The Leela Palace Bengaluru Announced as ‘Education Winner’ of the 8th GIFTTS Initiative
by EVENTFAQS Bureau Industry Watch | September 15, 2017 | News
Leela Palace Preferred Hotels & Resorts GIFTTS
Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, has announced the winners of its 2016 GIFTTS (Great Initiatives for Today’s [Tomorrow’s] Society) program: Rosen Hotels & Resorts, Pebble Beach Resorts, The Leela Palace Bengaluru, Casa Dorada Los Cabos, NJV Athens Plaza, and Royal Lancaster London. The brand received 83 hotel submissions, the most-ever nominations for its annual GIFTTS Pineapple Awards, which recognizes member hotels that take the meaning of genuine hospitality beyond their front doors by showcasing an outstanding commitment to philanthropy, sustainability, education and community.
The Leela Palace Bengaluru, the ‘Education Winner’ of GIFTTS program, is the only Indian hotel to win.
“As travel has become more accessible, it has become an essential, significant priority for hoteliers to incorporate initiatives that minimize environmental impact, support their local community, and preserve these destinations for future generations,” said Lindsey Ueberroth, President & CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “We are honoured to recognize these socially responsible member hotels for exemplifying the ways that the hospitality industry can make a true impact, both inside and beyond their property walls.”
Supporting its ongoing commitment to providing education opportunities for the economically underprivileged, The Leela Palace Bengaluru has sponsored a government-run school for the past 15 years, offering meals, school books, bags, uniforms, education, and overall maintenance and directly impacting more than 1,000 students each year. Beyond the classroom, in 2016, the hotel trained five disabled children and offered them employment at the hotel. The Leela Palace Bengaluru is also a proud supporter of the Cuddles Foundation, which provides nutrition for children fighting cancer.
Through Sense India, The Leela Palace Bengaluru supports and advocates for better services for deafblind children and adults across India and partner with NGOs and the government to provide them with care and education. The Leela Palace Bengaluru hosted a fund-raising dinner for 300 guests pro bono.
Through its inclusion and diversity program, the Leela Palace Bengaluru has adopted and trained five specially abled individuals from The Spastics Society and offered them employment since 2009.
The program by Preferred Hotels & Resorts recognizes hotels and resorts with outstanding corporate social responsibility efforts.