When China sent relief packages to Italy to help with the battle against Covid-19, they apparently included a note that read, “we are all waves in the same sea”. This powerful sentiment has never been more relevant, particularly for the hospitality industry.

Like many others, our sector finds itself shrouded in times of unprecedented difficulty off the back of the Coronavirus pandemic. With the situation changing by the day, it is all too easy to focus solely on bleak news updates. Despite the challenges that many individuals and companies are facing, our industry is coming together to give back, support one another and fight back.

Take a few minutes to read just a few of the wonderful things that our industry is doing to help others:

The Standard

Following news that, like many, Standard Hotels will temporarily close the doors of its properties, the brand established a fundraiser scheme from which all proceeds will be used for the benefit and support those who have lost their jobs during this time.

In a statement made by Amar Lalvani, CEO of Standard Hotels, he calls upon the importance of governments and communities in supporting vulnerable workers, before ending his address on a positive note:

“When, god willing, we do reopen, we also need you, our guests, to step back in through our doors. To bring back the spirit of travel, exploration and adventure that makes life richer, and the human connections that make life worth living. These are what brings us closer together in this, more obviously than ever, interconnected world.”

Click here to donate to Standard Hotels’ fundraiser.

GG Hospitality

Last week, former professional footballer-turned-hotelier Gary Neville, who owns Hotel Football and Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester, announced that both properties will accommodate healthcare workers and medical professionals free of charge to aid the ongoing battle against coronavirus.

“It is at this moment in time the whole of our industry needs to show solidarity, not just for our staff in these uncertain times, but for the people who need accommodation most in the coming months,” Neville explains.

He also announced that none of the staff who work within GG Hospitality would be made redundant or be asked to take unpaid leave.

Watch the full message below.

Projectkin

Sustainable travel goods brand Projectkin has announced it will donate 50% of its profits to the Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The fund is a secure way for individuals, philanthropies and businesses to contribute to the WHO-led effort to respond to the pandemic.

With its mantra #travelmindfully, Projectkin has called upon the public to be mindful, stay home and join forces with them to help the WHO combat coronavirus.

The brand, which launched officially a month ago with an event at The Audo, Copenhagen, so far comprises two collections designed by Boris Berlin and Thomas Bentzen.

Head to the Projectkin website to browse the collections and support the initiative.

www.projectkintravel.com

LVMH

LVMH, French luxury goods corporation and owners of Belmond and Cheval Blanc, has instructed its Perfumes & Cosmetics department to prepare production sites for manufacturing large quantities of hydroalcoholic gel.

Once made, this will be distributed free of charge to the French health authorities and the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris.

Through this initiative, LVMH intends to help address the risk of a lack of product in France and enable people to protect themselves from the spread of the virus.

Fashionizer

Typically producing bespoke uniforms for hotels such as The Ned London, The Belmond Cadogan Hotel and Zuri Zanzibar Resort, Fashionizer has diverted its resources to produce washable face masks.

With surgical masks being prioritised for medical and healthcare professionals, the brand’s new products will protect the general public and help prevent face touching with their hands.

All printed designs are fashioned from 100% cotton, and plain colours from cotton performance fabric.

The products are being made in London by the Fashionizer workroom team, as well as staff working from home and a network of experienced freelance machinist who would otherwise have no income during this time.

“We have made custom luxury uniforms for over 26 years,” says Debbie Leon, the brand’s Founder and Owner. “In light of this unprecedented threat to our lives and livelihood, we have looked at a way to focus on the positive, preserve jobs, keep busy, and assist the situation using our expertise and resources.”

The brand emphasises that the reusable masks are not medical devices, however they are better than no protection at all, according to testing by the Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health Inc. Their main purpose is to prevent people from touching their faces with their hands, which is a critical method of virus transmission.

Follow the link below to buy your own Fashionizer mask.

www.hoteluniformshop.com

Ace Hotel

Ace Hotel has temporarily suspended its operations at Sister City as well as its New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago and London properties.

In a recent announcement, the group expressed: “We have always been a safe space for others and we can’t be that right now. But we read that China sent relief packages to Italy and included this snippet of a poem: ‘We are all waves from the same sea’.”

In this spirit, Ace has set up a Family Fund to directly support its teams who need it now. They also used their voice to alert government representatives that millions of hospitality workers require a comprehensive relief program at this time.

Click here to donate to the Ace Family Fund.

CREDITS:
Words: Donna Salek
Main image c/o Ace Hotel
ace hotels atelier ace Belmond cheval blanc Coronavirus Covid-19 fashionizer gg hospitality hotel football lvmh projectkin sister city the standard the stock exchange hotel