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...

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—Scandic Hotels has signed a long-term lease agreement with Skanska for a new 210-room hotel in downtown Sundsvall. The new hotel, which will be attractively located in the city’s harbor area, will be built of wood, giving it a very high environmental standard. The hotel is expected to open during 2024. The hotel will be called Scandic Sundsvall Central. The hotel, which will be ideally located next to Sundsvall’s harbor and railway station, will have 210 rooms and a cozy restaurant and bar area on the ground floor. One floor up, guests will be able to enjoy the hotel’s...

MILL VALLEY, Calif.—Auberge Resorts Collection, a portfolio of award-winning hotels, resorts and residences, recently announced plans for a new coastal escape in South Carolina with The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection. Located along the Charleston coastline in the waterfront community of Kiawah River, the property offers 2,000 acres of picturesque land with 20 miles of riverfront, scenic nature trails and abundant marshlands set amongst native flora and fauna. With the groundbreaking planned for January 2022, The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection, will be a charming, family-friendly getaway that invites guests to take in the simple pleasures of an authentic sea island lifestyle upon its opening...

PHNOM PENH—CARDAMOM Tented Camp in Cambodia has witnessed the return of a small herd of elephants to its conservation area, after an absence of five years. A large group of Smooth Coated Otters are back too. Forest rangers discovered and photographed elephant footprints and droppings inside the 18,000-hectare forest concession, which the camp protects, with help from Wildlife Alliance and the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF). “From the size of the dung and the number of footprints, it seems that this is a herd of nine elephants comprising four adult females, their calves and one juvenile,” said John Roberts of GTAEF,...