Awareness is growing amongst accommodation providers of their need for to get involved with community development projects in order to prove their progressive credentials.  One huge plus about eco-lodges and eco-hotels setting up and running community development projects is that they have both their own local knowledge of local problems and issues, but they are also part of the wider local community so they can get involved in development in a more precise grass-roots way, than perhaps an NGO who would be starting from scratch, without that local knowledge.  Accommodation providers can also bring guests who care about community development and show them how the work of the projects are actually helping to improve the lives of local people.  Also the accommodation providers can ensure the continuity of a project, so the benefits are maintained and it doesn't fail after a few years.  

Independent Accommodation Providers

One of the leading areas of community development projects being run by responsible accommodation providers is in Africa, especially in the countries which have a tourism sector that is geared up towards bush safaris.  Often the location of the safari lodges are close to villages which need additional schools, water provision sponsorship for children to progress past primary education.  A perfect of a progressive accommodation provider that is creaing a better future for the surround community is the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve which has created its own foundation, the work that is does includes agricultural training to local women as well as working for the creation and maintenance of local sporting facilities for local people.  

Chain Hotels

In case of larger companies and particularly with hotels chains "Corporate Social Responsibility" is a catch all term for the many different benevolent elements a company may have.  The Kimpton hotel chain based in the US are a prime example of how to develop a holistic approach to Corporate Social Responsibility and as a result they have become involved with a number of different programs, related to the environment, socially progressive practises within their hotels and charities which they contribute to and encourage their guests to make contributions to.  They make donations on behalf of their guests to The Trust for Public Land they also support AIDS charities and a community focused charity called Dress for Success, where underprivileged women are provided with a grant for business clothes which will help them gain employment.