CSR and Sustainability

🏨 Signo Hospitality GmbH held the topping-out ceremony for the Hampton by Hilton in Potsdam-Babelsberg, set to open Q2 2025. Managed by Sascha Konter, the hotel will offer 168 rooms, a restaurant, bar, lounge, conference room, fitness area, and parking on a 7,000 m² site. Located near Babelsberg Film Park and Metropolit Hall, the hotel targets leisure and business travelers. It emphasizes sustainability with geothermal and photovoltaic energy and an anti-waste strategy in its restaurant.

🌍 On 14 April 2025, ahead of trilogue negotiations on 24 April, the travel and tourism industry set priorities for the Directive on Green Claims, focusing on consumer protection against greenwashing. They emphasize a balance to not discourage greener performance, calling for a simplified system. Key points include: exemptions for micro-enterprises, support for SMEs, proportionate penalties, and allowance for new schemes. Full details can be found in their joint position.

🚌🚌 In a survey of 1,000 UK participants, 67% prioritize cost savings in business travel over the next 12 months; 39% rank it as their top priority, shifting from the previous five years' focus on sustainability. Only 28% experienced increased focus on sustainability since 2020, compared to 25% on cost reduction. Currently, 46% consider sustainability a top priority, with 56% actively trying to reduce carbon emissions. Despite the cost focus, just 28% plan to cut business travel spending, while 21% will increase it. "Ease of use for employees" is the third key priority at 34%. Another survey of 250 business travelers found preferences for premium travel options and short wait times, indicating a possible underestimation of such employee preferences by policy makers. Uber for Business UK's Director, Jenna Brown, emphasizes the importance of ground transportation costs and the benefits of shorter wait times and easier expensing for employee satisfaction.

🏥 Hospitality ON invites ideas for reinventing hospitality by May 12; winners will present at the Hospitality Operator Forum in Paris on June 12. Targeting students and young enthusiasts, the challenge focuses on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. CEO Solenne Ojea-Devys and entrepreneur Johanna Wagner support participants to impact industry practices.

💯 COYA luxury lifestyle group launches inaugural global party, Mama Quilla, in April to celebrate women, community, and positive change. Partnering with Rights of Women charity, the event includes a female-led experience with dining, music, performance, and Kate Mayer’s moon-inspired art exhibition. Celebrations on Saturday 26 April with a free-flowing brunch and immersive evening entertainment. COYA donates £1 from each Mama Quilla cocktail to Rights of Women and a percentage of Mayer’s art sales, emphasizing their philanthropic commitment during their 50th anniversary.

🌱 HBX Group published its ESG 2024 Report, highlighting environmental, social, and governance progress and its commitment to sustainable tourism. Over the past year, it expanded the Sustainable Hotels Programme to over 40,000 certified establishments, with 6,000+ eschewing single-use plastic. The company has over 300 subscribers in its knowledge exchange hub and received the Climate Change Award at A World for Travel event, as well as the CSR Best Practice Award at the 15th Sustainability Week in Spain. HBX Group is developing a decarbonisation plan, seeking ISO 14001 certification, and plans to grow its Think Big programme internationally.

🌿 🌳 A shift in hospitality: 81% of travelers, including millennials and Gen Z, prefer eco-friendly hotels. Green initiatives like LED lighting, smart thermostats, and low-flow fixtures cut costs and increase profits. Sustainable practices including renewable energy, water conservation, and reducing single-use plastics enhance brand loyalty. Marketing strategies such as highlighting sustainability on websites and offering incentives for eco-friendly guest behavior are crucial. Hotels that commit to sustainability are positioning themselves for future success and long-term industry competitiveness.

👨‍💼 Elizabeth Harlow, with 4 years at Sonesta Hotels as chief brand officer, saw double-digit brand awareness growth post-acquisition of Red Lion Hotels Corporation in 2021. Sonesta's TravelPass, following the Hello Rewards integration, boasts over 7 million members. Amina Gilyard James bought a 70-room Quality Inn in Memphis for $3.85 million in 2023 and opened a 120-room Wyndham Lake Charles, leveraging Wyndham's diversity programs. Kimberly Rowell, with 30+ years in the industry, aims to make Five Star Hospitality a premier hotel owner-operator, emphasizing the need for more women and diverse leaders in high positions.

📢 The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) expanded its executive team with Ralph Posner as Chief Communications Officer and Khristyn Brimmeier as Chief of Staff, under President and CEO Rosanna Maietta. Posner has decades of experience and was formerly with Seven Letter. Brimmeier's 25-year career includes work with Lot Sixteen and political campaigns. Additionally, Neal Daftary joined AHLA as VP, Market Development, Green Key Global, bringing over a decade of experience from OYO Hotels and other roles.