CSR and Sustainability

🏥 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.

🚿 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.