INTERNATIONAL REPORT—At this time of crisis, those associated with the hotel industry make every effort to take care of their own, as well as others in the areas that they serve. Here are some organizations that are helping any way they can during the coronavirus pandemic:
Karisma Hotels & Resorts Helps Guests and Staff
Karisma’s 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, where El Dorado Royale is also providing food at cost to local community members from its on-site greenhouse.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts has also protected all of its full-time workforce. The company has also provided food baskets from El Dorado Royale’s greenhouse to employees and locals.
And finally, Karisma has initiated the #ExperienceElDoradoAtHome campaign to provide guests with mini mental vacations and a taste of travel from home, featuring everything from salsa lessons and mojito making, to guidance on creating the perfect taco and tips and tricks for an evening skincare routine. More will be added over the next few weeks, including recipes for drinks and dishes; a connection to El Dorado’s rich culture; and fun activities.
Hyatt Launches Hyatt Care Fund
In a focused effort to help the colleagues who are most financially impacted by COVID-19, Hyatt has launched the Hyatt Care Fund. The fund is a program designed to support colleagues with the most pressing financial needs due to the pandemic through a series of coordinated efforts around the world. Impacted Hyatt colleagues in owned, managed and franchised hotels and in Hyatt’s corporate offices around the world are eligible to apply.
The ultimate goal of the Hyatt Care Fund is to provide financial relief to as many impacted colleagues as possible. Initially, grants will be prioritized to colleagues who are currently working zero hours and not eligible for government assistance. Grants will provide compensation for needs ranging from rent payments to groceries or childcare assistance to utilities and other monthly payments.
The Hyatt Care Fund is launching with initial contributions by the Hyatt Hotels Foundation; salary reductions of Hyatt’s senior leadership team and board of directors; and donations from Pritzker family foundations.
Classic Hotels & Resorts
Classic Hotels & Resorts has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support employees that have been impacted by COVID-19. The owners of La Playa Carmel, Laguna Beach House, Hotel Carmel and The Inn at Laguna Beach in California, as well as Arizona Grand Resort & Spa and The Scott Resort & Spa in Arizona, had to furlough 80% of employees due to the impact of the pandemic.
With many of Classic’s employees now on unpaid leave, the goal is to reopen and rehire as soon as possible. In the meantime, the company is continuing to pursue all available government assistance programs. In every scenario, a shortfall exists, and they are trying to fill the gap.
All money raised by this GoFundMe will go towards Classic Hotels & Resorts’ Employee Relief Fund for groceries and other essential needs for furloughed employees.
