CSR and Sustainability

🏨 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.

🏨 B&B Hotels completed refurbishments of seven UK hotels, including Birmingham and Cambridge, over 18 months. The investment program, finished with a showcase in Birmingham, updated guest rooms and communal spaces for simpler, modern designs. Sustainability was prioritized, with certifications from SOCOTEC. CEO Patrick O’Connell praised the team for providing affordable, environmentally mindful hospitality. Founded in 1990, B&B Hotels, owned by Goldman Sachs since 2019, operates over 900 hotels globally, and plans further UK expansion.

🏨 The Wensleydale Hotel in Middleham, owned by the Merchie family since 2019, has been sold to Oliver Kwok after six years. This 18th-century hotel features 17 en suite bedrooms, a restaurant, a bar, and a private dining room. Middleham, known for its horseracing stables, enhances the hotel's attraction. Kwok plans to focus on sustainability while supporting the community. The sale, conducted by Christie and Co, marks their eighth major sale in the Yorkshire Dales' National Park in four years.