CSR and Sustainability

🏛 HotelREZ, a hotel representation company, partners with Greengage to offer ECOsmart certification to its member properties, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability. This certification, available since 2020, has Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels, including transparent criteria such as carbon footprint per night. The initiative positions HotelREZ at the forefront of the hospitality industry's environmental revolution, catering to the demand for sustainable accommodation. The ECOsmart certification is integrated into HotelREZ’s REZtoMarket content platform and will be visible on GDS platforms, REZMedia, and Best Loved Hotels. HotelREZ is also undergoing its own ECOsmart audit, showcasing its dedication to sustainable practice leadership.

🏠 In Atlanta, Georgia, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), with 20,000 members owning 60% of U.S. hotels, partnered with the Energy & Environment Alliance (EEA), representing 45,000 global hospitality assets, to create sustainability standards for the hotel sector. The Special Taskforce on Sustainability Standards, influenced by frameworks adopted in 30+ countries and EU directives, will conduct a three-phase consultation from January to December 2025 to develop industry-wide benchmarks and performance metrics, aiming to align with global standards and legal mandates in sustainability.

🏡 CEOs Lauren McCann and Jen Collins, co-founders of Procure Impact, have been awarded the Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award by the AHLA, AHLA Foundation, and the BHN Group/Northstar Travel Group. Procure Impact aids employment for marginalized individuals, including trafficking survivors, veterans, and refugees. The award, established in 2022 to honor late Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson, will be presented on January 27, 2025, in Beverly Hills. In 2024, Procure Impact's Dignity of Work Pledge with AHLA members led to 100,000 hours of paid employment, with 23 hospitality companies committing over $7.4 million in purchases.

🏨 easyHotel has secured a £24.5 million loan from CaixaBank for its Spanish expansion, planning to open new properties in Madrid (Spring 2025), Valencia, Barcelona (2025), and Alicante (2026), adding 361 rooms. The hotel chain aims for sustainability with low-carbon rooms reducing CO2 emissions by 20% over 50 years. Previously, easyHotel obtained a £42.5 million loan from Santander UK and £6 million from BRED Banque for a Marseille property, indicating strong financial backing and a focus on growing its network in Spain's dynamic travel hubs.

🍴 New York, January 22, 2025 – The James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists for the 35th annual James Beard Awards, presented by Capital One. The 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists list is available on their website. Renowned for recognizing exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, the Foundation introduced three new award categories this year: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. In the past two years, 66% of semifinalists reported a significant increase in business following their nomination. Award nominees will be revealed on April 2, 2025, with the winners celebrated at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on June 16, 2025.

🌱 "Discover 10+ practical ways to make hotels eco-friendly" aligns with eco-conscious travelers’ demands. Tips include saving energy and reducing waste. Authored by Manveen Kaur, the article from Hotelogix Blog was published on January 21, 2025. It suggests steps for sustainability in the hospitality industry.