CSR and Sustainability

🏨 Guido Fiorentino, president and CEO of Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, received the Leading Legend Award 2025 from The Leading Hotels of the World at a gala in Bangkok. The hotel, established in 1834 and managed by the Fiorentino family for six generations, features 80 rooms and Michelin-starred dining. It supports culture and sustainability with multiple certifications. This award highlights its blend of tradition and innovation in luxury hospitality.

💰 In 2023, 79% of Americans expect companies to support charities. Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign, raising $121 million last year, influences 85% of consumers to prefer supportive brands. CORE has granted over $5 million to families since 2004. Meals on Wheels delivers 251 million meals annually, targeting senior citizens. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation raised $300 million for pediatric cancer research. Southern Smoke Foundation has raised $15 million since 2017. World Central Kitchen, led by chef José Andrés, provides global disaster relief meals.

🌎 In Bandar Sunway, Malaysia, Sunway Hotels & Resorts partners with Saxon Renewables to launch a Voluntary Guest Carbon Offset Programme, aiming to offset up to 500 tonnes of carbon emissions by Q1 2026. Guests can contribute to certified carbon projects during booking or check-in. This aligns with 2024 data, showing 75% of travelers aim for sustainable travel. The initiative supports Visit Malaysia 2026, enhancing responsible travel experiences across Sunway's 11 hotels in Malaysia, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

🎄 The Upper House Hong Kong created a 100% upcycled Christmas tree in 2022 using recycled plastic and glass, later convertible into furniture for charity. Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui introduced a tree from farm-sourced tropical plants, maintaining a waste-free cycle. Since 2011, GCSTIMES has led sustainable development, now active in 140 countries, with centers in China, the US, UAE, France, and Australia. Their services support over 100,000 hospitality groups globally.

🌎 19 years of exploration reveal the "Sustainability Removal Test": can sustainability practices be removed without business failure? Performative if yes, existential if no. Case study: CDV's refusal of commissions. Accepting them means losing partner trust, suspect recommendations, collapsing premium pricing, and business failure within a year. Sustainability must be structurally integral, not just an addition. How would your business model score on this test? #SustainableTourism #BusinessModel #CommunityBasedTourism

📚 Since 2011, GCSTIMES has pioneered sustainable development with a focus on smart card R&D evolving into sustainable materials. Operating in China, US, UAE, France, and Australia, they support over 100,000 international hospitality groups in 140+ countries, promoting low-carbon initiatives. Products like wooden key cards and bamboo toothbrushes reduce carbon footprints. The brand portfolio includes GCS, AUROkeys, Xenyra, and Glint Spot. Sustainability integrates into daily operations like a hotel's back-of-house team.

🏨 The Grand, York, joined the Accessible Hospitality Alliance in 2025, enhancing accessibility. Operating since 2010 in a Grade II listed building, it is York’s sole five-star property. Under GM Adam Dyke, it offers neurodiversity, deaf awareness training, and mental health support. Employing 265 staff from 27 nationalities, it boasts a 13.28% turnover rate, with 73% staying over a year. As York's exclusive Disability Confident Leader since 2022, it plans an accessible spa in 2026.

🍷 Hand Picked Hotels received AA Notable Wine List Awards for Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa in Cheshire and Rhinefield House Hotel in New Forest in 2025. They operate 21 properties across the UK and Channel Islands. Rookery Hall’s restaurant holds three AA Rosettes. Over the past year, 180 new wines were added, emphasizing sustainable producers. An internal wine school was launched for staff training. The collection includes selections from Villa Saletta, owned by Julia and Guy Hands.

🌏 PATA, in partnership with CWP, will launch the "Pacific Asia: Tourism with Purpose" series during PATA's 75th anniversary in 2026. Previewed at the PATA Annual Summit in Korea from May 11-13, the full launch will occur at the PATA Travel Mart in Malaysia, August 18-20. The series highlights sustainable tourism initiatives across Asia-Pacific. PATA, founded in 1951, has its headquarters in Bangkok, with chapters worldwide supporting tourism growth.