Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Choice Hotels raises ‘green commitment’ in 2022 ESG report

Steps include use of energy- and water-saving technology, phasing out single-use polystyrene and a focus on diversity

Choice Hotels raises ‘green commitment’ in 2022 ESG report

A NEW ENVIRONMENTAL, social and governance report released by Choice Hotels International highlights steps that would allow the company to reduce utility costs, save time for franchisees, and increase Choice’s ESG commitments. Those steps include new energy- and water-saving technology, diversity goals for hotel ownership and more.

The report entitled “Building a Better Tomorrow, Today” lays out the company’s plan to being a good corporate citizen, according to a release.


“Choice Hotels shares a uniting belief that tomorrow will be even better than today, and we are committed to building that better tomorrow,” said Patrick Pacious, Choice’s CEO, in the report. “As one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, we are building on more than 80 years of success in developing a portfolio of diversified brands and creating a lasting, sustainable legacy for the future – one hotel, one family, one community at a time.”

Key findings

The report further details measures being undertaken by Choice to integrate ESG standards and principles into its long-term decision-making and operations, including:

  • Reporting Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions for the first time and aligning ESG disclosures with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Appointing an executive with knowledge of the business as vice president, sustainability and creating two new ESG governance forums to strengthen Choice’s ESG strategy and execution.
  • Joining the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, a global network that champions responsible hospitality, and becoming one of its largest members.
  • Relaunching HERtels by Choice, driving a 53 percent year-over-year increase in the company’s hotel franchise deals with woman owners.
  • Committing $25 million in incentives for contracts with underrepresented minority and woman owners by 2025.
  • Setting a goal to increase the representation of women in senior leadership roles to 50 percent.

Going green

In its bid to strengthen sustainability efforts at both the corporate and hotel levels, Choice Hotels appointed Megan Brumagim to the newly created role of vice president of ESG in April 2022.

Choice also is working to meet its goal of phasing out single-use polystyrene products across its domestic brands by the end of 2023. Almost 70 percent of its midscale hotels have already eliminated the use of polystyrene products.

“The sustainability practices we are implementing aren’t just good for our people, our communities, and our planet, they’re good for business. That’s why we’re strengthening our commitments and continuing to engage our franchisees on the journey,” Brumagim said. “Whether through Commitment to Green or the recent installation of CarbinX carbon-capture technology at the Radisson Blu Mall of America, we’re focused on practical ways to make a positive impact and deliver financial returns for our owners. Innovative efforts to drive energy efficiency and save water also save our hardworking hotel owners time and money, without sacrificing guest experience.”

According to the statement, the Radisson Blu Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, recently began using of CarbinX, a small-scale carbon-capture device. Developed by CleanO2, CarbinX connects to the natural gas hot water heaters in the hotel, captures the CO2 they produce, and converts it into an ingredient that can be used in locally produced soap and detergent.

“While we are proud of our work to date, we recognize we are still at the beginning in some aspects of our ESG journey,” Pacious said. “Because our belief in an even better tomorrow extends to all those we serve, one thing that won’t change as we continue to grow and evolve as a company is our people-centered culture. We are committed to our franchisees and their success, to our associates and their wellbeing and career development, and to providing our guests with a welcoming stay wherever their travels take them.”

A transformative year

Meanwhile, Choice Hotels also completed its acquisition of Radisson Hotels Americas for $675 million in 2022. The transaction included Radisson’s franchise business, operations and intellectual property.

This past year has been transformative, said Pacious in the ESG report.

“We have taken the company to an even higher level of performance and emerged in a stronger competitive position,” he said. “Our acquisition of Radisson Hotel Group Americas represents a significant leap forward in the evolution of Choice’s business — one that complements our distinct growth strategy and accelerates our long-term vision.”

More for you

Peachtree Group DST Mansfield Texas

Peachtree adds Mansfield, TX, industrial asset to DST

Summary:

  • Peachtree launched new DST with 131,040‑square foot industrial facility in Mansfield, Texas.
  • The property was acquired at $180 per square foot.
  • Peachtree completed $320M in debt-free transactions across multiple markets since 2022.

PEACHTREE GROUP LAUNCHED its latest Delaware Statutory Trust with the acquisition of a newly built 131,040-square-foot industrial facility in Mansfield, Texas. The company has completed about $320 million in debt-free transactions since launching its DST program in 2022, according to its statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
AHLA Foundation expands hospitality education

AHLA Foundation expands hospitality education

Summary:

  • AHLA Foundation is partnering with ICHRIE and ACPHA to support hospitality education.
  • The collaborations align academic programs with industry workforce needs.
  • It will provide data, faculty development, and student engagement opportunities.

THE AHLA FOUNDATION, International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education and the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration work to expand education opportunities for students pursuing hospitality careers. The alliances aim to provide data, faculty development and student engagement opportunities.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. holiday travel 2025 trends

Report: U.S. consumers’ holiday travel intent dips

Summary:

  • U.S. holiday travel is down to 44 percent, led by Millennials and Gen Z.
  • Younger consumers are cost-conscious while older generations show steadier travel intent.
  • 76 percent of Millennials are likely to use AI for travel recommendations.

NEARLY 44 PERCENT of U.S. consumers plan to travel during the 2025 holiday season, down from 46 percent last year, according to PwC. Millennials and Gen Z lead travel intent at 55 percent each, while Gen X sits at 39 percent and Baby Boomers at 26 percent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump tariffs India impact travel

Indian arrivals to U.S. fall for first time in millennium

Summary:

  • Indian visitors to the U.S. fell 8 percent to 210,000 in June 2025, according to NTTO.
  • President Trump’s 50 percent tariff on Indian goods took effect on August 27.
  • The U.S. has seen a decline in international visitors in recent months.

INDIAN VISITORS TO the U.S. fell in June 2025 for the first time this millennium, excluding the Covid period, according to the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Travel and Tourism Office. About 210,00 Indians visited the U.S. in June, down 8 percent from 230,000 in the same month last year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Report: Global RevPAR to rise 3–5 percent in 2025

Report: Global RevPAR to rise 3–5 percent in 2025

Summary:

  • Global hotel RevPAR is projected to grow 3 to 5 percent in 2025, JLL reports.
  • Hotel RevPAR rose 4 percent in 2024, with demand at 4.8 billion room nights.
  • London, New York and Tokyo are expected to lead investor interest in 2025.

GLOBAL HOTEL REVPAR is projected to grow 3 to 5 percent in 2025, with investment volume up 15 to 25 percent, driven by loan maturities, deferred capital spending and private equity fund expirations, according to JLL. Leisure travel is expected to decline as consumer savings tighten, while group, corporate and international travel increase, supporting RevPAR growth.

Keep ReadingShow less