LOS ANGELES—The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation announced that the Mines Advisory Group—a humanitarian, development and peacebuilding organization focused on landmine removal and armed violence reduction in communities affected by conflict—has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. Since 1989, the Mines Advisory Group has helped over 23 million people in more than 70 countries rebuild their lives after war. It has played a leading role in the international effort to prevent the use of landmines—saving countless lives, protecting human rights and contributing to sustainable peace for communities across the world. The Mines Advisory Group was chosen...

MAUI, HAWAII—As Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa celebrates its 45th anniversary, the iconic oceanfront resort is entering a new era rooted in sustainability, cultural connection, and regenerative hospitality. Long known for its sweeping ocean views and rich cultural programming, the resort is now deepening its commitment to mālama ʻāina (care for the land) through a series of impactful new initiatives led by its dedicated Landscape Manager, Jason “JD” Dennis. From transitioning to natural pest management to expanding on-site food production, the resort is restoring balance to its ecosystem while offering guests meaningful opportunities to learn, explore, and connect. Over the past year, the resort’s...

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA—While many companies offer paid volunteer days, better known as “Volunteer Time Off” (VTO), only one in three employees actually use it, according to Double the Donation. To help change that, Aruba is introducing Aruba VTO, a new initiative that invites travelers to save their PTO and instead use their VTO days for meaningful, purpose-driven experiences on the One Happy Island. Aruba VTO is a chance to give back while getting away with curated volunteer opportunities that connect guests with Aruba’s culture, community, and natural beauty. Travelers are increasingly seeking experiences that create lasting impact and foster a deeper connection...

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA—The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) awarded all nineteen Sandals Resorts its prestigious Healthier Safer Tourism (HST) travelers’ health assurance award for implementing proactive health measures in tourism; as well as Sandals Resorts International (SRI) overall as a Healthier Safer Tourism Destination. This landmark, first of its kind achievement, solidifies SRI’s leadership and partnership with CARPHA for healthier, safer tourism, to protect the health and well-being of both visitor and local populations in the Caribbean. The HST plaques were presented by Dr. Lisa Indar, Executive Director of CARPHA, on July 9 at Sandals Montego Bay at “Celebrating Excellence...

NATIONAL REPORT—There are many ways to reduce food waste to landfill. Proper portioning, smart ordering, partnering with local farmers, and food donation programs come to mind. One easy way to break down and eliminate food waste on-site is by using a biodigester. This machine, available in various sizes, biologically digests organic material. Microbes, enzymes and other bacteria break down the waste. Most food, including fat, greases, and even animal manure, can be processed in a biodigester. Byproducts include carbon dioxide and water, which can simply be discharged into a municipal sewer system, or a soil amendment which can be used...

NATIONAL REPORT—Given the immense climatic challenges we currently face and the growing consumer demand for more sustainable products and services, businesses in every sector are starting to take their environmental impact seriously. In hospitality, the situation is no different. Energy consumption in the industry is high, with cooling, lighting, heating, and ventilation responsible for up to 60 percent of a hotel’s CO2 emissions. Energy-intensive extras such as heated swimming pools, excessive water and plastic use, and food waste also contribute to the industry’s environmental impacts. Given these unavoidable energy requirements and resource needs, hotels must be smart about increasing energy efficiency and reducing their...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. announced the launch of Connect Responsibly with Marriott Bonvoy Events (Connect Responsibly), a program designed to help meeting planners embed sustainability into their events at participating hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Connect Responsibly plans to offer meetings and events customers access to detailed Meeting Impact Reports to measure the environmental impact of their events and select options to purchase carbon credits. The program is anticipated to go live at managed and franchised properties from participating brands globally by the end of October. “There is nothing like connecting in person, and doing so responsibly makes it that much...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—AHLA Foundation announced their third annual No Room for Trafficking Summit will take place July 30, 2024, the same day as the United Nation’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. At last year’s No Room for Trafficking (NRFT) Summit, the inaugural grantees of the NRFT Survivor Fund were announced, including: Safe House Project, Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST), Restore NYC, Inc., University of Maryland Support, Advocacy, Freedom, and Empowerment (SAFE) Center for Human Trafficking Survivors. AHLA Foundation also shared quantitative and qualitative data demonstrating the impact the four Survivor Grantees have made to-date with the $500,000 disseminated across their respective organizations: Collectively, the...

SAN ANTONIO—The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is filled with hidden gems including the elevated artwork that fills this luxurious resort. Hallways and common spaces feature unique, sophisticated work by locally, nationally, and internationally acclaimed artists, giving guests the opportunity to roam the resort to tour and discover the magnificent art pieces curated for guests to enjoy as a new indoor activity. The “Art Walk” takes resort guests throughout the upper and lower-level lobbies where they can view and read about 13 different pieces of art on a self-guided tour. Guides can be picked up at the...

NATIONAL REPORT—In late February, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Procure Impact, a first-of-its-kind B2B marketplace for products that support overlooked communities, announced the launch of the Dignity of Work Pledge, an initiative to create 100,000 hours of paid employment for overlooked populations. At the time of the announcement, eight hotel companies had signed the Pledge. According to Jen Collins, President of Procure Impact, three companies have since signed on, five have verbally committed, and Procure Impact is in conversation with 15 more. There are now more than 150,000 hotel rooms represented. Hotel companies that purchase from companies in...