Hilton celebrates centenary by launching community-funding foundation

Hilton celebrates centenary by launching community-funding foundation

Hilton is celebrating its 100 year anniversary today by expanding its philanthropic arm with the announcement of The Hilton Effect Foundation.

“One hundred years ago, Conrad Hilton had a noble idea that travel can make the world a better place,” Hilton president and CEO Chris Nassetta said.

“That deep-rooted sense of purpose has fuelled our transformative impact all across the globe, as we have welcomed three billion guests, employed 10 million team members and contributed US$1 trillion in economic impact.

“In the years to come, we will do even more to positively change the world through our Hilton Effect Foundation.”

The foundation aims to invest in communities and organisations around Hilton’s properties, building upon the multi-national company’s ‘Travel with Purpose’ strategy, which began in 2011.

Launching this week, The foundation will open with 15 grants for organisations, supporting 20 communities around the world and creating opportunities for youth, aiding in disaster recovery, supporting water stewardship and sustainability.

“Our team members have been delivering the light and warmth of hospitality in Asia Pacific for more than half a century, displaying that same pioneering spirit that saw the company born a century ago,” Hilton APAC president Alan Watts said.

“As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, it’s inspiring to see the positive impact we continue to have and the opportunity to shape the next 100 years of travel in the world’s fastest-growing hospitality market.”

With its Travel with Purpose strategy, in 2011 Hilton became the first hotel chain to institute science-based targets for carbon reduction as part of its 2030 goals to reduce emissions, which are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Hilton also partners with several soap recycling partners across the Asia Pacific region, and has reportedly sent nearly 10 million bars of soap to communities in need internationally, as part of its commitment to send zero soap to landfill. With this and other philanthropic projects, Hilton was named to the 2018 Fortune ‘Change the World’ list.

Last month, Hilton Hotels began its campaign for ‘The Hilton Effect’, celebrating the hospitality stories of its staff.

Hilton Australasia celebrated the occasion by releasing Lasting Impression, which tells the story of Georgia Spencer, sales executive at West Hotel Sydney, Curio Collection by Hilton, and her history with the company, beginning with her father Ashley Spencer and his role at Hilton as vice president of operations.

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