NEW YORK—New York Convention Center Operating Corporation (NYCCOC) President and CEO Alan Steel announced the issuance of the Javits Center’s 2019 Sustainability Report—An Unconventional Oasis, which outlines the efforts to further improve the sustainability of the busiest convention center in the United States. The 39-page report details the latest advances of the robust sustainability program at the iconic facility on Manhattan’s West Side, including the installation of state-of-the-art, energy-efficient equipment and policies, a growing wildlife sanctuary on a 6.75-acre green roof and a new project in conjunction with the New York Power Authority to install the largest rooftop solar...

BANGKOK—Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has been voted the world’s No. 1 Hotel Brand for the third year in a row by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine, the largest and most influential travel magazine in the United States. A meaningful brand is at the heart of any thriving business. It is what people connect to more than any product. According to Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs, there is no promotion or offer in the world that can influence brand love as much as employees. “This is a joyful opportunity to recognize our hosts, who live our values and...

NATIONAL REPORT—When people think of hotels, they envision either luxury vacation destinations or necessary places to rest while traveling on business. However, hotels represent a far more vital force in the economy of the locations they serve. Obviously, hotels draw tourist traffic which goes on to patronize local businesses, but they can do much more. Some hotels lead the way when it comes to sustainable innovation. Others take charge of balancing the needs of local merchants with those of the tourists they serve. Here are five ways hotels can work to boost their local economy. 1. Bringing Jobs to the Area One...

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND—Nespresso is partnering with Swedish bike brand Vélosophy to produce a stylish bicycle made from recycled aluminum coffee capsules, demonstrating both brands’ commitment to a circular economy. One thousand limited edition RE:CYCLE bikes made from over 300,000 recycled Nespresso Arpeggio capsules have been available from August 12, sold exclusively on Vélosophy’s ecommerce platform velosophy.cc. Aluminum is one of the world’s most valuable resources, because it can be re-melted and reused infinitely. Designed to highlight the potential of recycling Nespresso’s aluminum capsules, RE:CYCLE encourages consumers to consider how they can make a positive impact. Sustainability & Style Meet Jean-Marc Duvoisin, CEO of Nespresso, said:...

SEDONA, ARIZ.—Travelers from around the world will have a new reason to visit the soaring, majestic red rocks of Sedona, Ariz. when Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel opens in late 2020 as the first of its kind in North America. Developed, owned and managed by Two Sister Bosses, a Sedona family-owned and -operated company, Ambiente is uniquely designed to blend in with the surrounding geological wonderland and gives guests the opportunity to experience and embrace the natural beauty that surrounds them in what USA Today named among the “Most Beautiful Places in America”. Ambiente is comprised of 40 cubed-shaped, guest Atriums that...

SINGAPORE—In celebration of its 25th Anniversary and the recent World Environment Day, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts has introduced a slew of groupwide sustainability initiatives to raise awareness and make a positive impact on the environment and surrounding communities. Supporting World Environment Day 2019’s theme of Air Pollution, the Group aims to plant more than 25,000 trees by year-end around participating resorts worldwide under its Stay for Good Greening Communities program. Air pollution is a global crisis—according to the World Health Organization, 92 percent of the world’s population is exposed to poor air quality, which is linked to seven million...

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS—Any Caribbean economic development plan must respect the intricate relationship between the environment, societal needs and profitability, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). It’s in this context that the need to balance people, planet and profits for a viable tourism economy will be included as a major issue for discussion at the upcoming Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. During a general session entitled, “The Caring Economy: People, Planet and Profits,” scheduled for Friday, August 29 at 9 a.m., participants will be presented with examples of tangible best practices of equitable balance among...

Mixed in the news this past week about mass shootings, demonstrations in Hong Kong, a congressional trip or non-trip to Israel, etc. was some very important news about our climate. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that last month, July, was the hottest month on record for the planet. NOAA has been keeping records for the last 140 years. The year-to-date temperature for 2019 tied with 2017 as the second warmest January-July on record. During July, Arctic sea ice loss occurred at an average rate of 40,800 square miles per day, surpassing the 1981-2010 average of 33,500...

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS—Governor Albert Bryan Jr. recently made history with the signing of Bill No. 33-0043 into law, banning the importation, sale and distribution of sunscreen containing the “toxic 3 Os” of oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The legislation, which passed unanimously and was co-sponsored by eight senators lead by Senator Marvin A. Blyden and Senator Janelle K. Sarauw, makes the USVI the first to embrace the FDA’s recent announcement recognizing only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (mineral sunscreen) as safe and effective sunscreen ingredients. The USVI ban adds the ingredient octocrylene to the chemicals...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—The 1 million square meter, experience-packed JA The Resort has been awarded a prestigious sustainability accolade from the Dubai government and has been officially named Dubai’s “Most Sustainable 5 Star Resort.” The DTCM Sustainability awards were measured on five key performance indicators—Waste and Environmental Protection, Water, Energy and Carbon, Responsible Practices, Training and Awareness and Continuous Improvement. JA The Resort was announced as the winner, with the Cluster General Manager William Harley-Fleming crediting the dedicated Green Team for ensuring the smooth running of all sustainability and CSR efforts in the three-hotel experience resort. Highlights of the active sustainability program at...