations, recyclability, and circular solutions. Offering brands like GCS and AUROkeys, they promote cultural preservation through smart cards and sustainable supplies. Their approach aids the hospitality industry's shift toward a circular economy, emphasizing long-term growth through sustainable practices.

🚀 Jet2.com has achieved a milestone at Newcastle Airport by transitioning all its owned ground service equipment (GSE) to 100% electric power. This aligns with its goal to reduce emissions and enhance air quality, aiming for a 99% reduction in GSE emissions by 2035. Paul Southall, Head of Sustainability, emphasizes their commitment to sustainability through electrification efforts. The initiative also includes electric crew buses and a salary-exchange scheme for electric cars across the UK.

💸 Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International, received the 2026 Shatterproof Hospitality Hero Award at the Ninth Annual Shatterproof Hospitality Heroes Reception in Los Angeles, CA. The event, aligned with ALIS, raised $2.1 million with 75 participating hospitality companies. Founded by Gary Mendell in 2012, Shatterproof has raised over $12 million since 2016. Data reveals 17% of hospitality employees had substance use disorders, prompting industry-wide efforts to reduce stigma and support well-being.

💵 On January 27, 2026, in Los Angeles, Anthony Capuano of Marriott International received the Shatterproof Hospitality Hero Award. The event raised $2.1 million for Shatterproof, a nonprofit focused on substance use disorder awareness. Under Capuano’s leadership, 75 hospitality companies joined forces to support the cause. Notably, 17% of workers in accommodations and food services have a substance use disorder, impacting industry costs significantly. Since 2016, over $12 million has been raised with involvement from 150 companies.

🏨 Roomours Hotel in Llandudno was sold to Andy and Clare Jones, marking their debut in hospitality. The hotel offers 10 en suite rooms, a dining room, a lounge, and a private car park. The sale was managed by Chad Jackson, with marketing by Christie and Co. Llandudno’s tourism demand surged by 86% year-on-year. Andy, a craftsman, and Clare, from education, aim to enhance the hotel's sustainability and governance.

📈 CapitaLand Ascott Trust (CLAS) manages assets worth €6 billion with 103 properties in 45 cities across 16 countries. Revenue increased by 3% to €560 million, and gross profit rose 4% to €257 million. REVPAU is S$161 (€107), up 3%. In 2025, €200 million in assets were disposed, with two-thirds reinvested in Japan. 70% of properties are green-certified, aiming for 100% by 2030. Future plans include renovations and sustainable growth.

🏨 Guests at Shinta Mani Angkor in Cambodia can enjoy curated experiences such as floating breakfasts and sunrise temple tours, along with immersive activities like Khmer cooking classes. The hotel supports the local community through the Shinta Mani Foundation, funding education, healthcare, and enterprise. Lehmann emphasizes the authentic and intimate experiences Cambodia offers compared to more established Southeast Asian destinations like Thailand, providing guests with meaningful and impactful stays.