30 May Hilton’s Impact and Progress towards Sustainable Hospitality

Image by Bruce Emmerling from Pixabay

Hilton, a leading hospitality company, and the Hilton Global Foundation, Hilton’s philanthropic arm, announced today the latest progress towards their shared goal of creating a better world for travel with the release of the 2023 Hilton Global Foundation Impact Report and the 2023 Hilton Travel with Purpose Report.

Hilton’s Travel with Purpose Report outlines the hospitality leader’s progress towards its Travel with Purpose environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy to drive responsible travel globally. Travel with Purpose outlines Hilton’s 2030 energy, water and waste reduction targets as well as community engagement and governance goals. Through carbon reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative and social impact targets aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development goals, Hilton is working to reduce its emissions and create engines of opportunity while operating with accountability, integrity and transparency.

Hilton’s Travel with Purpose strategy is led by its 469,000 team members around world who are working to drive responsible travel throughout its business, operations, supply chain and among the communities where it operates.

This year, Hilton has made the following progress (based on a 2008 baseline):  

Achieved a 45.1 percent reduction in carbon emissions intensity among its managed hotels and a 25.1 percent reduction in carbon emissions intensity among its franchised hotels.

Reduced its water use intensity among its managed hotels by 26.5 percent.

Lowered its landfilled waste intensity by 63.7% among its managed hotels, surpassing its initial 2030 50 percent reduction target.

Created more than 860,000 learning and career growth opportunities in 2023. Contributing to more than 1.5 million opportunities since 2022.

Contributed more than 377,000 volunteer hours in communities around the world, with a total of more than 2.5 million volunteer hours reported since 2017.

Through Hilton’s Team Member Assistance Fund, distributed more than $865,000 to a record number of Hilton team members impacted by disaster, crisis and personal hardship.

In addition to its progress towards its 2030 Travel with Purpose Goals, Hilton demonstrated its industry leadership and advocacy in 2023, engaging in global efforts for climate action and positive social impact such as the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, testifying to the United States Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion and participating in the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s Responsible Stay Initiative.

The Hilton Global Foundation, Hilton’s philanthropic arm, works in partnership with the hospitality leader to drive progress towards its 2030 Travel with Purpose goals. Last year, the Hilton Global Foundation made significant strides to create a positive impact in communities around the world. The Hilton Global Foundation Impact Report outlines the significant social and environmental impact generated from the Hilton Global Foundation’s more than $4.4 million in grants donated in 2022. Grants were made to organizations that are improving, restoring or protecting local environments, supporting the economic and career development of vulnerable and underrepresented groups and strengthening the resilience of communities around the world.

“Hilton was founded on the belief that hospitality is a powerful force for good. Hilton and the Hilton Global Foundation are harnessing the transformative power of hospitality by driving meaningful impact in the communities where we live, work, and travel,” said Katherine Lugar, EVP, Corporate Affairs and president, Hilton Global Foundation. “We are proud of the progress we’ve made towards our 2030 Goals and our ongoing commitment to empower communities, protect the planet, and enrich the lives of individuals around the globe.”

Through funding provided by the Hilton Global Foundation, organizations around the world are driving destination stewardship, creating career and learning opportunities for all and providing critical relief to communities recovering from natural disasters, resulting in:  

More than 308,000 pounds of waste diverted from landfill, 58,800 trees planted and nearly 22,000 acres of land restored.

The distribution of more than 168,000 meals and donation of more than 126,000 pounds of food.

1,438,010 community members meaningfully impacted by Hilton Global Foundation grants.

More than 58,331 learning and career growth opportunities including more than 36,000 opportunities for youth.

Provided critical relief to communities recovering from natural disasters, including the communities impacted by the 2023 wildfires in Maui, Hawaii and earthquake affected areas throughout Türkiye.

The Hilton Global Foundation also supports communities recovering from disasters and conflicts, working to spread the light and warmth of hospitality where it is needed most. In response to the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, the Hilton Global Foundation worked in partnership with Hilton properties and local organizations to provide immediate relief through food donations, emergency housing and critical supplies to impacted communities.

The Hilton Global Foundation also works around the world to empower Hilton team members to go beyond the walls of their hotels to spread the light and warmth of hospitality in their local communities. Nominated by Hilton team members, the Hilton Global Foundation distributes Action Grants to support the philanthropic efforts of our hotels. in partnership with the nominating team members and other members of the community, these grants help launch volunteer efforts such as beach clean-up and marine education events, college readiness training for first generation students, support for community farms or food waste reduction projects, among other causes. In 2023, the Hilton Global Foundation awarded 75 action grants to local organizations.

Since 2019, The Hilton Global Foundation has awarded more than $12 million in grants, donated more than 18 million pounds of food to communities in need, served more than 10 million meals, recycled more than 28 million pounds of material and restored more than 247,000 acres of land. More information about the efforts of the Hilton Global Foundation can be found at hiltonglobalfoundation.hilton.com.