Special RepoRt couraging guests to leave their room keys behind to raise money for the American Cancer Society . ESA will donate US $ 1 per key , eventually adding up to a committed total contribution of US $ 1 million .
“ Hotel Keys of Hope is a simple idea but it is resonating with guests that their stay can make a difference ,” Sedden says .
Eco-friendly initiatives
Environmental initiatives are also popular approaches to CSR . Bangkok-based Soneva Group operates the ultra-luxury Soneva Fushi in the Maldives Islands and Soneva Kiri on an east coast island of Thailand with sustainability as one of its main priorities . In fact , a 2 % carbon tax levied on guests at both resorts has so far generated US $ 5.5 million for environmental causes .
“ It is our moral compass as well as our operating compass ,” says Sonu Shivdasani , founder and CEO of Soneva . “ Sustainability runs through our core and we are always striving to limit the negative environmental impact of our activities . Sometimes the more sustainable option is actually the more luxurious one .” Soneva also removed branded bottled water from its hotels several years ago with the savings going to local charities that are part of its Slow Life Foundation . Shivdasani founded the nonprofit that supports the development of projects whose impacts directly address social and environmental challenges around the world , as well as Whole World Water , which promotes hotel chains donating 10 % of revenues to water charities .
“ The hotel industry benefits the richest 20 % to 30 % of the planet , and because of our resource-hungry ways , it comes at
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