#9 | 02/11/2023

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I was thrilled to catch up with Charlie MacGregor, CEO, The Social Hub, which has a portfolio of 23 hotels across eight countries. A respected and welcome disruptor in the hospitality space, MacGregor is aiming to bring different communities together and create an inclusive and collaborative society across the portfolio. It is also in the process of applying for B Corp – read more in our Q&A feature below.

Other news this week saw the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance team up with climate advisory partner STRIVE by STX, and IHG continue its partnership with Blue Dragon Children's Foundation in Vietnam to tackle child poverty and human trafficking.

And we have the hotel winners of the Blue Badge Access Awards. Fiona Jarvis, co-founder of the Blue Badge Access Awards and chief judge, said: “This was a very emotional and positive evening as all the nominees and winners were there with the common goal of making places hospitable for all. None were complacent and all wanted to know how they could do better."

Until next time,

Felicity Cousins
Editor, Sustainable Hotel News

IHG Hotels & Resorts is strengthening its partnership with Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation to tackle human trafficking in Vietnam. According to IHG an estimated one in five children live in poverty in Vietnam and often end up on the streets in an attempt to financially support their families, leaving them exposed and vulnerable.

This year’s Blue Badge Access Awards have been announced, celebrating hospitality venues which excel in providing exceptional accessibility, style and design.

According to the data, there is particular interest in supporting communities still rebuilding from natural disasters, and it’s also clear that responsible travel is a key draw, with 60 per cent looking to reduce travel with high carbon emissions (60 per cent) and make choices that positively impact those destinations visited.

Choice Hotels International, one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors, has been named one of the “World’s Top Companies for Women 2023” by Forbes. This is the second consecutive year that Choice Hotels has been recognised on the list, which assesses companies on employer brand, public opinion and leadership scores.

STRIVE by STX has joined the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance as an affiliate member and “trusted climate advisory partner.” STRIVE by STX is the climate action arm of environmental commodities trader STX Group, and according to the Alliance, the partnership will bring guidance and expertise on “the decarbonisation economy”.

Renewables company Greenvolt has signed an agreement with Vila Galé to install solar panels at over a third of the group’s Portuguese hotels. A total of 2,331 photovoltaic solar panels will be installed across 13 properties.

As a LEED Gold-certified building, the property features chemically neutral materials, a live green roof, solar panels, ground-sourced HVAC system, and soon-to-be installed wind turbines. Hotel Verdant will also follow carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health, and indoor environmental quality practices, as established by the US Green Building Council.

Luxury hotel group, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, has expanded its long term partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts and added two hotels to the Beyond Green sustainable hotel portfolio.

From modern hotel rooms, to coworking and event spaces, restaurants and bars, The Social Hub aims to connect local people, travellers, students and professionals to share ideas and experiences. I caught up with Charlie MacGregor, CEO The Social Hub, to talk about society, community, sustainability and how the hotel industry has to move with the times.

Read more features and Q&As here

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