Hyatt Announces Hyatt Loves Local Initiative in Support of Local Small Businesses

KOCHI:
Driven by Hyatt’s purpose to care for people so they can be their best, Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announces today the Hyatt Loves Local initiative, a global effort by Hyatt hotels to uplift and collaborate with small businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 60 Hyatt hotels and resorts in destinations across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East are providing complimentary resources and exposure to select local businesses that have struggled during the pandemic. In turn, these businesses are able to continue operating in different ways and offer Hyatt guests distinct and enriching experiences that foster a meaningful connection to the destination’s local community.

In this new travel landscape, Hyatt remains committed to reimagining the hotel experience – going beyond cleanliness to consider the entire hotel journey. Guided by creativity and care, Hyatt’s path forward is about reigniting the joy of travel. Hyatt Loves Local enriches the travel experience and helps strengthen local communities during this unprecedented time.

“By always listening to our guests, members and colleagues, we understand their strong desire to not only experience the Hyatt hotels’ destinations but also to have the opportunity to support local communities,” said Amy Weinberg, senior vice president, brand loyalty, brand marketing and consumer insights, Hyatt. “We have been caring for the communities in which Hyatt hotels operate for more than 60 years, and we are proud so many Hyatt hotels around the world are finding new, creative ways to lift up beloved local businesses in this time of need through Hyatt Loves Local.”

From culinary and wellness to fashion and art, Hyatt Loves Local community collaborations span a variety of industries and are taking place at Hyatt properties now and rolling out through the fall. Further, as part of Hyatt’s Change Starts Here commitment to foster inclusivity and achieve equality together, many Hyatt Loves Local collaborations are with minority-owned businesses, which are more likely to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

A few ways Hyatt hotels are embracing Hyatt Loves Local across India. include:
• Fresh from the Farm: Andaz Delhi has committed to sourcing local produce from certified organic and sustainable producer, Tijara Organic Farms. A decrease in commercial clients like hotels and restaurants at the beginning of the pandemic left the team at Tijara struggling to pay its farmers. Andaz Delhi launched this ongoing collaboration to help Tijara rebuild its business while staying true to the hotel’s sustainable ethos. Their produce will also be available for purchase at the property’s mini market.

• Nurturing Local Produce for Queen of the Deccan: Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences tapped innovative, Pune-based farm The Indian Organics to supply produce for a weekly on-property farmers’ market, as well as for the European-, Mediterranean- and Indian-inspired menu at in-house restaurant Zeta. The Indian Organics was formed as an answer to losses faced by farmers in the Nashik and Pune districts due to the pandemic. Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences aims to support The Indian Organics as it reaches out more restaurants and customers for subscriptions. Launched in October 2020, the weekly farmers market will be available to guests through March 2021. See images HERE, and more details regarding the collaboration HERE.

• Empowering Women in the Land of Gods: Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty is collaborating with representatives from Kerala government-run female-empowerment mission Kudumbashree, which counts for five million members. To provide these women with a platform, Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty has invited the representatives to weekly Sunday brunches to reach new customers as well as to offer guests access to indigenous products made by women across the district. Launched in November, the brunches will be ongoing on Sundays from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. through the end of the year. For more details regarding the collaboration HERE

• Spreading the Joy of Creativity in Millennium City: Hyatt Regency Gurgaon is collaborating with local artist and multidisciplinary designer Maneesha Ahlawat to exhibit her art in the hotel lobby. An effort to support an independent female artist, Maneesha’s exhibition is open for viewing and purchase every weekend from 3-7 p.m. Call +91 124 502 1234 for more details regarding the collaboration.

• Celebrating Art and Fashion in the City of Dreams:
Hyatt Regency Mumbai is collaborating with Rajat Mittra, to provide his company Asian Art House with a platform to showcase the talent of upcoming local Indian artists and their paintings. Due to the pandemic, local artists have seen sales of their paintings get adversely impacted. This collaboration also offers guests access to the varied styles of beautiful Indian Art. The exhibition will be hosted in February 2021 at on-property restaurant, Glasshouse. Call +91 22 66 961234 for more information on the collaboration.

Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel and Residences has committed to a series of markets with Ms. Iishita Khanna, the curator of pop-up flea markets in Mumbai. Scheduled in January 2021, the market will consist of pop-up stalls offering guests an array of local artifacts, garments, jewelry and accessories, as well as providing local vendors with access to customers. Call 91 22 6676 1234 for more information regarding the collaboration.

• Promoting Sustainability in the land of Poorams: Hyatt Regency Thrissur is working with curated travel company The Blue Yonder on an artisan exhibition to support the River Nila Project – an initiative aimed at preserving the deteriorating River Nila in Kerala, India. Hyatt Regency Thrissur has invited artisans indigenous to the region to sell local products at an ongoing market, with the goal of bringing financial prosperity to the community. Launched on November 1, 2020, this collaboration will continue till March 2021. Please call +91 487 270 1234 for more details on the collaboration.

• Tea Tales in the City of Joy: In August 2020, Hyatt Regency Kolkata teamed up with organic, carbon-neutral, single-estate tea brand, T-Tales, to provide beautiful, fresh teas in all guestrooms and on-property food and beverage venues. Additionally, the property is hosting evening tea tasting rituals in the lobby, starting November 1, 2020 till February 2021, everyday 5-6 p.m. During the lockdown, tea estates like Jalinga were closed for months which resulted in a decrease in tea production (and available work) in the country’s North-East region. This commitment not only ensures continued sales for T-Tales, but also engages and educates guests on the history and importance of Indian tea.

• Fashion in the Culture City: Hyatt Regency Chennai has collaborated with local, minimalist men’s and women’s fashion designer Vivek Karunakaran (VK) to create a special and safe shopping experience for guests and locals. Due to a decline in business as a result of the pandemic, VK’s flagship store got closed and the brand had to downsize its team by 75%. This collaboration aims to help the brand survive and thrive through these unprecedented times, while offering guests exclusive access to the work of one of Chennai’s top designers. Launched on September 1, 2020, the pop-up store will be ongoing through December 2021.

“Associating with Kudumbashree as part of the campaign is truly in line with Hyatt’s purpose of care. The women volunteers have been redefining women empowerment by rolling out various products and services. Such campaigns and engagement with natives have brought the hotel closer to the community. Their products during our Sunday brunches have been offering our guests and locals unique experiences,” said Shrikant Wakharkar, General Manager, Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty.

“The future of our business is emboldened by the presence of global brands and noble initiatives such as the Hyatt Loves Local campaign. Grand Hyatt Kochi has been associated with the Kudumbashree Mission to showcase various indigenous products developed and marketed by the women in several units. In the current situation, the platform has proved to be a great support and together we will actively promote sustainable products and practices,” said S. Harikishore, Executive Director, Kudumbashree.

Hyatt Loves Local collaborations at Hyatt properties around the world include Andaz Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi’s work with International Artists Management (iAM) to commission four local artists for pop-up shows in the hotel’s gallery through November, Park Hyatt Vienna’s collaboration with specialty food and wine retailer Kate & Kon for a winter pop-up shop and champagne lounge on the hotel’s terrace from December through February 2021, and Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen’s weekly “Mini Market” showcasing works from local artisans like hat-maker Equinoxio, taking place every Friday since July through the end of the year.