Why responsibility matters in hospitality.
Hospitality shapes where people work, how communities function, and how places evolve. The choices hotels make ripple far beyond the guest experience.
Hospitality affects economies and people.
Hospitality and travel can play a vital role in generating economic and social value.
ECONOMY
US $10.9 Trillion in global contribution to GDP
SOCIAL CONNECTION
24% more likely to feel globally connected by people who travel more
EMPLOYMENT
359 million in job generation worldwide
WELL-BEING
25% increase in well-being scores reported by guests in hotel breaks
INNOVATION
3.4% increase in company potents due to travel
STRESS
20% reduction in stress reported by guests after hotel stay
Hospitality isn’t neutral.
Hospitality decisions influence employment quality, resource use, and community well-being.
JOB QUALITY
Employment conditions directly affect household stability and workforce resilience. Around 35% of hospitality workers are low wage earners and annual turnover often exceeds 60 - 70%.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
About 80% of tourism businesses are small and medium enterprises, yet in some markets 50 - 60% of tourism revenue can look out out of the economy. Growth can also intensify housing and affordability pressures.
RESOURCE INTENSITY
Hotels operate 24/7 and are among the most operationally intensive real estate asset classes, with significantly higher energy, water, and waste intensity than many other types.
Responsible travel interest is rising, yet industry response remains fragmented and unclear.
Consumers face confusing, certifications, selective reporting, and isolated initiatives that rarely address the highest impact drivers of employment, emissions, or community values.
24%
of guests trust sustainability claims
7 in 10
travelers are overwhelmed trying to travel sustainably.