IHG today announces that it has achieved Gold in the Project ICARUS Gold Medal programme, from the GBTA Foundation, the education and research foundation of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s premier business travel and meetings organisation.
The Project ICARUS Gold Medal initiative identifies organisations that are taking action in the drive for greater sustainability within the travel profession. Achieving a Gold Award recognises IHG?s commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism.
David Jerome, Senior Vice President of Corporate Responsibility, IHG said: ?IHG understands that acting responsibly builds our brands, competitive advantage and strengthens our corporate reputation whilst doing the right thing for our communities. And with over 4,500 hotels worldwide and almost 1,000 in the pipeline, we have a tremendous opportunity to make travel and tourism more successful and responsible, from the energy we use to the economic opportunities we create.?
IHG?s Corporate Responsibility strategy is based on innovation, collaboration, environment and community and it?s these four pillars that drive the company?s programmes. IHG?s community strategy focuses on creating local economic opportunity particularly through the IHG Academy, and by providing disaster relief through The IHG Shelter in a Storm Programme. Reducing environmental impacts remains a priority, as well as the increasing number of hotels participating in IHG?s environmental programme, Green Engage.
IHG also recognises that an ever growing number of their corporate clients are setting themselves sustainability targets and looking for IHG?s help in achieving them. IHG is able to provide corporate clients with details of its CR credentials, this includes the objective of making guest stays more carbon efficient and outlines the positive impacts on guest experience.
Stephen Powell, Senior Vice President of Sales, IHG said: ?At IHG, Corporate Responsibility is central to everything we do as a company. Therefore we’re delighted to win the GBTA Foundation’s Project ICARUS Gold Medal award. This award strengthens IHG’s reputation with customers who want to make sustainable choices in global travel and meetings. We thank the Foundation for their recognition and encourage our industry colleagues to join us in the commitment to drive greater sustainability in our industry.?
For more information in IHG?s approach to corporate responsibility and the hotel?s new standardised approach to measuring carbon footprints, see IHG?s Corporate Responsibility Report and www.facebook.com/IHGCorporateResponsibility.