SINGAPORE—Come 2023, a new resort experience will open to guests at Mandai, bringing them closer to nature through a biophilic design that integrates the buildings with their natural surroundings. The design of the new Mandai resort will be helmed by local architectural firm, WOW Architects. Speaking on the appointment of WOW Architects, Mike Barclay, Group CEO of Mandai Park Holdings (MPH) said, “WOW Architects’ concept demonstrated the best design response to our brief, one that will bring our guests closer to nature. We have brought together the strengths of two homegrown brands, WOW Architects and Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts....

SAN FRANCISCO—Yelp has launched a Green Practices Initiative to begin surveying consumers and understanding how to better assess the sustainability of a restaurant’s practices. Given the complexity of sustainable food systems and restaurant operations, Yelp is focusing first on the reduction of single-use plastics in restaurants and leveraging what makes Yelp most useful: consumer feedback. Yelp will begin surveying consumers and collecting data on the use of single-use plastics in restaurants across the United States. Consumers who visit a restaurant’s Yelp page can answer whether or not the business uses compostable takeout containers, plastic bags, plastic straws, plastic utensils or...

MIAMI—As part of Club Med’s continuing commitment to a sustainable approach to tourism, the company is working on new uniforms for staff completely made out of recycled plastic material. The special collection will consist of polos, dresses and caps to serve a variety of roles. This process not only uses approximately 40 percent less energy consumption when compared to regular polyester production, but in order to create Club Med’s new uniforms, the equivalent of more than 200,000 plastic bottles have already been recycled in the process. Club Med’s G.Os (the term used for employees, short for Gracious Organizers) will debut...

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS—Caribbean enterprises that act as social change agents through tourism innovation will be recognized by the region’s tourism development agency. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is this year introducing the Tourism Social Enterprise award to its sustainable tourism awards program to demonstrate in a tangible way its support for businesses or individuals that use creative ways to show how tourism can support societal development. “Social entrepreneurship is exemplified when an enterprise’s core business activity has positive spin-off benefits to solve or bridge community-based problems,” says Amanda Charles, the CTO’s Sustainable Tourism Development Specialist. “This business development approach is highly...

SEDONA, ARIZ.—The Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau is responding to the challenges of welcoming millions of annual visitors with a revolutionary change in how tourism is managed in one of America’s premier travel destinations. The Sedona Sustainable Tourism Plan will drive stewardship of Sedona’s famous red rocks while reducing traffic congestion, overcrowding and social impacts. Sedona’s red rocks inspire artists, spiritual seekers and nature lovers around the world. “Our stunning landscape inspires people everywhere,” said Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism President and CEO Jennifer Wesselhoff. “Falling in love with Sedona is easy. The community wants to be sure we...

LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA—Situated on the island of Langkawi in Malaysia, The Datai Langkawi is a luxurious ecotourism resort nestled in the heart of a 10 million-year-old rainforest. In an exciting milestone, The Datai Langkawi is the first in the world to join the EarthCheck ECO (Terrestrial) Certification Program. EarthCheck ECO is the culmination of a journey that began in 1987 and continues to this day. Using a science-based approach, the program helps travel and tourism organizations increase efficiencies, reduce their environmental footprint, support local communities and maximize guest experience. “Over 500 million years ago, Mother Earth created what is known as...

NASHVILLE—WP Hospitality Group LLC, the award-winning hotel and resort management company, will be at the management command for The Purpose Hotel The luxury company is spearheaded by Horst Schulze, former President and COO of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company and founder of Capella Hotel Group. HASTINGS Architecture will oversee the primary design aiming for an open of 2022 in Nashville. The revolutionary idea is the brainchild of renowned photographer Jeremy Cowart. Everything from blankets to soap, internet access to furniture, The Purpose Hotel will help fight cyclical issues through domestic and international partnerships offering visitors the chance to literally...

MIAMI—SportsArt, the green fitness company, is offering individuals residing in and visiting the Caribbean an opportunity to contribute directly to the fight against climate change while exercising and staying healthy. The innovative SportsArt company produces gym equipment that converts human energy expended during exercise, in a gym or at home, into utility grade electricity. SportsArt ECO-POWR is a line of cardio equipment that harnesses human energy produced throughout a workout and converts it into utility grade electricity, offsetting the facility’s power consumption and reducing its carbon footprint. According to Jaime Fairfoot, Director of Sales and Business Development for SportsArt, this...

NEW YORK—Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel platforms, has released findings from its annual sustainable travel report for the fourth consecutive year. Research reveals almost two-thirds (66 percent) of U.S travelers believe that people need to act now and make sustainable travel choices to save the planet for future generations. However, common barriers travelers face when making sustainable travel choices are (percent of U.S respondents who agree): I do not know how to make my travel more sustainable (40 percent); Although I do see options to travel more sustainably, other options tend to appeal more (41 percent); I...

For those of you not familiar with Hersha Hospitality Trust, it is a real estate investment trust that invests in hotels (48 hotels, 7,644 rooms). The company is organized in Maryland, with its principal office in Harrisburg, Pa. Hersha created its award-winning sustainability program, EarthView, in 2010. Hersha just released its 2018 Sustainability Report. According to Hersha, since 2010 it has seen a $65 million increase in portfolio value thanks to EarthView. It has also experienced $11 million in savings. Compared to 2010, Hersha has seen a 15 percent reduction in energy per square foot, 41 percent reduction in greenhouse...