MGM Resorts International’s announcement this past week that it would open its Park MGM/NoMad resort as a 100 percent nonsmoking resort was good news for travelers who prioritize good, clean air to breathe. According to MGM’s press release about the opening, it is the Las Vegas Strip’s first fully smoke-free casino resort. While a long time coming, I applaud MGM for taking this step and strongly encourage the company to repeat it at its other remaining properties around the world. (Listen up other gaming companies as well.)
The announcement comes at a critical time—with the West experiencing its worst fire season ever and a planet trying to get out of the grips of a pandemic. The MGM announcement, the burning West and COVID-19 all have to do with optimizing or hindering our ability to breathe.
One of the first articles ever posted on Green Lodging News 14 years ago dealt with the trend of offering 100 percent nonsmoking rooms. And time and time again I have written about the dangers of first-, second-, and third-hand smoke in hotels. Yet here we are 14 years later and 56 years later after the U.S. surgeon general released the first report on the dangers of cigarette smoking—still talking about the phaseout of smoking.
According to the most recent AHLA/AHLEF/STR Lodging Survey (2018), 63 percent of hotels were 100 percent nonsmoking—the laggards primarily being the hotels in the budget, economy and interstate sectors. Of course, we have most casinos as well.
I realize there are still many smokers out there traveling and many hoteliers are just trying to accommodate them but it is long past time for eliminating this dirty habit from the insides of lodging establishments.
Which is More Hygienic—Hand Dryers of Paper Towels?
Just prior to press time I received a press release from Excel Dryer regarding the publication of a University of Arizona Health Sciences work entitled, “Comparison of electric hand dryers and paper towels for hand hygiene: a critical review of the literature.” To conduct the study, the research team considered 293 papers and published studies for inclusion in their review. The purpose of the review: to uncover which hand drying method, hand dryers or paper towels, is more hygienic and safer relative to human health risks—certainly important at this pandemic time. Watch for the results of this review in the coming week on Green Lodging News.
Green Lodging News Adds Spectrum UVC to Product Directory
Green Lodging News has added Spectrum UVC to its Green Product & Service Directory in the Cleaning & Maintenance/UV Disinfection category. Spectrum UVC is revolutionizing sanitation standards for residential and commercial spaces by utilizing the power UV light disinfection, eliminating 99.9 percent of all viruses, bacteria, and pathogens in the safest manner possible to both humans and the environment. The company’s 850M9 is lighter and more mobile than competing units but is at the same time more powerful for better disinfection in less time. The units are user friendly. When guests feel safe occupancy increases. Decrease turnaround time. Proven against COVID-19, bacteria, mold. Reduce chemical use! Call (405) 919-2982 or e-mail david.fruit@spectrumuvc.com for more information.
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, publishes Green Suppliers Spotlight, an e-blast to 25,000 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 25,000. 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
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As always, I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
