CSR and Sustainability

🏨 At the 9th Diversity and Inclusion Awards in Spain, Meliá Hotels International won for Best Practice in Employment Inclusion. Meliá's collaboration with the Canary Islands Government and Fuerteventura Island Council supports employment for over 100 formerly unaccompanied migrant youth. Participants receive hospitality and language training, with 20% advancing within the company. This initiative addresses labor demand and promotes personal growth, showcasing inclusion as both a social responsibility and a smart business strategy.

🌎 October 21, 2026, Hanoi, Vietnam: Sofitel Legend and UNESCO announce a global partnership for cultural preservation at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. The initiative will launch cultural experiences such as the "Hanoi Coffee Journey" and visits to Bát Tràng Pottery Village and the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long. The partnership will expand globally, with Sofitel Legend properties highlighting each destination's cultural identity. Accor, founded in 1967 and headquartered in France, owns over 5,600 hotels worldwide.

🌎 Radisson has launched its first net zero hotel in Africa: the 138-room Radisson Safari Hoedspruit, near Kruger National Park, South Africa. This marks Radisson's 10th Verified Net Zero Hotel, following four recent additions. The program is verified by TÜV Rheinland and focuses on renewable energy and carbon removal credits. The owner finances the hotel, expecting swift returns via higher rates. Radisson aims for 100 net zero hotels by 2030.

📈 Astypalea, one of seven Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, declared a drought emergency due to water scarcity, a longstanding issue exacerbated by climate change. Maria Mavroudi's family traditionally collected rainwater in cisterns, a practice shaped by the island's dry climate. Tourism, which constitutes 3.5% of the local economy, is experiencing tension as the need for water grows, impacting both local communities and tourist facilities.

🌍 Mandarin Oriental launches MO.RE, a sustainability platform targeting luxury hospitality transformation. Over 15 years, a 33% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions was achieved. The plan aims for net zero by 2050, with pillars of Resilience, Reconnection, and Regeneration. Initiatives include climate-risk profiling, biodiversity programs, and vocational education. The Group, with 41 hotels and 12 residences in 26 countries, emphasizes sustainability through systemic change, fostering connections, and enhancing destination resilience.

🏨 In 2024, social entrepreneurship in hospitality is challenging traditional models by integrating economic and social value, illustrated by Albergo Etico and Label Gamelle. Albergo Etico operates 10 hotels across Italy, Australia, Albania, and Argentina, and focuses on inclusion for people with impairments. Label Gamelle, in Paris, combines high-quality catering with employment for marginalized groups. These ventures prioritize stakeholder relationships and innovative business models, highlighting that social and economic objectives can be mutually reinforcing.

🌆 Balinese brand Potato Head opens the Good Times General Store in Bali, in partnership with the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA). This retail space challenges traditional consumption, offering products by independent makers and workshops using recycled materials. The store features five bays, including a natural-dye studio and recycled plastic workshop. By 2027, Potato Head plans to open a design center and a bamboo dome for performing arts. The initiative underscores a commitment to sustainability, design, and culture.

🍳 The UN highlights food waste as up to 10% of global greenhouse emissions. In England, new waste separation rules target this, as food waste costs the hospitality sector £3.2 billion annually. FuturePlus found 77% of food waste goals unmet on time, though 70% of sustainability goals overall were achieved. Effective strategies include waste prevention, clear processes, and connecting with external infrastructure. Addressing food waste depends on informed actions, proper facilities, and local support systems.

📈 Several hospitality companies, including Whitbread, Marriott, Parkdean Resorts, Haven, Fuller’s, and De Vere, are partnering with the government to offer 100,000 paid jobs over three years. They aim to support 18 to 24-year-olds not in education, work, or training. This initiative will provide young people with opportunities for skill development, confidence building, and practical experience.