WASHINGTON—Hilton’s Vice President of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Global Head of Sustainability, Jean Garris Hand, testified on behalf of Hilton and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion. The hearing, titled “Sustainable Tourism for a Thriving Economy,” explored how to build a sustainable travel and tourism sector while balancing the needs of businesses, visitors, and local communities.
Garris Hand’s written and spoken testimony highlighted how AHLA’s Responsible Stay initiative is rallying the hospitality industry behind efforts that are promoting energy efficiency, reducing waste, conserving water, and sourcing responsibly at hotel properties across the nation.
“By focusing on these core principles, AHLA, and its members are united in a commitment to strengthen environmental programs, education, and resources to provide a ‘responsible stay’ for guests, protect the future of the planet, and support communities across the country,” she said in her written testimony. “AHLA members, including Hilton, have embraced these principles, leading the charge to reduce environmental footprints, increase the positive impact we have on our communities all while enhancing the guest experience.”
AHLA’s Responsible Stay effort is one of several steps AHLA and its members have recently taken to promote environmental sustainability. In October, AHLA partnered with IncentiFind to help its more than 30,000 members identify sustainability-related cost savings.
And in September, AHLA and the Hotel Association of Canada signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture company that will own and operate the Green Key Global certification system in the United States and Canada. That effort will help promote the use of a system that gives hotels an eco-rating based on key metrics like energy and water conservation, land use, waste management, and others.
