IHG Hotels & Resorts is channeling a portion of September room revenue at its three Fiji properties into a community meal program in Suva, reinforcing the group's broader sustainability and social-impact commitments. For every room night sold at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Grand Pacific Hotel Suva, and Holiday Inn Suva, the company will donate FJ$1 (approximately US$0.43) to The Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen.
The initiative, running throughout September, aligns with IHG's global Journey to Tomorrow plan and its annual Giving for Good campaign, which encourages hotels to engage with local communities. The donation will support the soup kitchen's daily meal service, which provides food to individuals experiencing homelessness and hardship in Fiji's capital.
Community-led hospitality
The Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen operates from the Sacred Heart Cathedral presbytery and is managed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Suva. Volunteers prepare and serve meals to some of the city's most vulnerable residents, offering not just nourishment but also a sense of dignity and care.
Lachlan Walker, Regional General Manager for Fiji and Pacific at IHG Hotels & Resorts, emphasized that hospitality extends beyond hotel walls. “At IHG, we believe hospitality extends beyond our hotel walls. Through our Giving for Good initiative, we are proud to support The Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen and the important work it does every day for people experiencing hardship in our community,” he said.
Bou Mawi, Chief Operations Officer of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Suva, expressed gratitude for the support, noting that each contribution is an act of faith and compassion, helping to serve street dwellers and vulnerable community members.
The campaign not only provides direct aid but also raises awareness of food security and cost-of-living pressures in Fiji. By linking guest stays with a local cause, IHG aims to encourage both travelers and residents to contribute to meaningful change.
This initiative reflects a growing trend among hotel groups to integrate community engagement into their operations. Similar efforts are visible across the region, such as community-first tourism models that prioritize local benefit, and niche travel destinations that emphasize sustainable practices.
For travel professionals, this move underscores the importance of aligning hotel operations with local social causes, a strategy that can enhance brand reputation and guest loyalty. As IHG continues to expand its footprint in the Pacific, initiatives like this may become a template for other operators seeking to demonstrate corporate responsibility.
