Ingrained within hotel companies’ corporate social responsibility programs is the support of local, small businesses. One of the groups hit hardest by the pandemic is small-business suppliers—businesses often located close to the hotels they supply. At this difficult time, please go the extra mile to support these types of businesses. They typically are more vulnerable to failure when the economy takes a dive.
One story that caught my eye in the past few weeks is Hyatt’s rollout of its Hyatt Loves Local initiative, a global effort by Hyatt hotels to uplift and collaborate with small businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic. Nearly 60 Hyatt hotels and resorts in destinations across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East are providing complimentary resources and exposure to select local businesses that have struggled during the pandemic. In turn, these businesses can continue operating in different ways and offer Hyatt guests distinct and enriching experiences that foster a meaningful connection to the destination’s local community.
Hyatt Loves Local Examples
Hyatt Regency Atlanta is celebrating the city’s rich food culture by providing complimentary kitchen space to Anna Bell’s Kitchen Mac & Cheese shop, as well as selling Anna Bell’s goods in the hotel’s Lobby Market. The space at Hyatt Regency Atlanta allows Anna Bell’s, a minority-owned business, to continue selling its coveted homemade mac & cheese dishes to hungry locals and guests, while also expanding to ship its product nationally. The business previously prepared its recipes in commercial kitchens and sold products at farmers markets before the pandemic suspended many of these shop operations.
“We’re proud to participate in Hyatt Loves Local and offer kitchen space to Anna Bell’s Kitchen Mac & Cheese, not only as a way to care for our community but also as an extension of our commitment to food and beverage excellence,” said Derrick Morrow, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Atlanta. “Beloved local purveyors like Anna Bell’s Kitchen Mac & Cheese help define Atlanta’s food and culture scene and supporting them through the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic is especially important. Making our collaboration even more special, our Hyatt Regency Atlanta guests love enjoying a classic Southern dish from a celebrated local business from inside our hotel.”
“The opportunity to collaborate with Hyatt Regency Atlanta through Hyatt Loves Local has enabled us to preserve and pivot our business while attracting new fans and customers during this challenging time,” said Kevin Mobley, owner of Anna Bell’s Kitchen Mac & Cheese.
High in Colorado ski country, Grand Hyatt Vail is hosting a pop-up shop from local women’s clothing boutique Wild Heart. Owned by a former hotel employee, the shop was forced to close during the pandemic and has reopened with limited capacity. The Grand Hyatt Vail pop-up will help bolster Wild Heart sales and introduce the boutique to hotel guests seeking stylish apparel and accessories for their mountain getaway.
This fall in Los Angeles, Andaz West Hollywood teamed up with hair and beard experts at Barcode Barbershop to offer professional cuts and shaping and styling for men and women on the hotel’s rooftop overlooking the sparkling Sunset Strip. After temporarily closing during the pandemic, Barcode Barbershop has reopened at 25 percent capacity, so additional space at Andaz West Hollywood throughout September and October provided its stylists with the opportunity to offer more cuts than would otherwise be possible.
Long History of Helping Local Communities
“We have been caring for the communities in which Hyatt hotels operate for more than 60 years, and we are proud so many Hyatt hotels around the world are finding new, creative ways to lift up beloved local businesses in this time of need through Hyatt Loves Local,” said Amy Weinberg, Senior Vice President, Brand Loyalty, Brand Marketing and Consumer Insights, Hyatt.
For more information about Hyatt Loves Local and participating property collaborations, please see a fact sheet here.
Would you like to share an example of how your property or company has been able to help local businesses during this difficult time? Write to greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
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