Hotel groups Rezidor and Wyndham Worldwide have been recognised in the annual list of the World’s Most Ethical Companies, published by the Ethisphere Institute.
The groups are the only hotel companies in the US think-tank’s 2010 top-100 list, which also includes coffee chain Starbucks and caterers Aramark and Sodexo from the hospitality sector.
Ethisphere claims its list recognises those companies that don’t just talk a good ethics game but actually put their words into action. It reviews nominations from companies in more than 100 countries and 36 industries in order to determine the winners.
Alex Brigham, executive director of the Ethisphere Institute, said: “Rezidor’s promotion of a sound ethical environment shines within its industry and shows a clear understanding that operating under the highest standards for business behaviour goes beyond goodwill and “lip-service” and is intimately linked to performance and profitability.”
Sustaining ethical practices
The methodology for the awards ranking includes reviewing codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories; evaluating the investment in innovation and sustainable business practices; looking at activities designed to improve corporate citizenship; and studying nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers.
Kurt Ritter, chief executive of Rezidor, which operates the Radisson Blu, Hotel Missoni, Country Inn and Park Inn brands, said: “We are very proud that our pledge to build a corporation on a solid ethical foundation has been recognised with a place on the 2010 World's Most Ethical Companies list.
“We believe the strength of a company starts with a deep commitment to ethics from the top and is sustained with an unwavering dedication to these same high standards from employees at every level."
Wyndham Worldwide announced last week plans to operate the £60m Wyndham Cardiff Hotel, which upon completion will become the tallest hotel in Wales. The group also operates the Ramada and Days Inn brands.