Worldwide Hospitality Awards

Journey to Tomorrow is IHG Hotels and Resorts’ 10-year responsible business plan – our global commitments to make a positive difference for people, communities and planet.

IHG Hotels & Resorts launched Journey to Tomorrow, a series of ambitious new commitments to make a positive difference for our people, communities and planet over the next decade, in February 2021. Guided by IHG’s purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good, we will work side by side with those who stay, work and partner with us, to help shape the future of responsible travel. Journey to Tomorrow sets out five clear ambitions, building on the progress and achievements made against our 2018-2020 targets: 

Champion a diverse culture where everyone can thrive  

With around 400,000 colleagues in our offices and hotels touching the lives of millions of people every day, we have an opportunity to help create a future where equality, inclusion and fairness are experienced by all.  We’re committed to driving gender balance at IHG and doubling the number of people in leadership roles who belong to under-represented minorities. We’ll champion an inclusive culture where colleagues, owners and suppliers feel valued, encourage greater diversity among those we work with, and we’ll partner with others to educate our communities.

Improve the lives of 30 million people in our communities around the world  

With hotels spanning more than 100 countries, we’re proud to be at the heart of our communities and recognise the opportunity our global reach brings to shape a positive future for local people and the generations to come. We’ll help drive economic growth by offering access to valuable skills and work experience opportunities and support local communities by bringing people and ideas together to initiate positive social change. We’ll also continue our proud history of caring for people in times of need, ensuring they receive immediate support and safety.   

Reduce our energy use and carbon emissions in line with climate science  

With the hotel sector accounting for around 1% of global carbon emissions, we know it’s important that we play our part in protecting our planet for the future.  We’ve set a science-based target to reduce emissions across every single one of our hotels globally, and we’re targeting all new-build properties to operate with very low or zero emissions by 2030. We’re also committed to maximising the role of renewable sources of energy across our entire estate.   

Pioneer the transformation to a minimal waste hospitality industry  

With only 9% of plastic currently being recycled and around one-third of food produced being wasted across the globe, we’re passionate about providing our guests with a more sustainable stay.  We’re working to eliminate single-use items in our hotels throughout the guest stay, adopt more reusable or recyclable alternatives and establish a three-part plan to “prevent, donate and divert” our food waste. Recognising the importance of collaboration when it comes to protecting our planet, we’ll also form partnerships to create circular solutions for major hotel items that work for the greater good.    

Conserve water and help secure water access in those areas at greatest risk  

Demand for water often exceeds supply in many parts of the world, with the UN predicting an increase of between 20-30% by 2050. So, it’s never been more important for us to find ways to reduce our usage and work with others towards sustainable solutions that create water access for all.  We’ll implement tools to reduce water consumption in high-risk areas, and when it comes to our communities, we’ll work with others to establish adequate water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions and help ensure supply is managed more sustainably at a local level.   

Each of the ambitions and commitments in IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow plan is rooted in an understanding of what is most important to colleagues, guests, hotel owners and investors when it comes to operating thoughtfully and growing sustainably. Our plan also contributes to the universal framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to provide a blueprint for a better, more sustainable future for us all by 2030.

Progress is best achieved when we work together, and we are collaborating closely with those who stay, work and partner with us. This includes working with governments and industry stakeholders across the world, such as WTTC, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, the AHLA and the Zero Carbon Forum, to influence the roadmap to net zero carbon across the wider tourism, travel and hospitality industry.

As we embark on an exciting and important journey with our 10-year Journey to Tomorrow plan, we know it’s going to take a truly global team effort to achieve our ambitious targets. Each and every colleague has a part to play. Working collaboratively to find new sustainable solutions, being ambassadors for our culture, sharing ideas and supporting our communities, together we can shape the future of responsible travel.