I am excited to report that Green Lodging News has added a “Wellness” section to its website. Click here to access it. The section currently includes articles posted within the past year. To access articles farther back in time, search on “wellness” in the “search” box on the Green Lodging News website. Wellness is something just about everyone in our industry is talking about. I wrote about the topic in a previous column.
Of course this past week was huge in the news with the continuing spread of the coronavirus around the world. Watch for an article in the coming week on the Green Lodging News website about how adding positive and negative ions to the air can kill the virus in the air and on surfaces. I spoke with Steve Levine and Tony Abate from AtmosAir Solutions about their systems that offer effective solutions.
New, Notable Reports
Also of note this past week, findings of a survey conducted by STR’s Tourism Consumer Insights team revealed the importance of sustainable tourism as well as the impact of climate change on traveler perception. Conducted in January 2020, the survey captured the views of over 1,000 international travelers from STR’s proprietary Traveler Panel, a global community of engaged travelers.
The research examined how ecofriendly the modern traveler is and evaluated perceptions of the efforts made to implement greener and more sustainable practices in the tourism industry. Generation Z and Millennial travelers had the strongest views when it came to greener holidays as over 50 percent stated that an environmentally friendly holiday was personally important. Forty-eight percent of all respondents said that choosing an environmentally friendly holiday option was important, while 40 percent chose a neutral position.
Thirty-five percent of travelers stated they wouldn’t want to visit a country that wasn’t making efforts to fight climate change, while 32 percent indicated that they would not be deterred, and 33 percent were undecided.
Overall, around 70 percent believed there is little or no effort to be sustainable among tourism providers. However, hotels/accommodation providers were the least poorly perceived when compared with other key travel and tourism sectors. For further responses and detailed analysis, click here.
Air Travel Growing Too Quickly
Also this past week, OAG released a new report, “How Green is Your Airline?”, that explores how the aviation industry is responding to growing momentum for sustainable and environmentally friendly air travel.
“Despite increased traveler interest in sustainability, the nature of the market makes driving real impact complex and difficult,” said John Grant, Senior Analyst with OAG. “Since 2000, the number of aircraft seats has grown at an average annual rate of 3.6 percent while available seat kilometers have increased 4.6 percent. Unfortunately, the positive changes made by airlines and regulators are being outweighed by increases to passenger growth.”
OAG’s report provides an in-depth look at where current environmental measures, such as carbon offsetting, are falling short; the complexities of reducing carbon impact in travel; market demand for sustainability and environmental data transparency; and airlines, climate neutrality claims and greenwashing.
For more information, download the report.
Earth Hour and Earth Day Activities
Finally, if your property is planning something for Earth Hour on March 28 or Earth Day on April 22, please let me know. I will include your company or property in editorial coverage. Earth Day is especially important this year because of the increasing threats of climate and other change. It is also the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Green Lodging News Adds Hotel Emporium as Founding Sponsor
Green Lodging News has added Hotel Emporium as a Founding Sponsor at the Bronze level. Hotel Emporium has just introduced Eco Pod by Terra Green, sustainable innovation giving hotels worldwide a one-stop solution to face plastic waste and bacteria contamination arising from bulk liquid dispensers. The packaging is fully compostable with bamboo, sugarcane, and wood fibers, plus soy-based ink printing. It is a waste stackable product containing up to four uses, ensuring a bacteria-free environment and easy disposal. It is a water-activated, powder-based amenity collection allowing lighter transportation and lower carbon footprint. Just add water to use. The current range includes shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. For more information, contact Jennifer Bojovic at (224) 323-0898, or by e-mail at jbojovic@hotelemporium.com. You may also click here to visit the company’s website.
Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Get in the Green Suppliers Spotlight!
Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, now publishes Green Suppliers Spotlight, an e-blast to 20,377 subscribers that features the lodging industry’s leading green products and services. The e-blast features multiple vendors—unlike the current Green Supplier Spotlight that allows one supplier to “own” the Green Lodging News subscriber list for one e-blast. (Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample.)
Green Suppliers Spotlight is published weekly on Thursdays to general managers, owners, management companies, directors of sustainability, directors of engineering, facilities managers and many others who are either in purchasing positions or who influence purchasing decisions. Suppliers of green products and services throughout North America and beyond are invited to participate in the e-blast. (Minimum two suppliers per e-blast.) Green Suppliers Spotlight was created to give vendors an opportunity to reach a high number of industry purchasers at a very low cost—as low as $200 per e-mail. (Click here for rate sheet.)
Those advertising in Green Suppliers Spotlight can include up to 100 words, one image, contact information and multiple links to their website in their ad. At the end of each month, a report will be sent to each supplier with information on delivered e-mails, opens and click-throughs.
Planning Advertising for 2020?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2020. Many excellent spots are available on our new website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2020 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com. A media kit can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Newsletter & Green Supplier Spotlight Circulation
The circulation of our weekly e-newsletter and Green Supplier Spotlight currently stands at 20,377. Thank you to our new subscribers for signing up. Be sure to encourage your colleagues to do the same. There are “subscribe” links on the Green Lodging News home page. You may also e-mail greenlodgingnews@gmail.com to be added to our list.
Green Lodging News & Social Media
Green Lodging News now has 1,807 Twitter followers. Thank you to all of those who follow our tweets. In addition to following us on Twitter, be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also on Facebook. Be sure to “Like” us there. Green Lodging News now has 974 Facebook likes.
As always, I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
