Operations
Yet Kihlgren still faces one obstacle: tourism. In a cruel, paradoxical twist, the very thing that makes his philanthropy possible might also risk destroying the preservation of heritage and local identity that Sextantio have worked so hard for. “In general,” Kihlgren notes, “tourism is dangerous for identity, so our path it’s very tough.” Therefore, in its initial phase, the Capanne Project consists of only two huts. It is more expensive to do it this way, Kihlgren admits, but with just two lodges the number of visitors to the island will be limited so that organisers can properly monitor the effects of tourism over time. And though Kihlgren is unwilling to be prescriptive – he firmly believes that it is not his place to tell either locals or visitors how to behave – he also recognises some responsibility and treats each of his projects as a work in progress; an experiment that can, and should, be tweaked to suit the needs of the local community. Philanthropy, charity and the creation of crisis funds are all for the good – but can hotels really make a difference in a business-obsessed world? Poirson is unequivocal: “Absolutely,” he says. “It is important to us that we play a major role in social elevation by providing training, mentoring and development opportunities for people from diverse and underprivileged backgrounds.” Why? Because, as Poirson says, “hospitality is all about people” – and when people are at the heart of what you do, looking out for them must be the top priority.
Traditional huts were a key inspiration for the Capanne Project, Kilhgren’s non-profit restoration on Nkombo Island, Rwanda.
professionals and vulnerable people,” Poirson says. “As of today, €31m has already been allocated to fund more than 100,000 requests worldwide.” And it doesn’t stop there. “It will remain a long-term project,” Poirson confirms. “The fund will continue to support employees in difficulty through the consequences of Covid-19 for as long as they need.”
Business and philanthropy: A delicate balance
For all the commendable, charitable ambition of groups like Sextantio and Accor, the question is: can entrepreneurship and philanthropy really coexist? Kihlgren believes that they can – but only in the right doses. Though reluctant to call himself an entrepreneur – in our conversation he is more likely to cite Karl Marx and David Hume than Conrad Hilton or Bill Marriott – Kihlgren admits that any vision requires entrepreneurial pragmatism to get it off the ground. “I think the idea is one thing,” he concedes, “but without good management skill, it will die.” And it is this that makes Sextantio so unique: business is necessary, but the vision is paramount – and Kihlgren is uncompromising about achieving that vision, from something as small as the weave of a blanket to something as large as the provision of healthcare.
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But Accor is also wary about the negative impacts of tourism – which is why sustainability will be the driving force going forward. “The growing importance of sustainable travel has been accelerated by the Covid crisis,” Poirson explains, “and people are seeking a responsible way of enjoying travel while reducing their carbon footprint and positively contributing to the communities they are visiting. “We are the first international hotel group to make a long-term commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 [and] we believe that through environmental, social and societal engagement, Accor can become a net-positive company which leads the way towards a net-positive tourism.”
In the end, finding a balanced model of sustainable tourism is the key to the success of charitable endeavours like these. In an imperfect world, philanthropy must rest on the shoulders of entrepreneurial giants – and if they can walk the tightrope successfully between profit and charity, preservation and rejuvenation, hospitality and care, then perhaps they really can make a positive difference. “It is very hard to say what is wrong and what is right,” Kihlgren admits. “And of course, I don’t claim to know. I have many doubts, like all sane people should have, about changing society. But it is a work in progress. We will see.” ●
Hotel Management International /
www.hmi-online.com
Sextantio
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