IHG Launches Industry-First 'Low Carbon Pioneers' Programme

IHG Launches Industry-First 'Low Carbon Pioneers' Programme

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 23, 2024

IHG Hotels & Resorts, a global leader in hospitality, has announced the launch of its groundbreaking Low Carbon Pioneers programme. This initiative brings together a group of energy-efficient hotels that operate without combusting fossil fuels on-site and are supported by renewable energy sources. This marks the first community of its kind in the hospitality industry, aimed at testing, learning, and sharing sustainability practices to inspire broader adoption of carbon reduction measures.

Initial Low Carbon Pioneer Hotels

The initial Low Carbon Pioneer hotels include:

  • Holiday Inn Express Madrid Airport, Spain

  • Iberostar Waves Cristina, Spain

  • Kimpton BEM Budapest, Hungary

These hotels feature sustainable solutions such as high-efficiency heat pumps for heating and hot water generation, as well as fully electric kitchens. Each property holds an operational sustainability certification recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, such as Green Key, or a sustainable building certification like LEED, BREEAM, or EDGE. Energy data for these hotels will be tracked and measured using IHG’s Green Engage environmental platform.

Expansion and Future Plans

IHG plans to expand the Low Carbon Pioneers programme across all regions, developing a "low-carbon ready" group of hotels in preparation for broader renewable energy availability. The full criteria for a Low Carbon Pioneer hotel can be found here. 

image

CEO's Call to Action

Elie Maalouf, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts, expressed excitement about the launch, emphasizing its role in meeting evolving guest expectations, helping hotel owners future-proof their businesses, and reducing carbon emissions across IHG’s estate. He stressed the need for broader government support to accelerate industry-wide change, including increased access to renewable energy, incentives for owners, and reduced costs for green technology.

“This is an important next step in IHG’s sustainability journey, but it remains one of many we must continue to take. Accelerating change at scale for both IHG and the wider industry also requires broader support from governments ranging from greater access to renewable energy and incentives for owners, to a reduction in the cost of technology that speeds up the industry’s transition to a greener, more resilient future. IHG is committed to working with industry bodies and governments to help achieve this, alongside encouraging more owners to adopt carbon reduction practices and become Low Carbon Pioneers,” said Maalouf.

Future-Proofing Properties

The Low Carbon Pioneers programme aims to future-proof IHG’s properties, providing potential benefits such as better alignment with environmental regulations and access to green finance for new projects. These hotels will be marketed as low carbon or low carbon ready across IHG’s booking channels, appealing to guests seeking sustainable stays and corporate clients with net-zero or carbon-neutral targets.

Leading the Way in Sustainability

IHG is committed to reducing carbon emissions through its Journey to Tomorrow responsible business plan. The company continues to develop solutions to measure, manage, and minimize the environmental impact of its hotels, from energy conservation measures to sourcing renewable energy and installing EV chargers. The Low Carbon Pioneers programme builds on IHG’s history of creating ambitious and innovative sustainability solutions, such as replacing bathroom miniatures with bulk amenities and providing properties with renewable energy through a community solar programme in the US. IHG is now setting a new benchmark for reducing operational carbon in the hospitality industry.


Radisson Hotel Group Launches AI-Powered Real-Time Hotel Price Matching Technology

Radisson Hotel Group Launches AI-Powered Real-Time Hotel Price Matching Technology

By Hariharan U

Published on July 5, 2026

Radisson Hotel Group has launched a new AI-powered real-time price matching technology, aimed at transforming the way guests book directly through hotel websites and strengthening transparency in hotel pricing.

The system automatically identifies lower publicly available rates for Radisson properties listed on third-party platforms such as OTAs and search engines, and instantly matches those prices on RadissonHotels.com. This removes the need for manual claims, screenshots, or approval processes that are typically required under traditional best rate guarantee programs.

Unlike conventional models, the new system operates in real time. When a lower rate is detected on platforms including Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, Trip.com, and others, the AI engine verifies the pricing difference and automatically applies the matched rate, redirecting users directly to the hotel’s booking platform.

According to Gianni Di Fede, Global Chief Commercial Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, modern travellers expect speed, simplicity, and confidence when booking. He noted that the new feature ensures guests always receive the best available price when booking directly with Radisson.

For guests, the system eliminates uncertainty around pricing and simplifies the booking journey. For hotel teams, it reduces administrative workload associated with manual price match requests and allows staff to focus more on guest service and operational efficiency. The tool also provides better visibility into pricing trends and booking behaviour.

The AI-powered price matching feature is now live across all Radisson Hotel Group properties worldwide, marking a significant step in the company’s digital transformation strategy.

The initiative forms part of Radisson’s broader push toward automation and AI-driven solutions aimed at improving direct bookings, enhancing transparency, and creating a more seamless digital experience for travellers. By replacing traditional reactive pricing guarantees with a fully automated system, Radisson is positioning itself at the forefront of hospitality technology innovation.


Radisson Hotel Group Launches App-Only Rates Across Hotels in India

Radisson Hotel Group Launches App-Only Rates Across Hotels in India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 4, 2026

Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) has introduced App-Only Rates across its portfolio of hotels in India, giving travellers access to exclusive savings when they book through the Radisson Hotels mobile application. The new initiative is designed to make direct bookings more rewarding while offering guests a smoother and more personalised booking experience.

With the launch of App-Only Rates, guests booking through the mobile app can enjoy up to 10% additional savings over existing public rates. The move is part of RHG's strategy to encourage direct bookings while enhancing the overall guest journey through digital innovation.

Members of Radisson Rewards can unlock even more benefits, including member-only discounts, personalised offers, and exclusive promotions. By combining App-Only Rates with membership benefits, eligible guests can enjoy savings of up to 23%, along with tailored offers and exclusive experiences.

The Radisson Hotels mobile app allows travellers to browse hotels, book stays, manage reservations, explore hotel facilities, and access member benefits from a single platform. Whether travelling for business, a family holiday, or a weekend getaway, guests can enjoy a convenient booking experience from reservation to check-out.

Commenting on the launch, Nikhil Sharma, MD & COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, "At Radisson Hotel Group, we are constantly looking for ways to create greater value for our guests. The introduction of App-Only Rates in India reflects our aim to enhance the guest experience through digital innovation, rewarding loyalty, and offering exclusive benefits that make every stay even more rewarding. We remain focused on delivering a seamless and personalized experience for travelers at every touchpoint."

The introduction of App-Only Rates forms part of the group's broader digital strategy to strengthen customer engagement, increase direct bookings, and provide greater value through its own platforms. The offers are now available across participating Radisson Hotel Group properties in India through the Radisson Hotels mobile application.

Radisson Hotel Group currently has more than 200 hotels in operation and development across India, making it one of the country's largest international hotel operators. The group also maintains the largest presence among international hotel brands in Delhi NCR, while more than half of its portfolio is spread across tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Its portfolio in India includes brands such as Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Inn by Radisson, Park Plaza, Radisson Individuals, and Radisson Individuals Retreats, catering to a wide range of business and leisure travellers.


District by Zomato Introduces Splitpay for Hassle-Free Group Dining

District by Zomato Introduces Splitpay for Hassle-Free Group Dining

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 13, 2026

District by Zomato has announced the launch of Splitpay, a new feature designed to make group dining payments simpler and more convenient. Available within the District app, the feature allows diners to instantly split restaurant bills and pay their exact share at the table, removing the need for post-meal transfers, reminders, and payment follow-ups.

The feature addresses a common challenge faced during group outings, where one person typically pays the entire bill and waits to be reimbursed by others later. With Splitpay, users can enter the total bill amount, choose the number of people in the group, and divide the bill equally or customise individual shares directly within the app. Each diner can then complete their payment in just a few taps.

District by Zomato says the feature is aimed at making dining experiences smoother by eliminating the need to calculate dues, share payment screenshots, or chase friends for settlements after a meal. Since all payments happen within the app, users do not need to exchange payment details with one another.

Adding to the benefit, every diner receives cashback on their individual share of the bill, ensuring that rewards are not limited to the person who makes the full payment.

Commenting on the launch, Rahul Ganjoo, CEO, District by Zomato, said, "A meal out belongs to the whole table, but it has always ended with the least social moment: one person paying and everyone else doing maths. It's something we noticed at restaurant tables, on social media, and in conversations with our users, so we built Splitpay to fix it. It's one more step in the same direction we've been moving all along: taking the effort out of every stage of going out, so the only thing people take home is the experience itself."

To support the launch, District has unveiled a campaign film featuring veteran actors Boman Irani and Anupam Kher. The film captures a familiar dining situation where friends compete to pay the bill at the end of a meal. What begins as a polite attempt to settle the bill quickly turns into a humorous struggle, eventually reaching a comic peak when Anupam Kher stuffs the bill into his mouth to prevent his friend from paying.

While the campaign highlights a well-known social habit through humour, it also showcases how Splitpay offers a practical alternative by allowing everyone at the table to pay their own share instantly and receive cashback in return.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.