Corporate social responsibility (CSR) not only benefits society; as the key to enterprise sustainability, it benefits the enterprise itself. That is why Interstate China Hotels & Resorts, a company that manages hotel operations for world-leading hospitality brands, emphasizes good corporate citizenship at all properties it manages. The company furthermore insists that CSR, like they say about love, is a commitment that requires long-term investment.

CSR initiatives that Interstate China Hotels & Resorts is promoting at its client properties are having significant positive impact on local communities across China, the following being just a few examples.

Jin Jiang International Hotel Urumqi

Soon after its opening, the Jin Jiang International Hotel Urumqi, one of the city's top luxury hotels, cooperated with two local vocational colleges to recruit a good number of Xinjiang locals. It did this because it is the right thing to do, and because the hotel’s own development is linked to the economic and social development of Xinjiang province.

Among the hotel’s many local hires, one case is especially interesting. In 2005 a 21-year-old young man from a remote village in Xinjiang was working on the construction site of the hotel. On his second day on the job he received a call from his wife, who told him his child had become seriously ill and that money was desperately needed for his treatment. The young man, Suri Yiming Abduh, summoned up his courage before timidly asking the hotel’s director Mr. Xu to lend him RMB 500. Upon learning his situation, Mr. Xu immediately gave him RMB1,500 and urged him to have his child sent to the hospital as soon as possible. After the completion of the construction project, Abduh expressed desire to work at the hotel. He now holds a management position at the property.

According to Kent Xia, Executive Vice President of Interstate China Hotels & Resorts, the idea that CSR is like love is not just a concept but also an important approach of enterprise management. “Employees motivated by a loving heart work more efficiently, and this is something that cannot be bought or bulk-copied,” said Kent Xia.

Double Tree by Hilton Shanghai - Pudong

Taxi drivers rolling up to the Double Tree by Hilton Shanghai - Pudong were recently baffled when hotel staff greeted them with cookies and smiles. The "Cookie Care" campaign, as it was called, provided an uplifting surprise to dozens of Shanghai's hardworking cabbies. Like all hotels in the city, Double Tree by Hilton Shanghai - Pudong trusts the city's taxi drivers to provide safe, timely and pleasant transportation for many of its guests, and the cookies were a small thank you for the crucial service they provide.

Double Tree by Hilton Shanghai - Pudong also recently organized an "Earth Hour" activity to promote environmental awareness. As part of the event, the hotel turned off all unnecessary lighting, and invited 20 children to learn about “green development” and the importance of caring for our common habitat.

Wuhan Jin Jiang International Hotel

There are few things one can give that better demonstrate caring than one's own blood, and that is precisely what staff at Wuhan Jin Jiang International Hotel gave to local hospitals on 28 March 2014. A property that frequently engages in public welfare activities, the hotel initiated a blood donation campaign that was led by its general manager, Mr. Patrick Lau, who encouraged employees from all departments to participate.

“The activity is very meaningful,” said one employee. “I feel glad to be able to help others in need.” After a short rest, he and his colleagues returned to their respective posts.

The above are just a few examples of recent CSR initiatives at properties managed by Interstate China Hotels & Resorts. Although they are limited in scale, such efforts are significant because CSR commitments, like love, are not fulfilled in a single day, but through years of dedication and perseverance.

Kent Xia, Executive Vice President of Interstate China Hotels & Resorts, puts it this way: "Each time we perform an act that demonstrates love and caring towards society, the environment, customers or employees, we are carrying out our corporate social responsibility commitment. The result of such actions, ultimately, is a healthier, more sustainable enterprise."

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About Interstate China Hotels & Resorts

Interstate China Hotels & Resorts was incorporated in 2010, and is the subsidiary of a joint venture between US-based Thayer Lodging Group (owner of Interstate Hotels) and China’s Jin Jiang International Hotels. Interstate China is the first international third-party hotel management company in China and is engaged in four key areas of the hospitality sector: third-party hotel management and operation, hotel construction and consulting services, hotel real estate investment, and hotel company development. Interstate China’s flagship property will be the Shanghai Tower J Hotel, which will open in 2015 on the upper floors of the 632-metre Shanghai Tower. Interstate China also owns, manages and operates internationally branded, boutique and independent hotels in Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Wuhan, Changsha, Urumqi, Nantong, Yushan, Changzhou and Inner Mongolia.

About Jin Jiang International Group

Based in Shanghai, Jin Jiang International Group is one of the largest comprehensive tourism enterprises in the PRC, which is principally engaged in hotel operation and investment, travel services and related transportation services, along with active participation in real estates, trading and financial sectors. As the core business of Jin Jiang International Group, Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels (Group) Company Limited ("Jin Jiang Hotels") has a total of 1,566 hotels under its ownership or operation globally, providing over 2,350 million rooms in aggregate. Among them, 1,190 hotels are located in China, covering approximately 280 cities in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. Jin Jiang Hotels operates a series of hotel brands, including the new premium "J" brand, its luxurious five-star brands catering to elite business persons, its modern and stylish brands geared to business travelers, and its historical and classic brands. It was ranked the 9th among hotel operators in the world in terms of room numbers.


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