About the HITT: It features several premieres, including the new co-presenter Heleri Rande, who replaces Xenia zu Hohenlohe in the team of moderators. The final title is "Adapt and Transform: Mastering Hospitality ESG and Innovate with Hospitality Tech Labs". Sustainability no longer works without technologisation, just as AI, robots, AR and VR will transform everyday hotel life. We are organising the innovation topics in cooperation with Hotelschool The Hague Amsterdam. Book your ticket now!
What do OTAs have to do with sustainability? They increase the pressure on hotels via the consumer. In 2021, HRS attracted attention with the introduction of its "green label", the Green Stay Initiative. The OTA, which specialises in corporates, now also offers CO2 offsetting. It now requires hotels to publish accurate emissions data on their websites. They are not only to reduce emissions, but also to compensate for unavoidable emissions. This way, the hotel is able to "polish up" its carbon footprint.
Pressure is also coming from extended-stay platform AltoVita, which lists seven million accommodation options in 165 countries. Its new CO2 calculator measures the emissions for every overnight stay in all listed hotels. And the WTTC is now cooperating with Biosphere - for a standardised global sustainability network in the hotel industry.
Italy and sustainability are no longer mutually exclusive: Almost 80% of operators are introducing sustainability measures to make their hotels more attractive. Massimiliano Sarti has analysed a recent study on the hotel market in Bella Italia, which reveals a high willingness to invest as well as two exciting niche segments in the hospitality sector.
Norway, Austria and Finland are the greenest countries in Europe: Among other things, they stand out with their high share of renewable energies and the use of public transportation. And they lead the country index with even more far-reaching criteria.
From the market: The takeover battle continues. Choice packs a board with ex-Wyndham employees.
In Austria, the general investment trend has made stars of owner-operators. They are currently calling the shots in the transaction market. Brussels is still struggling to finalise its AI legislation, but on Wednesday it published a package of rules for European start-ups and SMEs. The EU Talent Pool, which aims to place employees from third countries, could also be improved.
The young generation remains optimistic, but in some life situations behaves just as conservatively as their parents. The first future study by Schörghuber shows contradictions and leaves questions unanswered. Many young people will probably not like what JLL has just discovered: Companies around the world are calling their employees back to the office! Around 87% of employers expect their employees to choose the office as their workplace at least from time to time. 33% have introduced compulsory attendance.
The latest news is part of the news that you can read for free on our Marketplace and in our Picked column (always on the home page), including these today: Researchers are working on turning CO2 into plastic, the first grand hotel opened 250 years ago, and a well-known association for raising awareness of internet abuse is now presenting a platform for environmental awareness and climate protection.
Yours, Susanne Stauss
Deputy Editor-in-Chief
