CSR and Sustainability

🏨 Emmanuel Macron, President of France, supported the 25th Hospitality Awards in 2025. Recognizing pioneers like Robert H Burns and others, the event highlighted Kempinski's Flourish program, Meliá's sustainability initiative, and Marriott's anti-trafficking efforts. VisitBritain's campaign drove £20 per £1 spent. Club Med's anniversary reach included 16M impressions. Rotana co-founders Nasser Al Nowais and Selim El Zyr were honored for their 33-year legacy. Sofitel's transformation emphasized sustainable luxury.

🏖 RCP Finance has secured a €20 million senior construction loan from Novo Banco for the Fogo Ecolodge, opening in 2027 in São Miguel, Azores. The 42-unit, 86-bed, 3,480 m² 4-star ecolodge will feature a spa and restaurant. This initiative supports the Azores' sustainable tourism goals as a UNESCO Global Geopark, with EU subsidies under Construir 2030. The project reflects investor confidence and aims to enhance eco-friendly hospitality in the region.

🧦 Accor and DV Collective launched Australia's first National Silly Sock Day on 25 November 2025 to raise awareness and funds for domestic violence victims. Over 5,000 limited-edition socks are sold at Accor hotels, supporting more than 300 services, including 75 shelters. In 2025, DV Collective provided 29,000 safe nights and aims for 500 new beds by 2026. Adrian Williams and Kylie Johanson highlight the initiative's impact amid rising domestic violence cases.

🌎 GBTA Foundation received the 2025 SPLC Leadership Award for advancing global sustainable travel procurement standards. In 2024, it released procurement standards to assess suppliers’ sustainability, impacting the $1.57 trillion industry. Acknowledged by over 50 companies and standard setters, the standards gain recognition. On November 10, 38% of companies included climate criteria in supplier selection. December 3 marks the virtual SPLC Leadership Awards ceremony. The GBTA Foundation will release analytical tools by 2026.

🌊 Royalton Hotels & Resorts, after Hurricane Melissa, is supporting Jamaica with relief initiatives. Clean water and temporary lodging are provided, with reopening dates for its resorts set for August 25 and September 15, 2026. A team of 200 ensures maintenance, while managers train across the Caribbean. This commitment underscores Royalton's dedication to Jamaica's recovery and tourism enhancement. Existing reservations are offered flexible options.

🌴 Raffe Hotels & Resorts launched the Malolo Lailai Community Trust in Fiji to empower local communities via grants focused on education, health, environmental care, emergency relief, and well-being. Guests contribute $1-$10 per stay, matched by the hotels. Initiatives include coral restoration, school improvements, and women's support. Since 2018, school improvements raised pass rates by nearly 10%. The Trust aims to strengthen community partnerships and foster sustainable development across the region.

🌍 Since 2011, GCSTIMES has been at the forefront of sustainable development, evolving from smart card R&D to sustainable material innovation. With operational centers in China, the US, UAE, France, and Australia, and 14 global subsidiaries, GCSTIMES supports over 100,000 international hospitality groups in 140+ countries. Their portfolio aids hotels in aligning with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council's Section D, focusing on eco-friendly purchasing, reducing GHG emissions, and compliance with chemical safety standards.

🏨 Mercure Newport celebrated its third anniversary by winning its third consecutive TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award. Since opening in 2022, the hotel, located in Chartist Tower, Newport, hosted 70,000 guest stays. It supports community events and has partnered with Dragons Rugby Football Club. The hotel contributes over £24 million to the local economy and features 135 rooms, three meeting spaces, and a restaurant. A local artist's work raised £500 for charity.

📅 RIU Hotels & Resorts plans to reopen all seven hotels in Jamaica by December 15, 2025, following Hurricane Melissa's impact. Riu Montego Bay reopened on November 23, and Riu Palace Jamaica on November 24. $1,000,000 USD was mobilized, 80% for staff, including $570,000 for home reconstruction and $230,000 for aid. $200,000 was donated for 1,750 community support packages. Over 7,000 meals are distributed daily with World Central Kitchen, providing employment and aid.

🍴 URBA and artists Esteban de la Torre and Judit Eszter Kárpáti designed Onyx Æther, a Budapest restaurant, to emphasize sustainability. The restaurant features furniture made from melted aluminum and compressed wool. Shortlisted for the 2025 Dezeen Awards, it offers an 11-course menu reflecting historical and futuristic themes. The interior uses local, repurposed materials and integrates motion and lighting for a multi-sensory experience, honoring local culture and minimizing environmental impact.