Solution 2: Community event framework for hotels
In many urban neighbourhoods, hotels are still seen primarily as spaces for visitors rather than as part of everyday local life. At the same time, tourism pressure has weakened residents’ sense of belonging and reduced opportunities for informal social connection. This framework introduces a practical and inclusive approach that helps hotels open their doors to the neighbourhood and create welcoming moments where residents can meet, connect, and feel at home.
The approach
Our approach is built around a practical Community Event Framework that helps hotels organise informal, recurring neighbourhood gatherings that strengthen residents’ sense of belonging and transform hotels into accessible community meeting places. The framework is designed to be realistic and easy to apply in everyday hotel operations and is structured around five interconnected phases that guide hotels from internal readiness and neighbourhood listening, through inclusive event design and local collaboration, towards long-term continuity and trust-building. In addition, the framework actively works with local caterers who have indicated their willingness to collaborate. These local food partners help create a warm, informal atmosphere and lower social barriers, making the events feel familiar, welcoming, and rooted in the neighbourhood rather than in tourism.
5 phases
The framework is built around five interconnected phases that guide hotels step by step in creating meaningful neighbourhood events. The first phase focuses on organisational readiness, ensuring that the hotel is internally aligned and committed to engaging with the local community. The second phase centres on neighbourhood sensitivity and listening, where hotels take time to understand residents’ needs, rhythms, and preferences before designing any event.
The third phase is about accessibility and inclusive design, making sure that events are informal, low-threshold, and clearly communicated as open to local residents. The fourth phase emphasises local connection and collaboration, working with neighbourhood partners such as local caterers to create authentic and welcoming experiences. The fifth and final phase focuses on continuity, reflection, and trust-building, recognising that a sense of belonging grows through repetition, feedback, and long-term presence rather than one-off initiatives.
Ideal outcome
The ideal outcome is that hotels become familiar and trusted meeting places within their neighbourhoods, where residents feel welcome to enter, stay, and connect with one another. Through informal, recurring community events, hotels shift from being perceived as tourist-only spaces to becoming shared social environments that strengthen local connection and belonging. Over time, this creates stronger relationships between hotels and residents, supports neighbourhood wellbeing, and positions hospitality as an active contributor to community life rather than a detached commercial presence.
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