Companies are taking a variety of steps to help their employees and their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic turmoil. Here's what a few of those companies are doing:
Iberostar Group
Since the beginning of this health crisis, Iberostar Group has taken part in charitable initiatives to deal with the most essential needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. In continuous contact with health authorities and social organizations, the hotel chain has donated food and protective equipment in several locations. With hotels temporarily closed worldwide, teams have prepared and distributed products from their warehouses to help the situation in their local communities.
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Hotels in Europe and North Africa have donated food and textiles, such as sheets and towels, along with 88,000 pairs of gloves, 28,000 masks, 20,000 caps and 800 liters of hydroalcoholic gel, among other protective equipment and cleaning products. Upon instructions from the authorities, the goods were delivered to hospitals in Tunisia, Spain and Portugal. Donations from the Majorcan group have been delivered to the local government and other public entities in Madrid, as well as various other food banks and social organizations. Additionally, the Iberostar Club Palmeraie Marrakech hotel in Morocco is accommodating around 15 health workers.
In Latin America, donations have been focused on the delivery of food to vulnerable groups, such as the 400 children in the Dominican Republic receiving help at the Segunda Milla school in Bávaro. Contributions have also been made to the Specialist Body for Tourist Safety in the Dominican Republic, Bayahibe City Council, the Food Bank of Mexico, the Jamaican Ministry of Public Health and the Abrigo Moacyr Alves Social Aid organization in Brazil. Staff villages and canteens at resorts owned by Iberostar Group have remained open, providing services to the company’s workers living on-site.
“Nothing is more important than the health of human beings and our first thoughts are with those who are suffering from this disease,” said CEO Sabina Fluxá. “Our primary concern is the well-being and safety of everyone: it is time to care and act responsibly through the decisions we make, individually and as a company.”
Montage International
Montage International announced the Montage International Associate Relief Program. The program includes internal resources for associates in addition to a consumer piece that allows people to purchase gift certificates for stays in the future—not only inspiring their own future travels but helping Montage associates as well. While the company has provided health-care benefits to its associates, this new program provides even further support to associates across all properties in the Montage Hotels & Resorts and Pendry Hotels & Resorts portfolio, and consists of three components:
- Hearts of Montage Relief Fund: For a limited time, the brand is offering for purchase Montage Cares and Pendry Cares Certificates. Anyone can purchase either a $500 Montage certificate or $250 Pendry certificate for a one-night stay at any Montage or Pendry through May 15, 2021. 100 percent of all proceeds go straight to the fund. There is no limit on the number of certificates you can buy. Additionally, consumers can provide direct donations for the amount of their choice beginning at $10. All can be done from www.heartsofmontage.com.
- Family Meal and Care Package Nights: Twice a month the brand will sponsor the distribution of meals and care packages for families at all Montage and Pendry properties to provide relief with essentials ongoing.
- Optional, Virtual Learning, Culinary + Fitness Programs: New programming will be featured each week that includes professional development programs, recipes and cooking demos, yoga, meditation, Storytime with best-selling author Brad Meltzer for children and more. Employees will receive a weekly newsletter with the schedule, and can also access everything through the Workday App.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts
Karisma Hotels & Resorts is delivering 800 meals daily by Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana to those who need it most in the Dominican Republic.
Karisma has always had a focus on its employee and community-centric culture, authenticity and genuine hospitality. In addition to its ongoing initiatives, Karisma has taken extra measures in support of its employees and communities impacted by COVID-19:
- Karisma Cares for Communities–Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana is supplying and delivering more than 800 meals daily to families in the Dominican Republic, with the assistance of the tourism police municipality. In Mexico, The Karisma Foundation is providing medicine and medical supplies for 160 beneficiaries impacted by COVID-19 in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. El Dorado Royale is also providing food at cost to local community members from its on-site greenhouse.
- Karisma Cares for Employees – Despite the impact of COVID-19 on the hotel industry, Karisma Hotels & Resorts has protected the entirety of its full-time workforce, maintaining jobs for its employees. Karisma also has provided food baskets from El Dorado Royale’s greenhouse in Mexico’s Riviera Maya to employees and locals.