15TH DECEMBER 2006
Hotel Chains Ignoring Environmental and Social Responsibilities
The latest issue of Ethical Consumer magazine criticises British and international hotel chains for failing to face up to their environmental and social impacts.
According to Sarah Irving, the report's author, �most hotel chains simply don't take their ethical responsibilities seriously. They rely on holidaymakers' desire to just 'get away from it all' and not think about their surroundings, with the result that hotel companies get away with abusing their workers, the rights of the people whose land they build resorts on, and the environment. They sell the idea of paradise, but they're increasingly destroying what natural paradises remain, and making life hell for local people.�
A survey of standards undertaken for the 'Sun, Sea and Slavery' report found that even the biggest international hotel chains had poor environmental and social policies, with standards in the industry well below those of comparable-sized companies in other sectors. The Hilton Hotel chain was singled out for causing damage to ecosystems in the Bahamas and in Honduras, where it has also been linked to intimidation of the local community which is opposed to the company's hotel and leisure development.
Smaller, UK-only hotel chains had even worse records, with many apparently not regarding themselves as having duties to protect the environment or society. This is despite the very poor working standards recorded for many British and overseas hotels, some of whom were alleged by campaigners to employ illegal immigrants and other vulnerable groups, on poverty wages.
International Abuses
The need for hotel companies to take their responsibilities seriously was demonstrated by the involvement of several of the companies covered in the report in major environmental and human rights abuses around the world.
Best Buys
Of the companies covered in the report, Accor's Ibis and Novotel brands were given a cautious welcome because the company had a slightly more advanced approach to environmental and social reporting than its contemporaries. However, holidaymakers seeking to make ethical choices for accommodation were also referred to a range of 'alternative' books and directories which offer options for a cleaner conscience as well as a pleasant stay.
Hotels Ratings
Brand (Ethiscore)
- Ramada Jarvis (11.5)
- Britannia (11.5)
- Ibis (11)
- Macdonald (10)
- Best Western (9.5)
- Holiday Inn (9)
- Thistle (9)
- WA Shearing (9)
- Corus (8)
- Hilton (7.5)
- Malmaison (7.5)
- Premier Travel Inn (7.5)
- Travelodge (7.5)
- Marriott (2.5)
Notes to Journalists
Ethiscore is a numerical rating (out of 20) designed to allow consumers to compare companies across a range of corporate responsibility issues, including the environment, human and animal rights. The higher the score, the better a company�s ethical record. For more information visit www.ethiscore.org.
Copies of the �Sun, Sea and Slavery� article on hotels are available to members of the press FREE OF CHARGE from ECRA Publishing, Unit 21, 41 Old Birley Street, Manchester M15 5RF. For further information about Ethical Consumer, or to arrange an interview, contact Ruth Rosselson or Mary Rayner on 0161 226 2929 (12 noon � 6pm). For out-of-hours press enquiries please contact Ruth on 07944 674 291. Free sample back copies are always available.
For the full ethical research on all these companies, do a search on the home page of this site: www.corporatecritic.org.