IHG Hotels & Resorts on Monday launched Journey to Tomorrow, its 10-year responsible business plan that includes a series of new commitments intended to make a positive difference for its people, communities and planet.
In a press release, IHG said the new commitments are guided by its purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good. “We will work side by side with those who stay, work and partner with us, to help shape the future of responsible travel – supporting our?people?and making a positive difference to our local?communities,?while preserving our?planet’s?beauty and diversity long into the future,” the statement said.
In an open letter, IHG’s CEO, Keith Barr, said that the global response to Covid-19 has shown what can be achieved when organizations bring together expertise, resources and compassion for the greater good.
“Journey to Tomorrow embodies IHG’s strengthened commitment to make sure we do what’s right, not just what’s needed,” Barr said. “We want every IHG stakeholder to see that we’re on a journey to be successful in every sense of the word, and we are determined to contribute towards positive social and economic change, to stand up for key issues such as diversity, equity and inclusion, and human rights, and to make more responsible environmental choices.
“I believe that how we grow as a company and work to be a greater force for good are inextricably linked. So, we are empowering our colleagues, and working together with our hotel owners and our industry to help shape the future of responsible travel. It’s never been more crucial that we do.”
Formed through a comprehensive assessment process involving external experts, stakeholder consultation and industry collaboration, IHG’s plan also contributes to the universal framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to provide a blueprint for a better, more sustainable future for us all by 2030.
The plan was driven by some of the following IHG research:
- A global study commissioned by IHG of around 9,000 adults revealed that consumers are more mindful than ever about travelling responsibly, with 82% saying it is important to choose a hotel brand that operates responsibly. In fact, research found consumers will spend an average of 31% per night more on accommodation that meets this need.
- In the space of a year, Covid-19 has increased awareness of responsible travel more broadly, with 60% of people saying the pandemic has made them more socially and environmentally conscious about their impact on the world when travelling. This rises to 58% among travelers aged 18-24, compared to 36% for over 55s.
- With the world travelling more locally during the pandemic, consumers are showing an overwhelming appetite to show care for the communities around them. 86% of people say it is important to get to know the local community when visiting somewhere new. And more than half of respondents (57%) say they care more about contributing to their local communities and the planet while travelling than they did 10 years ago showing a long-term shift in their thinking.
IHG’s plan sets out five ambitions, building on our long-term commitments and achievements, including the progress made against its 2018-2020 targets. These include:
Our people: Champion a diverse culture where everyone can thrive
- Achieve a gender balance and a doubling of under-represented groups across our leadership
- Cultivate a culture of inclusion for colleagues, owners and suppliers
- Support all colleagues to prioritize their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others
- Drive respect for and advance human rights
Communities: Improve the lives of 30 million people in our communities around the world
- Drive economic and social change through skills training and innovation
- Support our communities when natural disaster strikes
- Collaborate to aid those facing food poverty
Carbon & energy: Reduce our energy use and carbon emissions in line with climate science
- Implement a 2030 science-based target that delivers 15% absolute reduction in our direct operations, and a 46% per m2 reduction in franchise operations
- Target 100% new build hotels to operate at very low/zero carbon emissions
- Maximize/optimize the role of renewable energy
Waste: Pioneer the transformation to a minimal waste hospitality industry
- Eliminate single use items, or move to reusable or recyclable alternatives across the guest stay
- Minimize food going to waste through a “prevent, donate, divert” plan
- Collaborate to achieve circular solutions for major hotel commodity items
Water: Conserve water and help secure water access in those areas at greatest risk
- Focus on those hotels operating in the areas of highest water risk to:
- Implement tools to reduce the water footprint of our hotels
- Mitigate water risk through stakeholder collaboration to deliver water stewardship at basin level
- Collaborate to ensure adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions for our operating communities
A detailed update on this will be shared in IHG’s 2020 Responsible Business Report to be published in March 2021.