CSR In The Hospitality Industry: Hyatt's 'Ready To Thrive' Education Initiative | Forbes
The hotel industry has been one of tourism’s largest drivers of economic growth, providing about 255 million jobs in 2011, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). In fact, there are many different lesser-known ways in which hotels are working to initiate positive global change and betterment.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation launched a new corporate philanthropy program called Ready to Thrive, which focuses on investments in education in its efforts to create economic opportunities that will in turn lead to healthier communities and improved lives.
According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), more than 793 million people around the world are illiterate. Additionally, more than 60 million children worldwide do not have access to education and will likely never learn to read or write.
Hyatt’s Ready to Thrive invests in community organizations and programs that are devoted to improving literacy and education for children worldwide. In this vein, Hyatt has worked with the Pearson PSO +0.37% Foundation’s We Give Books and Room to Read, donating over 50,000 books to children in need.
“Our focus on literacy and career development goes beyond charitable giving – it is a strategic investment of our resources to create a lasting impact for local communities and for our company,” said Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO for Hyatt Hotels Corporation H +0.6%. “We know that a solid education is essential for economic growth, job creation and income generation, all of which are critical to creating thriving communities and to the success of our business.”
