We believe that being active stewards of our environment and our communities makes good business sense. Through EarthView, Hersha is able to drive incremental value by implementing efficiency initiatives with measurable returns. This approach creates value via expense reduction in the short term and increased real estate valuation in the long term. Initiatives implemented as part of EarthView’s comprehensive program have, to date, achieved net savings of $20 million.

Our hotels are incentivized to implement EarthView as the program’s sustainability initiatives drive annual operational savings that help support hotels in meeting or exceeding budget goals. On average, implementing EarthView creates $40,000-$50,000 in annual savings per hotel.

Our sustainability commitment has been recognized by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT). EarthView has repeatedly been awarded the prestigious “Leader in the Light” award amongst Lodging & Resort companies for superior portfolio-wide energy use practices and sustainability initiatives. In 2020, Hersha ranked 1st among U.S. Lodging Peers in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark’s (GRESB) Public Disclosure.

$20 Million

EarthView’s recorded savings since inception through initiatives implemented across our portfolio

As a hotel company, we rely on nature’s resources to construct our buildings, fill them with heat and light, and transform ordinary buildings into extraordinary places to stay. Our hotels provide dining experiences, spas, engaging lobbies and a comfortable place for guests to relax at the end of the day. We strive to ensure that we provide the best experience to our guests, while also being responsible in regards to our environmental impact.

We are committed to operating in a way that enhances our communities and preserves our local and global environment. Putting this philosophy into practice means we focus on reducing our environmental impact and integrating sustainable innovation across our value chain.

As of year-end 2020, 34% of our hotels had been awarded a third-party building certification, such as LEED, EnergyStar, ISO 14001 (for environmental management), or ISO 50001 (for energy management) over the past five years.

15%

Reduction in energy consumption per square foot across our portfolio in 2019 versus our baseline year of 2010

44%

Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per square foot across our portfolio in 2019 versus our baseline year of 2010

30%

Waste diversion rate in 2019

5%

Reduction in water consumption per square foot across our portfolio in 2019 versus our baseline year of 2010

*Our progress towards our 2030 environmental targets remains expressed as 2019 metrics due to the material impact COVID-19 had on the lodging industry in 2020

Per the words of Hersha’s founders, there is no greater dignity than that found in service. “Hearts that Serve” is one of our core values and reflects our long tradition of social responsibility and community engagement. We believe that people are our strength. By putting people first, we are able to provide for our guests, support our associates, and have a strong presence in our communities to drive positive change on a local and global scale.

To support our associates, we facilitate comprehensive succession planning and leadership development trainings for rising managers, hold regular performance evaluations, and provide competitive compensation and numerous non-salary benefits.

On a local level, our strategy is to be located in urban markets in the US and work with local partnerships to revitalize the community. For instance, our Ritz-Carlton Georgetown is an adaptive reuse of a former vacant industrial building, our Envoy Hotel supported the revitalization of Seaport, MA, our NU Hotel supports the local art community in Brooklyn, and our Philadelphia hotels support the Bethesda Project, which serves the homeless and helps revitalize neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.

At Hersha, we are committed to providing an inclusive, safe, and open work environment.  To that end, our Chief Executive Officer recently signed the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion Pledge, joining other CEOs across all industries in committing to further enhance diversity and inclusion in the workplace and boardroom.

Meanwhile, our focus on communities is reflected in our support of national and global programs that help care for those in need. We are fortunate to be in a position to create both awareness and consciousness for our guests and associates on pressing issues, while also helping members of our global communities. Learn more about our #LetsDoGood campaign to help communities around the world gain access to life-sustaining water.

39%

of Hersha’s workforce identifies as female

24%

of Hersha’s workforce identifies as a member of a minority group

$596,000

Raised for Autism Awareness since 2015

26,000+

People provided with access to clean water for 21 years through funding of EarthView Water since 2015

20,200

Hours volunteered in our local communities since 2015

568,000

New bars of sanitized and repackaged soap sent to developing nations since 2011