Last June, MGM Resorts International activated a solar park that will power up to 90 percent of its 13 Las Vegas properties. According to the Associated Press, the company says the initiative is “the hospitality industry’s largest renewable energy project.” In April 2021, Reuters reported that 12 U.S. governors called on President Joe Biden to support ceasing sales of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035—an effort that California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on for his state in fall 2020. There are currently about 2 million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road and, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, there will be about 26...

The wellness industry is transforming into a booming trillion-dollar market with plenty of potential for new entrants in the sector, be it new products or services. EHL has compiled a list of the top 10 global spa trends for 2022. The spa experience is no longer simply about pampering; spas are now required to offer an extensive menu of healing therapies for the mind, body, and soul. The COVID Impact on the Wellness Industry & Spa Trends Today, spas may answer most of the desires of an older generation expecting to be offered additional pampering services or a health and wellbeing...

As of 2020, the International Labor Organization and Walk Free Foundation estimated that 28 million people are victims of human trafficking across both private industries and state-imposed forced labor per year. Of that bone-chilling number, 30 percent of the global human trafficking victims are children, and 49 percent of all victims of international trafficking are women. There is simply no denying it—human trafficking is a worldwide issue that cannot, and should not, be ignored. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the human trafficking epidemic. As stay-at-home orders were issued around the world, the World Bank estimated that 70 million people...

Energy costs are soaring, forcing countless hotel owners and managers to search for more cost-effective, clean energy alternatives to the traditional power grid. Unsurprisingly, the adoption of distributed power generation is also rising—especially in the combined heat and power (CHP) market, which is expected to reach $35.2 billion by 2026. This growth is spurred by the willingness of government programs to provide support and incentives for its implementation. With an estimated $26.6 billion in incentives and clean energy initiatives over the next five years, the booming CHP market is expected to become more accessible to a range of hotels, providing them...

The pandemic forced hotels to modify how they operate, pushing safety to the forefront of the hospitality community’s consciousness, and derailing a burgeoning industry trend to make facilities more sustainable. Yet, hoteliers would be wise to make sustainability a priority in 2022. Decreasing a hotel’s impact on the environment, no matter its size or location, attracts guests in the short term and saves money in the long term. When customers choose to spend money on a hotel room, many want to select a place to stay that is kind to the earth. And while you’d be excused for assuming sustainability...

When not traveling for work, we travel to explore destinations, seeking relaxation and inspiration to recharge our batteries. As tourists, we want an environment that is clean and untouched. Nobody wants to go on vacation and lie on the beach next to a pile of garbage. Whether diving in the ocean, climbing a mountain for a glorious view, or heading out on a safari, one of the major reasons we travel is to discover foreign ecosystems and their wildlife. Tourism depends heavily on biodiversity, and ensure that our students are aware of this. So, What is Biodiversity? For a long time, biodiversity...

The uncertainty of today’s world is forcing businesses to adapt and reposition themselves so that they can make it through these challenging times. With so many unknowns, let us not lose sight of opportunity. Finding savings is critical, especially for organizations that have felt the financial impact of COVID-19. With state’s enforcing “stay at home” orders, hotels across the nation are experiencing low occupancy. Hotel owners and managers should be evaluating their current operations to find ways to eliminate excess energy use. Below are some cost-saving recommendations that can reduce your operating costs without using any capital. Guestroom “Smart” Thermostats:...

Travelers and workers expect a comfortable and healthy hotel environment to work, relax and sleep in. Ensuring good indoor air quality (IAQ) while maintaining building comfort is an essential part of providing a healthy hotel environment. The concentrations of some pollutants in indoor air are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. Exposure to indoor air pollution can cause symptoms like headaches, poor concentration, and irritation to the eyes, nose, or throat. Poor IAQ is a particular concern for those affected by asthma and allergies, for whom certain pollutants can trigger a range of symptoms, from sneezing...

PLAINFIELD, ILL.—Was your hotel built before 1993? If so, chances are you’re losing money each time a guest flushes one of the hotel’s toilets. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that hotels use about 15 percent of the total water consumed by commercial and institutional facilities in the United States. Actual usage varies by guest, of course, but most studies indicate hotels use between 100 to 200 gallons of fresh water per occupied guestroom per day. Water in the United States ranges from three to five dollars per 1,000 gallons. Simple math shows how efforts to reduce water use can potentially lower hotel operating...

Electric vehicles are taking over the road. More than 1 million battery powered electric vehicles have been sold in the United States since 2010, but they remain underserved with only 99,325 public charging ports available at 41,145 stations across the country. Very few businesses have the capability to fill this need the way hotels can. Today, every major carmaker already offers EVs or plans to introduce them and with electric cars forecasted to surge to 10 percent of the United States’ new car market by 2025, there is no better opportunity than right now for hotels to have a leg up on...