AHLA Partners With IncentiFind to Identify Sustainability-Related Savings for Owners, Operators
AHLA | October 30, 2023
SH Hotels & Resorts to Open First U.S. Treehouse Hotel in Sunnyvale, California
Treehouse Hotels | September 26, 2022
Sustainability
IHG Hotels & Resorts Launches Industry First ‘Low Carbon Pioneers’ Programme as CEO Calls for Broader Support From Governments to Accelerate
IHG | July 17, 2024
London (17thJuly 2024) IHG Hotels & Resorts, a global leader in hospitality, today announces the launch of its Low Carbon Pioneers programme, which brings together energy efficient hotels that have no fossil fuels combusted on-site* and are backed by renewable energy. This group of low operational carbon hotels is the first community of its kind in the industry and will help IHG test, learn and share findings on sustainability measures. The ambition is to inspire other properties to join the programme and also help encourage wider adoption of carbon reduction practices across IHG’s estate. The first Low Carbon Pioneer hotels span di...
Overtourism: How To Avoid It for Better Travel Experiences
EHL Insights | July 15, 2024
As the summer travel season kicks into high gear, the specter of overtourism looms large over many of the world’s most beloved destinations. In an interview with two EHL researchers and experts on the topic, we explored the multifaceted issue of overtourism and how savvy travelers can avoid the pitfalls of overcrowded hotspots by traveling during shoulder seasons, staying overnight and discovering destination dupes. Crowded beaches, congested streets and long queues at tourist attractions – these are all unfortunately familiar sightings when traveling to popular places. Even though the prices for flight tickets, hotels and trips ove...
Marriott International Highlights ESG Progress in Annual Serve 360 Report
Marriott International | July 10, 2024
Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) (“Marriott”) today released its 2024 Serve 360 Report highlighting the company’s global Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) efforts and progress toward its 2025 Sustainability and Social Impact Goals. The Report reflects data for the calendar year ended December 31, 2023. The Report can be accessed here. This year, the Report features an “Around The World Highlights” addendum, which showcases ESG initiatives spanning each of the company’s regions – Asia Pacific excluding China; Caribbean & Latin America; Europe, Middle East & Africa; Greater China; and United ...
What Is Sustainable Travel: 10 Best Practices
Dr. Carlos Martin-Rios | July 3, 2024
As academics specializing in the travel, tourism and hospitality (TTH) industry, we have trained and advised dozens of companies in their journey towards sustainable businesses. There is so much more to sustainable travel & tourism than the generic statements you see on brand websites - which are invarably an attempt to greenwash. TTH firms are accountable and must take the changes taking place seriously, from Greta Thunberg's movement to new priorities in the World Economic Forum´s agenda or the ever-growing list of world moguls taking on a leading role in the fight against climate change. For that reason, we have identified 10 ...
Technology and Sustainability in Hotels
Shiji | June 14, 2024
Hotels are increasingly turning to technology as a powerful ally in the quest for sustainability. Today’s technology enables hotels to implement eco-friendly practices that reduce their environmental footprint and are cost-effective. By leveraging smart systems for energy management, water conservation, and waste reduction, hotels can meet the growing expectations of today’s environmentally conscious travellers while enhancing their bottom line. Integrating technology and sustainability is no longer a mere option but a necessity for hotels aiming to thrive in a competitive and responsible tourism industry. Demand for Sustainable Tour...
Driving a Sustainable Future: a Journey to Tomorrow
IHG | May 23, 2024
IHG Hotels & Resorts calls for collaboration across the hospitality industry, as it reiterates commitment to doing business responsibly Responsible for one in 10 jobs and contributing more than $7.7 trillion to the world’s GDP, the travel and hospitality industry supports economies across the globe by helping local communities to thrive. And it’s growing, with more than one billion international travellers last year and even more forecast to follow. Of all hospitality’s long-term drivers, perhaps the greatest is people’s fundamental desire to travel – whether it’s for leisure, business, or both (“blended” travelle...
Hilton and the Hilton Global Foundation Announce Notable Year of Progress Towards 2030 Travel With Purpose Goals
Hilton | May 23, 2024
Hilton, a leading hospitality company, and the Hilton Global Foundation, Hilton’s philanthropic arm, announced today the latest progress towards their shared goal of creating a better world for travel with the release of the 2023 Hilton Global Foundation Impact Report and the 2023 Hilton Travel with Purpose Report. Hilton’s Travel with Purpose Report outlines the hospitality leader’s progress towards its Travel with Purpose environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy to drive responsible travel globally. Travel with Purpose outlines Hilton’s 2030 energy, water and waste reduction targets as well as community engagem...
Sustainability Done Right with a Las Vegas Resort
Adam and Larry Mogelonsky | May 1, 2024
By Adam and Larry Mogelonsky Climate change is now at the forefront of people’s minds, while travel is continually cited as a major (and significantly, a discretionary) contributor to total carbon emissions. As such, every hotel brand needs a clear plan and must also be increasingly transparent about what’s been done to date to win hearts and minds. But every plan relies upon leadership, and with customer sentiment slowly shifting more and more towards ESG values (especially amongst the younger generations), this presents a clear case for carving out a sustainability role for every hotel. Of all the places to learn about how to succ...
Choice Hotels International Unveils Year of Sustainability Milestones in Newly Published 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report
April 25, 2024
Highlights Include Committing to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Incorporating Sustainability into Property Improvement Plans, and a Refreshed Approach to Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention NORTH BETHESDA, Md., April 25, 2024 -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, today published its 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report. The report details Choice's latest initiatives to drive sustainability across its portfolio of hotels. This includes new and expanded requirements to help reduce utility usage and identify savings through its revamped Room to be Green ve...
WTTC Launches Roadmap to Guide Businesses Through the Jungle of Sustainability Reporting in Travel & Tourism
WTTC | March 6, 2024
New report designed to tackle the sector´s unique sustainability challenges Berlin, Germany: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today launched a pioneering readiness roadmap, aiming to simplify sustainability reporting in the Travel & Tourism sector. Launched during ITB Berlin, WTTC and Oliver Wyman announced the Sustainability Reporting Readiness Roadmap, a strategic tool to guide businesses through sustainability frameworks, compliance timelines, and readiness assessments, simplifying the journey towards sustainable compliance. This roadmap is more than just a tool; it’s a strategic compass, enabling companies to decod...
UN Adopts a New Global Standard to Measure the Sustainability of Tourism
UN Tourism | March 6, 2024
A groundbreaking statistical framework, developed under the leadership of UN Tourism, has been adopted by all 193 UN member states. The Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST) thus becomes the internationally agreed reference framework for measuring the economic, social and environmental aspects of tourism. The adoption by the UN Statistical Commission at its 55th session (27 February – 1 March 2024) marks a historical milestone towards harnessing the full potential of the sector, providing a solution to the pressing need for a harmonized methodology to effectively assess the sustainability of tourism...
What Is the Triple Bottom Line and How Does It Work?
EHL Hospitality Insights | March 5, 2024
In a world where corporate greed and profiteering have been cited as two of the primary drivers behind the ongoing cost-of-living crisis that’s increasing financial hardship across Europe, the idea that businesses could exist for any reason other than profit seems hard to fathom. However, there’s a school of thought, called the triple bottom line (TBL), which suggests that businesses should be just as committed to improving the lives of people and the planet as they are to boosting their profits. In this article, we’ll explore: What is the triple bottom line? What are the three Ps? How do they apply to the hotel and ...
WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics Surpasses 1,700 Properties
WTTC | March 4, 2024
From Mexico to Mauritius, Basics is now a globally recognised scheme to verify hotels’ green credentials. Global partnerships strengthen as ITB spotlights sustainable Travel & Tourism Berlin, Germany: The World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) Hotel Sustainability Basics (Basics), the global initiative helping hoteliers on their first steps to improve their sustainability ratings, has reached a significant milestone with over 1,700 hotels verified across 70 countries worldwide. In her speech at ITB Berlin, WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson celebrated the achievement and highlighted the commitment of the industry towards a m...
Reframing Sustainability as a Hotel Profit Maker
Adam Mogelonsky, Larry Mogelonsky | February 28, 2024
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AHLA, HAC Unite to Expand Hotel Sustainability Certification
Green Key Global | February 28, 2024
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The Future of Hospitality Is Green: How Hotels Can Lead in a Climate-Conscious World
Tim Weiss | February 16, 2024
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Amadeus Brings Travel Technology Expertise to Membership in the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Amadeus | January 11, 2024
Amadeus is the first global travel tech company to join the industry body The Alliance seeks collaborative approach to building a more sustainable hospitality sector Amadeus has joined the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance) to bring its travel expertise to the table in the quest to support a more prosperous and responsible hospitality sector. As a leading, global player at the heart of the travel and tourism sector, Amadeus sees great potential to work alongside and connect with hospitality industry stakeholders and, together, contribute on the journey to the Alliance’s goal of Net Positive Hospitality – ensuring the indust...
Why Is ESG Important? Navigating Challenges, Embracing Sustainability
Stefan Güldenberg | January 9, 2024
By Stefan Güldenberg Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues are increasingly prominent in the decision-making processes of investors, consumers, and employees. With societal and environmental issues at the top of the global agenda, the ESG movement has surged in popularity and more people than ever before are considering the wider implications of their choices. However, the rise of ESG issues in the minds of investors and consumers has not been unchallenged. Last year, the backlash against ESG reached fever pitch when Tesla was removed from the S&P 500 ESG Index. It was cut from the indices over concerns about employer...
WTTC’s ‘Hotel Sustainability Basics’ Ends 2023 on a High
The World Travel & Tourism Council | December 15, 2023
More than 1,300 hotels verified so far Industry titans agree three-stage hotel sustainability initiative London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Hotel Sustainability Basics is set to end if first year on a high with more than 1,300 hotels verified, across more than 30 countries from around the world. The Hotel Sustainability Basics is an independent global sustainability verification programme, overseen by internationally recognised verifiers, Green Key and SGS. The aim is for hotels around the world, regardless of their size, to follow a 12 step programme to reduce carbon emissions, protect and promote ...
Hilton’s Vice President of ESG and Global Head of Sustainability, Jean Garris Hand, Represents AHLA, Highlights ‘Responsible Stay’ in Senate
AHLA | November 8, 2023
WASHINGTON (Nov. 8, 2023) – Today, Hilton’s Vice President of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Global Head of Sustainability, Jean Garris Hand, testified on behalf of Hilton and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade and Export Promotion. The hearing, titled “Sustainable Tourism for a Thriving Economy,” explored how to build a sustainable travel and tourism sector while balancing the needs of businesses, visitors, and local communities. Ms. Garris Hand’s written and spoken testimony highlighted how AHLA’s Responsible Stay initiative is rallying the h...
AHLA Partners With IncentiFind to Identify Sustainability-Related Savings for Owners, Operators
AHLA | October 30, 2023
New partnership makes it easy for hoteliers to find $70 billion of incentives like tax credits, grants, fee waivers WASHINGTON (Oct. 30, 2023) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and IncentiFind today announced a new partnership to help AHLA’s more than 30,000 members identify sustainability-related cost savings. IncentiFind, a leading green building incentive database, offers more than a half million incentives, including tax credits, grants, fee waivers, rebates, and bill credits. These lucrative credits support the implementation of green measures like energy efficiency, renewables, water conservation, and more, ...
Placing Wellness and Sustainability as Core Hotel Values With the Fairmont Mayakoba
Adam and Larry Mogelonsky | October 11, 2023
By Adam and Larry Mogelonsky Spread across a sprawling 45-acre ocean-facing campus with 401 rooms and suites, the five-diamond, AAA Fairmont Mayakoba has long been on our bucket list of resorts worth visiting. Just outside of Playa del Carmen in the heart of the remarkably popular sun destination that is the Mayan Riviera (especially for Canadian snowbirds like the two of us), the Fairmont Mayakoba property intrigued us because of its diverse array of amenities, its sustainable luxury approach within the broader Mexican hospitality industry and its core focus on authentic wellness experiences. But it wasn’t until we caught wind of the...
CKI Solutions Transitions to Compostable Packaging
CKI Solutions | September 20, 2023
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.—September 20, 2023—Cadence Keen Innovations (d/b/a CKI Solutions), serving the hospitality industry, including cruise, for more than 20 years, is putting plastic packaging in the past and transitioning to compostable packaging for all its mattress and pillow encasements, bed doublers, as well as all other products using plastic or poly bags, including its Bed MadeEZ® Bed Maker. “The transition has already begun and will be included in all new products as they come in from the factories,” says Rachel Montross, Senior Marketing Manager for CKI Solutions. “We are moving away from zippered plastic packaging to ...
American Hotel & Lodging Association and Hotel Association of Canada Announce Expansion of Green Key Global Sustainability Certification Program
AHLA | September 19, 2023
Green Key Global is the best-in-class sustainability process and practice certification for the hotel and lodging industry, designed by hoteliers, for hoteliers. WASHINGTON (Sept. 19, 2023) – Today, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) have signed a Letter of Intent to form a joint venture company that will own and operate the Green Key Global certification program in the United States and Canada. The announcement, made at the Lodging Conference in Phoenix, represents a pivotal moment for environmental action in the hotel industry. Green Key Global is a North American environment...
