Wednesday, August 28, 2024 Amid a rising tide of consumer interest in healthier and environmentally-friendly dining, key figures in China’s hospitality sector are making significant changes. Recently, major hotel chains, including InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Greater China, Dossen Hotel Group, and Orange Hotels, have unveiled bold plans to overhaul their food offerings. These industry giants are committed to ensuring that by 2025, a substantial portion of their menus—ranging from 30% to 70%—will consist of plant-based dishes.
This commitment reflects a broader shift towards sustainable practices in the hospitality industry, aiming to meet the evolving preferences of a more health-conscious customer base. As more consumers seek out plant-based options, these hotel groups are positioning themselves at the forefront of this movement, pledging to make a significant portion of their menus plant-centric. The ambitious goals set by these hotel chains will impact over 3,500 properties across China, marking a transformative period for the country’s hospitality landscape.
This initiative is not just a response to current consumer trends but a proactive step towards a more sustainable future in dining. By embracing plant-based menus, these hotels are aligning with global sustainability goals and addressing the growing concerns around environmental impact and personal health. The shift signifies a pivotal moment in how the hospitality industry in China is evolving to meet modern demands.
This transition towards more plant-based options in hotel dining is expected to resonate well with a diverse range of guests, from local patrons to international travelers who prioritize health and sustainability. The initiative is poised to set a new standard in the industry, encouraging other hotels to follow suit in adopting more sustainable practices. As these hotel groups implement their plant-based commitments, they are likely to influence the broader food and hospitality market in China, potentially sparking a widespread movement towards more eco-friendly dining solutions.
This shift is a testament to the growing importance of sustainability in business operations and the willingness of major industry players to lead the charge in this critical area. Overall, the move by IHG Greater China, Dossen Hotel Group, and Orange Hotels to significantly increase plant-based menu offerings by 2025 represents a forward-thinking approach to hospitality. It demonstrates their dedication to meeting consumer demand while also contributing to a healthier planet.
“We are excited to embark on this journey towards a more sustainable future,” said Jerome Qiu , Chief Operating Officer of IHG Hotels & Resorts Greater China, which in June became the first multinational brand to issue a plant-based food policy in the Chinese market. “Our target of making thirty percent of menu items plant-based by 2025 aligns with our core values of responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship. This also echoes our ‘Journey to Tomorrow’ ten-year plan.
By expanding our menu to include a diverse range of plant-based dishes, we aim to provide our guests with healthier, more environmentally friendly dining choices.” “The commitments from IHG, Dossen Hotel Group, and Huazhu Group to significantly increase their plant-based offerings is a sign of China’s hospitality industry’s new leadership role in advancing sustainable dietary habits,” said Cecilia Zhao , Sustainability Program Manager at Lever China, a Shanghai-based consulting company that worked with all three groups to help them develop and set their plant-based foods policies. “It’s encouraging to see such alignment with global sustainability goals and consumer health priorities.
” Shortly after IHG announced its commitment, the state-owned Dossen Hotel Group, which manages 2,000 hotels across China and is in the process of developing 1,500 more, took a pioneering step as the first domestic hotel chain to adopt a plant-based food policy. Dossen has pledged to convert 30% of its menu offerings to plant-based options across all its properties by 2025, signaling a significant shift in its approach to dining. This move by Dossen Hotel Group marks a critical milestone in the Chinese hospitality industry, showcasing their leadership in promoting sustainable and health-conscious dining.
By committing to this transformation, Dossen is setting a new standard for domestic hotel chains, reflecting a broader trend towards plant-based diets that is gaining momentum across the country. “Our goal of making 30% of our menu items plant-based by 2025 aligns with our core values of sustainable development and customer supremacy,” said Xinhua Cheng, founder and chairman of Dossen Group. “By upgrading our menus to include more delicious plant-based dishes, we provide healthier and more environmentally friendly dining options for our guests at Dossen Hotel Group.
” In August, Huazhu Group, a prominent publicly listed domestic company known for its diverse hotel brands, introduced its own plant-based food policy. To lead this initiative, the group has chosen Orange Hotels as the first brand to implement this ambitious goal, aiming to transform 70% of its menus to plant-based options by 2025 across more than 750 locations. This strategic move by Huazhu Group highlights its commitment to sustainability and health-focused dining.
By setting such an ambitious target for Orange Hotels, the group is positioning itself at the forefront of the plant-based movement within China’s hospitality sector, paving the way for a broader adoption of sustainable practices across its other brands. “We are pleased to be working towards China’s climate goals and consumers’ dietary health,” said Yaohui Yang, CEO of Orange Hotels. “Orange Hotels promotes the Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) brand concept and encourages everyone to embrace a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
Our goal of making 70% of our dishes plant-based by 2025 coincides with our values of sustainability and pursuit of innovation. By continuing to refine Orange Hotel’s menu with a focus on healthy sustainability, we are providing hotel guests with healthier, environmentally friendly dining options.” The enthusiastic adoption of plant-based dining by these major hotel groups is in direct response to shifting consumer trends.
A recent extensive survey conducted among thousands of Chinese consumers reveals a growing inclination towards plant-based diets. Nearly 90% of participants indicated their intention to increase their consumption of plant-based foods in the coming year, signaling a significant cultural shift in dietary preferences. Moreover, the survey highlights a strong consumer demand for more plant-based options in dining establishments.
A striking 85% of respondents expressed their expectation that hotels and restaurants should expand their plant-based offerings. This sentiment underscores the public’s recognition of the vital role that plant-based diets play in enhancing public health and supporting sustainable practices. The alignment between consumer expectations and the strategic initiatives of these hotel groups is noteworthy.
By committing to plant-based menu transformations, these hotels are not only meeting current consumer demands but also positioning themselves as leaders in the movement towards healthier and more sustainable dining. This proactive approach is set to resonate strongly with a growing segment of health-conscious and environmentally aware customers. As the trend towards plant-based diets continues to gain momentum, the efforts of these hotel groups are likely to influence the broader hospitality industry in China.
Their commitment to expanding plant-based options is a clear response to consumer desires and a forward-looking strategy that could redefine dining standards across the country..
