HONOLULU, HAWAII—Prince Resorts Hawaii (PRH) has been named the number one Best Place To Work In Hawaiian Hospitality in the state and one of the Best Places To Work in Hawaii across all industries by Hawaii Business Magazine in its annual survey of the state’s employers. PRH is one of ten large companies named as the Best Places To Work and the only one to receive the Best Place To Work In Hawaiian Hospitality award. According to Hawaii Business Magazine, all nominated companies face two tests: a confidential survey of their employees, which accounts for 75 percent of each company’s...

KOHALA COAST, HAWAII—The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI) launched its tree planting partnership, creating Hawaii Island’s first carbon neutral resort, along with a new 100,000-tree Legacy Forest on-property at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. These trees will be planted over the following years and will significantly contribute to the restoration of some of Hawaii’s most important endemic species, preserving them long into the future. The inaugural planting of 150 Legacy Trees was completed by The Westin Hapuna staff in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day. “Forests are the most effective and immediately scalable carbon capture...

LONDON—Zeal Hotels is planning a new hotel concept which follows sustainable principles from the build and throughout its operation to hopefully create a carbon net zero property. The company is in the process of acquiring a site for a 140+ room new build hotel and the group is targeting the U.K. for further growth opportunities. Tim Wheeldon, Managing Director, Zeal Hotels, said that the concept has been welcomed “with open arms by planning authorities and we are in discussions regarding several opportunities at the moment.” “We have been working on the idea of a sustainable hotel for over three years,” Wheeldon...

MONTEVERDE, COSTA RICA—Hotel Belmar, a family owned and operated boutique hotel that is a leader in responsible tourism, launched a new carbon negative initiative that encourages guests to participate in the Offset Your Footprint program by matching all donations. Created by the Monteverde Community Fund, the program offsets the impact of tourism, growth, and environmental changes by equipping the community of Monteverde, where Hotel Belmar is located, for challenges associated with change by planting and protecting trees and the local biodiversity as well as preserving water in the region, to name a few. “Since opening our doors more than 35 years ago,...

LAS VEGAS—Resorts World Las Vegas announced that all three of its hotel brands, Las Vegas Hilton, Conrad Las Vegas and Crockfords Las Vegas, LXR Hotels & Resorts, have earned Gold Certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The prestigious Gold Certification positions the resort amongst the best energy-efficient facilities in the world. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED certification is considered the benchmark in the green building industry, with only six other LEED Gold buildings within the hospitality and lodging sector in Nevada. LEED certification provides building owners and operators with a framework for...

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR—Hilton announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Serinatura S.A. to welcome the Curio Collection by Hilton brand to the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz with the conversion of the Royal Palm Galapagos Hotel. The renowned property will remain owned and operated by its current management company, led by Diego Andrade Murtinho, while joining Curio Collection by Hilton, and will maintain the property’s storied commitment to sustainable, responsible travel. With an anticipated conversion in July 2022, Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton will represent the first international hotel brand name with a presence in the destination and will...

LAAMU, MALDIVES—The Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI) was recently recognized as a global leader in marine conservation during the 20th Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards. Shortly after, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and his administration designated six naturally unique and eco-rich areas in Laamu Atoll as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This announcement comes just two months after the atoll was declared as a Hope Spot by Mission Blue. Recognition for Conservation Progress MUI, the marine biology team at Six Senses Laamu, consisting of hosts from the resort and its three partner NGOs: The Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation and The Olive Ridley Project, has been...

HONOLULU—'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, the award-winning hotel located steps from the beach in the center of Waikiki, announced its commitment to achieve PAS 2060 carbon neutral certification. The resort has engaged DEKRA for verification services and has partnered with the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI) and Legacy Carbon LLC to help offset the carbon footprint of the resort. This builds upon Alohilani Resort’s existing sustainability initiatives, including its commitment to plant 100,000 indigenous trees in its Legacy Forest, and its use of renewable electricity throughout the hotel. Providing a carbon-neutral experience means guests can ease their conscience while they enjoy...

AURORA, COLO.—Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center announced that it has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star certification for superior energy performance. Energy Star certified buildings and plants are verified to perform in the top 25 percent of buildings nationwide. Gaylord Rockies was verified in the top 5 percent, based on weather-normalized source energy use that considers occupancy, hours of operation, and other key metrics. Energy Star is the only energy efficiency certification in the United States that is based on actual, verified energy performance. “We’re honored to earn the Energy Star for superior energy performance at Gaylord...

SILVERTHORNE, COLO.—The Pad, a boutique hotel with hostel-style rooms and a high-end mountain modern design, will open its doors officially on January 27 and has welcomed its first guests in the heart of Silverthorne, Colo. along the banks of the Blue River. The Pad began welcoming guests for a soft opening in late November. As the first newly constructed boutique hostel in the Rocky Mountains, The Pad incorporated 18 upcycled shipping containers into its environmentally friendly construction and design. The Pad is one of the country’s first lodging properties to be constructed using upcycled shipping containers and is on track to becoming the first Colorado-based...