#26 | 22/03/2024

Hello

This week we attended the inaugural Icons of Inclusion event, which was created by Out There magazine to address the issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in the luxury travel sector. How can it be that in 2024 a lot of hotels still do not include people from, for example, the LGBTQIA+ and black community on their marketing photos? And why do disabled guests get such poor room choices? It's mind blowing that any guest can still face these issues in an industry which is so adept at bringing people together under one roof. Read our feature on the event below.

Next week we will be at the EEA's Sustainability Symposium and you could be too – click on the banner at the top of the newsletter to answer a few questions about EV charging and hotels and you will be entered into the draw to win a complimentary place at the event.

Our Q&A this week is with Alex Sogno, CEO, Global Asset Solutions. We discuss the luxury-sustainability conundrum – can luxury hotels have it all and what should they be doing about sustainability when their guests want more?

Until next time,

Felicity Cousins,
Editor, Sustainable Hotel News

Image: Minor Hotels

HEADLINES

💬 Q&A: Alex Sogno, CEO, Global Asset Solutions

Alex Sogno, CEO Global Asset Solutions talks to Sustainable Hotel News about the luxury-sustainability conundrum – can luxury hotels have it all and what should they be doing about sustainability when their guests want more?

🧑🏾‍🤝‍🧑🏾 Icons of Inclusion: Calls for industry to adapt and embrace diversity

The Icons of Inclusion event, at The Dorchester hotel in London, brought together industry experts to discuss diversity and inclusion in luxury travel and tourism. The event was headed up by Uwern Jong experientialist-in-chief of Out There magazine and showcased best practice in the industry and celebrated role models through key note speakers and panel discussions on luxury travel and race, LGBTQIA+, women, ageism, indigenous tourism, trans travel and accessibility.

🌐 Alliance to tackle social impact of tourism in new partnership

The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance has partnered with The International Social Tourism Organisation (ISTO) with the aim to drive responsible tourism that is accessible to all. ISTO is an international non-profit organisation which brings together stakeholders from the social, sustainable and solidarity tourism sectors across the globe. Its mission is to promote social sustainability in the tourism sector by fostering collaboration and driving impactful initiatives worldwide.

🌱 Minor Hotels sees 20th property attain top tier Green Growth 2050 certification

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort has become the 20th Minor Hotels property to attain the top tier in the Green Growth 2050 certification programme. Green Growth 2050 was established in 2015 by Brisbane-based VisionCSR, and achieved GSTC-Recognised status in the same year. The organisation offers certification for tourism and travel businesses based around recognised environmental and hotel industry sustainability standards.

📚 Sustainable Hospitality Challenge sees more than 70 universities take part

The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC) by Hotelschool The Hague has launched its 10th edition with more than 70 universities participating worldwide. The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge champions sustainable impact through collaboration and each year students from diverse disciplines present investable products ready for market integration, with the platform aiming to promote, create, and stimulate investments in sustainable solutions for hospitality. This year’s focus centres on product development, addressing the evolving landscape of hospitality.

🤝 Alliance partners with India’s hospitality association FHRAI

The Federation of Hotels and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), the world’s third-largest hospitality association, has joined forces with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance). FHRAI provides a link between the hospitality industry, political leadership, academics and international associations.

🧑🏾‍🤝‍🧑🏾Icons of Inclusion: Calls for industry to adapt and embrace diversity

This week the inaugural Icons of Inclusion event, at The Dorchester hotel in London, brought together industry experts to discuss diversity and inclusion in luxury travel and tourism. The event was headed up by Uwern Jong experientialist-in-chief of Out There magazine, which was founded in 2010 as a luxury and experiential travel journal for the LGBTQ+ community, but which has evolved to be a “vital voice of inclusivity in luxury travel for those who still feel underrepresented in the mainstream.” The Icons of Inclusion event showcased best practice in the industry and celebrated role models through key note speakers and panel discussions on luxury travel and race, LGBTQIA+, women, ageism, indigenous tourism, trans travel and accessibility. We have a full feature on the event with a roundup of key moments from the discussions.

👀 Read more features here 👀

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