TUCSON, ARIZ.—The International Dark-Sky Association (DarkSky) invites people worldwide to reconnect with the benefits of a dark, star-filled sky and learn how to reduce the negative impacts of light pollution to humans, wildlife, and ecosystems during International Dark Sky Week (IDSW) 2023, this week, April 15 to 22. From Tucson, Ariz., to Turkey, information on events can be found at idsw.darksky.org. Hosted by DarkSky advocates, delegates, chapters, and DarkSky places, events include night walks, astrophotography lessons, star parties, proclamations, and special presentations about the benefits of dark skies to humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. “International Dark Sky Week provides a wonderful opportunity for...

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF.—Soul Community Planet (SCP), the holistic hospitality company founded on the values of wellness, social good and sustainability, announced it has reached several milestones in its efforts to make regenerative travel a reality. These include achieving its company-wide Net Zero Waste goal for 2022, receiving a new EarthCheck benchmark, and launching the new Pristine Playa program on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. SCP Exceeds 2022 Net Zero Waste Goal In 2022, SCP achieved superior waste efficiency, with an estimated one pound of landfill waste generated per occupied room—less than half of the estimated industry average. Over the same period, SCP’s...

BOZEMAN, MONT.—Under Canvas, a leader in upscale, outdoor hospitality, announced its latest brand addition with the opening of its 11th camp, Under Canvas North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley, for its inaugural season on June 15, 2023. Located on 50 acres of Montana ranchland with expansive valley and mountain views, Under Canvas North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley is ideally located near the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Located 20 minutes from the charming town of Livingston and 45 minutes from Bozeman, the North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley camp offers unprecedented access to Greater Yellowstone and complements its sister camp on the West side of the famed national park. In addition to...

CHICAGO—Miraval Resorts & Spas, a global leader in wellness destinations, announces its first ever wellbeing wedding offering, the Miraval mindful wedding. Available to book beginning this fall at Miraval Berkshires, the Miraval mindful wedding is a multi-day, immersive experience customized to honor the couple’s intentions. This one-of-a-kind wedding journey includes a thoughtful wellbeing itinerary for the couple, experiential reconnection opportunities for their guests, and a ceremony and reception filled with mindful touch points. Couples and their wedding party will experience Miraval Berkshires’ signature wellness programs and spa services, culminating in a bespoke wedding celebration that opens the door to...

CHATTANOOGA, TENN.—Luxury accommodations provider Bolt Farm Treehouse announced availability for the nation’s first Invisible Cabin accommodations. In addition to its luxuriously appointed domes and treehouses (featured on Netflix’s “The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals”), Bolt Farm’s new mountainside Invisible Cabins feature mirrored-glass facades to provide guests with whimsical, if not mind-blowing travel experiences. In keeping with Bolt Farm’s sustainable, low-impact tourism model and its mission to help guests feel “immersed in nature, and surrounded by comfort,” Invisible Cabins stretch this concept to the next level by “disappearing” into their surroundings both inside and out, providing total privacy and unencumbered panoramic views...

SINGAPORE—Trip.com Group, a leading global travel service provider, has announced its long-term goal to build green tourism, covering three key areas, including: working with partners to launch over 10,000 low-carbon travel products; promoting sustainable travel concepts and engaging 100 million travelers in low-carbon practices; and aiming to further reduce carbon emissions across its own operations. Trip.com Group aims to launch over 10,000 eco-friendly travel products, with several initiatives already underway in the Group’s long-term plan. Trip.com and Skyscanner, sub-brands of Trip.com Group, have partnered with CHOOOSE, a company dedicated to offsetting the CO2 emissions for flights by supporting impactful climate solutions worldwide...

LONDON—The Goodwood Hotel in West Sussex has been crowned the most Sustainable Business in a top award ceremony in London. Judges of the hospitality industry’s Catey awards said The Goodwood Hotel was a “shining example of how to work towards becoming a green business” and praised its impressive 10-year sustainability strategy. The Catey awards were held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, on July 5, 2022, to celebrate the best and brightest businesses and individuals in hospitality across the U.K. Goodwood Entertaining and Hospitality Managing Director, Andrew Coggings, commented: “Winning a Catey is hugely significant because recipients are nominated, selected and rewarded...

SOUTH RIM, GRAND CANYON—Travelers headed to Grand Canyon now have a new option for in-park accommodations. After its $35 million reconstruction by Xanterra Travel Collection, Maswik South Lodge is the first new lodging inside the park in over 50 years and is just footsteps away from the Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim. Constructed in 1971, the original 90 rooms have been replaced with 120 new lodging units across four new lodging structures in the same general location. The 4.5-acre property features two types of accommodations: 90 standard rooms and 30 kitchenettes. The rooms now include private balconies, and the...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The following is a statement from Chip Rogers, President and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), on easing face covering and physical distancing requirements for hotel employees in response to updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance. “In response to increasing vaccination rates across the country and of our workforce, and consistent with CDC and OSHA guidance, the hotel industry supports vaccinated employees being given the choice whether to continue wearing face coverings, in accordance with state and local laws. This change in policy for vaccinated employees is a result of our industry’s...

TAMPA, FLA.—In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many hotels have enacted enhanced cleaning procedures and housekeeping standards, including the promise of cleaning high-touch surfaces. But are those hotels delivering on that promise? AAA—which conducts annual anonymous in-person inspections at more than 26,000 hotels across North America—will now test sanitation levels of high-touch surfaces, as part of its evaluation. “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on travelers’ expectations for cleanliness,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Travelers trust AAA for recommendations that focus on their safety and security. The Inspected Clean enhancement to our Diamond Program...