ATLANTA—IHG Hotels & Resorts announced an agreement with EnviroSpark, an industry leader in the design, installation, and operation of electrical vehicle (EV) charging solutions, to make electric vehicle chargers (EVCs) available to all IHG-branded hotels across the United States and Canada. IHG hotels can now partner with EnviroSpark on EVCs depending on their individual needs and requirements. This agreement will further expand on IHG’s 1,100 hotels globally with EVCs and meet the growing customer demand for EV charging on the road while supporting a shift to a low-carbon economy. The EVCs that will be available at IHG-branded hotels in North America are...

NORTH BETHESDA, MD.—Choice Hotels International, one of the world’s largest hotel franchisors, announced an agreement with Tesla to offer Tesla Universal Wall Connectors to participating Radisson, Cambria, Comfort, Country Inn & Suites, Quality Inn, and other Choice-branded hotels across the U.S. Through this agreement, Choice-branded properties can add four or more charging stations for guests, helping to meet the growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging and eliminate one of the biggest pain points for EV drivers traveling for business or leisure. To find a hotel with a charging station, travelers can use the EV charging filter on ChoiceHotels.com and...

ATLANTA—Hotel Indigo, part of IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, is launching a first-of-its-kind offering—in the U.S. and U.K.—where those who live in the same zip code, or postcode, as a Hotel Indigo can now “borrow” everyday necessities at no cost. The program, Borrowed by Hotel Indigo, which comes on the heels of the brand’s largest marketing campaign, The World’s Neighborhood Hotel, will aim to foster connection and build community. Our social structure has evolved, and we no longer borrow from our neighbors as much as we once used to. In fact, a recent survey from Hotel Indigo reveals that people interact with...

RACINE, WIS.—Hotel Verdant, a full-service, upscale boutique hotel that serves as a gathering place both for the community and travelers, is now open. The 80-room, four-story hotel is in the historic Zahn’s Department Store at 500 Main St. on the centrally located Monument Square. Construction for the historic preservation project cost more than $40 million, with the start date in January 2022. Built by Dominion Properties of Milwaukee, the nearly 80,000-square-foot building includes amenities such as a first-floor signature restaurant, a rooftop restaurant and cocktail lounge with a large outdoor patio facing Lake Michigan, a dry sauna, a fitness center,...

BARRIE, ONT.—Forests Ontario has announced a new partnership with Resorts of Ontario aimed at advancing environmental sustainability and forest conservation within Resorts of Ontario’s member resorts and tourism communities across the province. “Resorts of Ontario is thrilled to partner with Forests Ontario to promote responsible and sustainable practices within our industry, and restoration in general within the province,” Kerri King, Executive Director of Resorts of Ontario, says. “So much forest land was impacted in the summer wildfire season. Our association members recognize their roles as stewards of the land, and this collaboration is an important step in making meaningful change...

MIAMI—1 Hotels, the mission driven luxury lifestyle brand, is introducing Certified Sustainable Gatherings, a new approach that offers the opportunity to create unforgettable events that are designed to minimize environmental impact. Whether it’s a corporate event, gala, meeting, wedding or private celebration, Certified Sustainable Gatherings provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to bring a vision to life while working in harmony with the planet. At 1 Hotels, commitment to sustainability has always been at the forefront of event (and meeting) planning. The newly introduced Certified Sustainable Gatherings offers clients the opportunity to plan an event that is fully dedicated to eco-consciousness. 1...

NATIONAL REPORT—In recent months, hospitality and tourism industry actors have been eagerly awaiting projections regarding the volume of domestic and international travelers for 2023, hoping that the numbers will reach the level of 2019. Based on current trends, it is expected that in 2023 global tourism will actually outperform 2019, which might be partly due to revenge tourism. For many actors in the industry, this is good news. However, voices have begun to denounce what is being called “overtourism”. For some observers, it has gotten out of hand and there are simply too many tourists. It is true that when you look at...

HOPE VALLEY, CALIF.—Following the successful 2022 opening of its first luxury micro-resort (located in South Lake Tahoe), Desolation Hotel announces its expansion to a second Sierra Nevada location: Desolation Hotel Hope Valley (located in Hope Valley, Calif.). The family-owned, eco-conscious hotel brand now offers two ways to explore this singular Northern California region—and will be running a shuttle between the properties, providing guests convenient access to both experiences. Guests staying at either location may freely access amenities at either property. Formerly known as Sorensen’s Resort, and now Desolation Hotel Hope Valley, this mountain retreat has been a beloved getaway for outdoor and adventure enthusiasts since...

NATIONAL REPORT—CiCLO™, a sustainable textile technology from Intrinsic Advanced Materials, LLC, could help the lodging industry reduce its plastic waste footprint substantially. CiCLO is a nature-based solution to reducing plastic microfiber pollution. “Adding CiCLO technology to polyester and nylon is scientifically proven to accelerate nature’s bioremediation process,” according to Intrinsic Advanced Materials. “CiCLO technology can be added to polyester and nylon, which are the main components of various fabrics used within the hospitality industry,” explains Andrea Ferris, CEO of Intrinsic Advanced Materials and Co-Inventor of CiCLO technology. “Polyester and nylon are highly durable plastics used in everything from bedding to towels...

BUFFALO, N.Y.—Delaware North, a global hospitality and entertainment company with operations at several U.S. national parks, announced it is expanding deployment of the CIRQU Powered by PepsiCo recycling program, as well as other sustainability initiatives. Delaware North launched CIRQU in its lodging, retail and food and beverage operations at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia in 2022. This year, the company plans to deploy the program at select other national park operations. The CIRQU program provides retailers with giant “super sacks” for temporary storage of aluminum cans and recyclable plastic #1 PET bottles for pickup, so the...