Earth Week was a busy one with numerous significant announcements.
First, Marriott International, Inc. announced it has verified its near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). SBTi is a global climate action organization that develops tools that allow businesses to set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets in line with data-driven methodology. Marriott is the largest global hospitality company to receive approval for both near-term and long-term science-based targets. Marriott has committed to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050. With over 8,800 properties in 139 countries and territories, Marriott’s announcement is significant.
Second, Choice Hotels International, Inc. published its 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report and said it has signed a formal commitment with SBTi to set science-based targets for reducing its carbon footprint. As part of its Room to be Green initiative, over 2,600 Choice properties now use the company’s automated utility tracking dashboard. Guests browsing ChoiceHotels.com can now identify properties committed to sustainability through a search filter and a designated sustainability practices icon. This feature empowers guests to filter hotels based on sustainability practices. Guests can also filter for hotels that offer electric vehicle charging.
Booking.com released new research, with insights gathered from more than 31,000 travelers across 34 countries and territories, exploring the latest consumer attitudes, priorities and influences related to sustainable travel. Eighty-three percent of travelers confirmed that sustainable travel is important to them. Interestingly, almost half (45 percent) feel traveling more sustainably is important, but not a primary consideration when planning or booking a trip, and 28 percent of travelers even report they are tired of hearing about climate change all the time. In its research, Booking.com picked up on some sustainability fatigue among travelers.
Still to be posted on Green Lodging News, Radisson Hotel Group announced it has published its 2023 Responsible Business report. Following the approval of its near-term science-based carbon emission reduction targets for 2030 by SBTi, the Group received validation of its Net Zero science-based targets, aligning company targets with the private sector’s contribution to worldwide COP21 climate goals. This validation supports Radisson Hotel Group’s vision to decouple carbon emissions from business growth, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent by 2030, and progress towards Net Zero by 2050. The Group’s efforts have already yielded significant results, with a notable 35 percent reduction in carbon footprint per square meter since 2019.
The Green Lodging Trends Report
The Green Lodging Trends Report (GLTR) is back, and you’re invited to be part of the action. If you have a hotel(s) and are keen on gauging your sustainability performance against industry peers in terms of environmental initiatives #CorporateSocialResponsibility, and beyond, or are seeking guidance to enhance your sustainability endeavors, participate in GLTR today.
The GLTR is the leading global benchmarking study on sustainability best practices in hotels, incorporating #HotelSustainabilityBasics (12 actions established in partnership with the World Travel and Tourism Council).
Benefits when you participate:
- Receive a free benchmark report tailored to your property.
- Gain recognition and showcase your outstanding sustainability efforts through GLTR.
- Enjoy free access to the Greenview Portal (valued up to $1,500+/year) for a limited time to complete the GLTR, while you check out the other features on the Greenview Portal.
2024 GLTR participation starts now.
- Follow the instructions to join: https://lnkd.in/edieHfrC
- View the GLTR Benchmark Report sample: https://lnkd.in/gHJTcGYe
- Read the last GLTR report: https://lnkd.in/eRJJXmTi
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.
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Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, publishes the Wednesday Green Supplier Spotlight and Thursday Green Suppliers Spotlight. Green Supplier Spotlight features just one vendor and Green Suppliers Spotlight features multiple vendors. Click here for a Green Supplier Spotlight sample and rate sheet. Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample and rate sheet. Both e-blasts that reach 19,740 subscribers have been built to generate quick leads. A report is sent a week after each e-blast that includes the number of e-mails sent, number of opens, and number of click-throughs. Contact Glenn Hasek at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com for more information.
Planning Advertising for 2024?
In addition to the Spotlight ads described above, Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for other advertising spots for 2024. Many excellent spots are available on our website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. This past month our website welcomed the largest number of different visitors in the almost 18-year history of Green Lodging News—46,812. Interested in receiving a 2024 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.
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As always, I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.