CSR and Sustainability

👨 Stacy Silver entered the hospitality business unexpectedly, with a full-time role launching a hotel industry publication. Mentored by Jerry Merkin, Jerry Daly, and Pat Ford, she learned industry fundamentals, the importance of relationships, and hotel financing. Silver acknowledges the progress in diversity and inclusion, with increasing women's participation from a mere handful to significant presence in leadership, yet anticipates further advancements. She envisions diversity as a future norm in hospitality.

👥 Sarah Dinger, influenced by her community of 20,000 where Super 8 originated, cites hard work and "Midwest nice" as her inspiration in hospitality. She joined My Place in 2012, mentored by founders Ron Rivett and Ryan. Advocacy and supportive leadership were crucial lessons from Rachel Humphrey. Dinger sees progressive diversity and inclusion within hospitality and is optimistic about women's increasing leadership roles, acknowledging organizations like Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance and AHLA ForWard Network for their efforts in advancing women.

📢 Pilar Arizmendi-Stewart began her career at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts as a finance intern, transitioning to a sales coordinator role which sparked her hospitality passion. With mentors from Hyatt, she learned adaptability and the value of nurturing talent. Arizmendi-Stewart emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion for innovation and stronger teams in hospitality. Despite progress, she notes a gender gap at the executive level, advocating for more female leadership through mentorship and organizational commitment.

🏠 Heidi Grant began her career in the high-stakes Bingo industry during the Oklahoman gaming and hospitality boom, transitioning from small Bingo halls to world-class resorts and casinos. Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, owned by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, emphasizes community and cultural connections, including a Choctaw language program introduced last year. Almost half (46%) of the leadership at Choctaw Casinos & Resorts is female, with women holding positions like general managers and corporate leaders.

🚿 Kathy Sue McGuire, President and CEO of Sustainable Hospitality Solutions, on March 26, 2025, shared how one hotel saved $45,000 on trash bags by adopting sustainable practices. Implementing sustainability strategies, such as switching to toiletries dispensers and reducing plastic disposables, not only cut costs but also increased revenue and employee engagement. Sustainability was presented as a smart business practice for hotels, with the potential to grow revenue and create positive team dynamics.

🎯 The Institute of Hospitality renewed the endorsement of Tourism for All's (TFA) online disability and accessibility training courses, vital for inclusive tourism. TFA's Travel Planner platform has seen a 40% user engagement increase year-on-year. The Purple Pound's economic impact is valued at £14.6 billion annually. The UK aims to be Europe's most accessible tourism destination by 2030, with a goal of 50 million international visitors per year.

🌲 Booking.com survey shows 56% of travelers look for eco-friendly accommodations; nearly 67% prefer comfort with sustainable amenities. The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance indicates hotels can reduce their carbon footprint by adopting sustainability principles. Operations can cut costs with efficient systems, renewable energy, and water conservation. Strategies include energy audits, low-flow installations, robust recycling, and smart room technologies. Hotels can also support local communities through partnerships and eco-tourism, while innovative practices involve green building design, renewable energy, and guest-involved energy projects. Hotels embracing sustainability cater to eco-conscious travelers, building resilient, future-proof businesses.

🏖 On Mar 25, 2025, travel industry stakeholders, including companies like Booking.com and Wyndham, are acknowledged for their role in alleviating overtourism by shaping traveler behavior. Key approaches include offering sustainable options, promoting less-known destinations, enforcing visitor limits, and educating about off-peak travel. Collaboration among travelers, businesses, governments, and destinations is emphasized as essential in addressing overtourism. Government policies alone, such as Venice's entry restrictions, may not suffice without significant costs to deter visitors.

🧴 Louise Lisztman launched Dead Sea Dream, a natural skincare brand based on Dead Sea minerals, over two years ago after personal struggles with acne and eczema. The brand's idea stemmed from a transformative trip to the Dead Sea when Lisztman was about 19 years old, during her time at Glion. The Dead Sea, the saltiest and lowest body of water on Earth, is known for its high concentration of essential minerals like magnesium and calcium. Lisztman collaborates with the Dead Sea Revival Project to support environmental conservation, contributing a percentage of revenue to the NGO. The enterprise faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and pivoted from digital marketing to pop-up events and live TV appearances to boost sales. Dead Sea Dream launched with six products and has already garnered multiple industry awards, including the Vegan Beauty Awards and the Pure Gift Awards. Lisztman hinted at launching a new skincare product in three months, following regulatory processes. Her best-selling items include the Nourishing Hand and Foot Cream and the Purifying Mineral Mud Mask. Dead Sea Dream aims to be environmentally conscious, sourcing packaging locally, and considering a sustainable amenities range for hotels, reflecting a commitment to eco-friendly practices.