Social Impact Award 2024
Artiem Hotels: a social commitment that transforms stays into real aid
"Our purpose as a company is to inspire people to be happy and nothing makes people happier than helping others."
- Willy Díaz, Commercial and Operations Director of Artiem Hotels
Born in the midst of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Solidarity Room is a very special Artiem Hotels project. Winner of the Traveling for Happiness 2024 awards in the Social Impact category, is the perfect example of how a small gesture can make a big change. At this point, those of us who know the brand are not surprised by its commitment to social wellbeing and its aim to inspire people to be happy, as since its inception they have sought to be a business model that integrates social responsibility and sustainability.
According to the Commercial and Operations Director of Artiem Hotels, Willy Díaz , "our purpose as a company is to inspire people to be happy and nothing makes people happier than helping others. That's where the idea was born, when in the worst moments of the pandemic we had our hotels closed and the hunger lines at the Caritas canteens were growing". So when the time came to reopen its doors, Artiem decided that its return would also represent tangible support for the most affected communities.
A sustainable and emotional impact model
Solidarity Room is much more than a simple donation. The way it works is simple: Artiem reserves a room in each of its hotels, the proceeds of which go entirely to Caritas. This allows guests to choose this option in their reservation, knowing that the cost of their stay will contribute directly to a social cause. According to Díaz, "the client is consciously booking a room with a social impact and knows what is going to happen with their money". In addition to being an accessible way to get guests to contribute, it also creates a connection between customers and the company.
Solidarity Room has become a symbol of what Artiem calls sustainable prosperity. It is not charity, but a mutually beneficial relationship in which both guests and employees feel part of a project that generates a positive impact. As Willy Díaz comments, "the client feels good because he knows he is helping while at the same time connecting with our company and our values, helping us to be better ourselves".
Integrating this proposal within the standard hotel offer has been a success for Artiem. Solidarity Room is part of the overall experience for guests, who can choose this option as an additional room category on the hotel's website. According to the Commercial and Operations Director, "the client who stays in it is the one who has chosen to have his or her money generate a positive social impact." This model has enabled the company to raise a significant amount: since its inception, the initiative has raised more than 247,000 euros to feed families in vulnerable situations.
This economic impact is accompanied by an emotional experience for guests, who return home feeling that they are part of something greater. In this way, Artiem' s social responsibility proposal becomes a competitive advantage, reinforcing both the relationship with its customers and the commitment of its employees.
The room with a view to a better world. Photo: ARTIEM HOTELS
Long-term sustainability: beyond philanthropy
One of the key elements of the success of Habitación Solidaria is its focus on long-term sustainability. The company has developed the project in a way that makes it viable in difficult times, ensuring its continuity beyond economic circumstances. This is essential in an industry such as the hotel industry, where profitability and social commitment often seem to clash. However, Artiem has managed to demonstrate that the two can coexist and mutually strengthen each other.
Díaz describes this philosophy as a step towards sustainable prosperity, where the project generates profits through continuous social investment. "Even though we allocate 100% of the money to Caritas, we achieve emotional bonding with our clients, as well as teams of people who are committed," he says. This model makes it possible to keep the project active, reinforcing the company's identity and values, ensuring that the positive impact remains over time.
For Artiem, Habitación Solidaria is a manifestation of its business vision: an approach to hospitality that goes beyond comfort and luxury, integrating a genuine commitment to the environment and society. As Artiem's Commercial and Operations Director concludes, "the strategy of positively impacting our social, environmental and economic surroundings helps us to create sustainable competitive advantages".
In a constantly evolving industry, Artiem Hotels stands out by incorporating values such as sustainability and social responsibility at the core of its business model. Solidarity Room is a reminder that small gestures can have a big impact and that tourism can be a vehicle of transformation for those who travel, as well as for the communities that host them. With this initiative, Artiem manages to inspire its guests to be happy and allows them to contribute to the well-being of others, consolidating itself as an example of purposeful tourism.
In a constantly evolving industry, Artiem Hotels stands out by incorporating values such as sustainability and social responsibility at the core of its business model. Photo: ARTIEM HOTELS