PARIS—Following the conclusion of the Group’s 2024 Annual General Meeting, Accor—a world-leading hospitality group—unveiled its purpose statement: “Pioneering the Art of Responsible Hospitality, Connecting Cultures, with Heartfelt Care”. Recognizing the importance of Purpose, Accor built this framework following an extensive company-wide consultation process leveraging Purpose taskforce and Ethics Committee workshops as well as ExCo members, Heartists and external stakeholder interviews, gathering more than 50,000 quotes from nearly 10,000 people. Accor has long committed itself to sustainability and taking a community-centric approach, with care for people and planet running throughout its strategy. Purpose has long been at the core of everything the...

NATIONAL REPORT—In a groundbreaking initiative to combat human trafficking, the British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA), Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association (SHHA), Manitoba Hotel Association (MHA), and Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to develop and deliver human trafficking awareness and prevention training and resources to hotels—with the goal of training every hotel employee from British Columbia to Ontario. Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada, with thousands of victims being exploited annually. The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking estimates that over 1,400...

NEW YORK—Internationally recognized culinary innovator, author, educator, and humanitarian José Andrés has been announced as the opening keynote-session speaker for the second iteration of The Hospitality Show, produced by Questex and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Additional speakers and programming updates will be announced in the coming months. In this lively discussion on Monday, October 28 titled, “Changing the World Through the Power of Food,” Andrés will share his passion for affecting positive change, along with his belief in the principle that “food is a basic human right.” Andrés is a committed advocate of food and hunger issues and has championed the role of chefs in the...

NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS—The Bahamas has been awarded the prestigious Caribbean Destination Resilience Award by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) in collaboration with the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST). This award is a testament to The Bahamas’ unwavering commitment to sustainability and resilience in tourism, aligning with the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Caribbean Destination Resilience Award acknowledges destinations that exhibit a deliberate focus on resiliency, particularly through innovative strategies and collaborative efforts that engage both public and private sector stakeholders. The Bahamas’ exemplary initiatives in addressing climate change and fostering...

MIDLAND, N.C.—Hoteliers in search of alternatives to plastic bottled water have a new option to consider: an on-site micro-bottling system. Available from Boomerang Water and about the size of an ice machine, the system can fill up to 400 reusable bottles an hour. The Boomerang Bottling System is already in use at properties including the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (Hawaii) and The Boca Raton (Florida). At the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, 910,000 plastic bottles were diverted from landfills and waterways in one year. At The Boca Raton, 419,750 plastic bottles were diverted in a year. The Statler Hotel at...

HARTFORD, CONN.—In a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong led 16 states in sounding the alarm over pervasive plastic microfiber pollution, urging EPA and NOAA to use the full extent of their authority to protect public health and the safety of our oceans. Synthetic clothing sheds tiny plastic strands—called “microfibers”—when it is washed. It is estimated that approximately 640,000 to 1,500,000 plastic microfiber pieces are shed per wash cycle. It is estimated that the United States and Canada pollute an estimated 878 tons of microfibers into the...

CHEVY CHASE, MD.—PM Hotel Group, a leading hotel management company working with luxury lifestyle properties as well as branded, independent select-service hotels across the country, announced its partnership with Procure Impact. As part of their commitment to the Dignity of Work Pledge, PM Hotel Group has pledged a goal of creating 2,000 hours of work for overlooked populations through purchases of products on the Procure Impact platform. This new partnership is the latest example of PM Hotel Group seeking to create positive change in the communities in which it operates. “PM Hotel Group believes in people-first hospitality. We are proud to stand...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Marriott Vacations Worldwide, a leading global vacation company, is granting its 100th wish as part of its two-year partnership with Make-A-Wish. This sponsorship grants vacation experiences to wish kids and their families at our Vacation Club resorts. Marriott Vacations Worldwide recently welcomed nine-year-old Layla Catts and her family to the Sheraton Vistana Resort in Orlando. Staff at the resort treated her to a VIP pool party and brought in a petting zoo, including a private pony ride for Layla. Marriott Vacations Worldwide launched its partnership with Make-A-Wish in February 2022 and is proud to support its mission of bringing children’s wishes...

GULF BREEZE, FLA.—With National Oceans Month this month, Innisfree Hotels is welcoming guests to engage in sustainable activities at its more than two dozen properties in coastal Florida and across the Southeastern U.S. “At Innisfree, we partner with locally led organizations to ensure we have a positive impact in the communities where we live and work,” said Bethanne Edwards, Director of Sustainability at Innisfree Hotels. “Our local sustainability partnerships center around environmental conservation, education, advocacy and community-building efforts.” With so many beach- and waterfront properties in its portfolio, Innisfree Hotels’ environmental initiatives naturally include ones that specifically benefit oceans and waterways....

VISTA, CALIF.—A little-reported fact is that heat wave frequencies in the United States are increasing. In the 1960s, we averaged about two major heat waves per year. Today, we are experiencing more than six. Further, these heat waves are lasting longer. In the 1960s, heat waves lasted about 22 days. Now, they average 72 days. And one more heat stat. The number of people in emergency rooms due to heat exposure has increased from 151 out of 100,000 emergency room visits a few years ago to more than 180 today. So, what steps should employers take to protect workers from extreme heat...