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The News Blog gives Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor of Green Lodging News, an opportunity to comment, in just a few paragraphs, on industry news and trends. A more condensed version of Publisher’s Point of View, the News Blog is updated on either Wednesday or Thursday each week. Want to step in as a guest blogger? Or, have some news to share for the News Blog? To contact Glenn Hasek, call (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina Earns Turtle Safe Certification
The Turtle Conservancy is dedicated to protecting threatened turtles and tortoises and their habitats worldwide, and to promoting their appreciation by people everywhere.
Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. just announced its achievement of the Turtle Conservancy’s Turtle Safe Certification, highlighting its commitment to protecting local sea turtle populations. This prestigious certification recognizes the resort’s comprehensive efforts to implement turtle-friendly lighting throughout its property, ensuring a safe nesting environment for these endangered creatures.
In collaboration with the Turtle Conservancy, Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina received a grant to assist in the transition to turtle-friendly lighting....
Wellness Hotels Surge in Global Market, Upper Upscale Properties Lead
Hotels with wellness amenities experienced notable revenue growth in 2023, with upper-upscale properties emerging as top performers, according to the latest Wellness Real Estate Report by RLA Global, published in collaboration with P & L benchmarking firm HotStats.
Among the key findings:
Revenue Performance: Luxury hotels with comprehensive wellness offerings reported the highest Total Revenue Per Available Room (TRevPAR), achieving three times the TRevPAR of upper upscale hotels in 2023. However, upper upscale properties led in terms of both Average Daily Rate (ADR) and TRevPAR growth across all wellness categories.
Operational Insights: Minor Wellness properties, those earning less than $1 million or...
Costa Rica Hotel Supports Plastic to ‘Plastic Sand’ Initiative
Costa Rica’s Hotel Belmar has gotten quite a bit of “ink” on Green Lodging News and deservedly so. The latest press release posted on Green Lodging News highlights the hotel’s sustainable cuisine. The boutique property has won the Silver award at the Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards and last year launched a new carbon negative initiative that encourages guests to participate in the Offset Your Footprint program by matching all donations. The donations result in a carbon negative trip for hotel guests who choose to participate.
In the hotel’s latest blog post, it details its partnership with ECOHEROES, a program aimed at eradicating...
Sandals Resorts International’s Empower 15 to Bring Solar to Caribbean Schools
As has been reported here on Green Lodging News, much of our industry's greatest work is done by its foundations.
Sandals Resorts International (SRI) announced plans this week to commemorate the anniversary of its nonprofit arm, the Sandals Foundation, with a new, year-long campaign titled, Empower 15. As part of this initiative, The Power of 15 project will harness the strength of the Caribbean sun to bring sustainable solar energy to Caribbean schools, ensuring a much-needed power supply that allows for learning in the critical digital space to continue uninterrupted.
“Providing access to a reliable and cost-efficient energy source puts Caribbean children at an advantage. Power is power in today’s world, where a digital...
Understanding the Pressures Leading to the Phasing Out of Single-Use Amenity Bottles
NATIONAL REPORT—Green Lodging News recently interviewed Hans P. Vriens, Managing Director and President North America, ADA Cosmetics, to understand the pressures leading to the phasing out of single-use amenity bottles.
I understand that California and New York are eliminating single-use mini toiletries from hotels. Help me understand the legislation in each state. Any new shampoo, conditioner, etc. purchased must now be offered as part of an on-the-wall dispenser system? Or can a hotel use large-format bottles not on the wall elsewhere in the bathroom? Does the legislation offer a time window to transition? Or, has that time window now passed?...
Guest Blogger Takes on Topic of Furniture Waste
Our guest news blogger this week is Jon Strassner. He is the founder of Jon Strassner Consulting LLC.
I recently had the good fortune to present at HD Expo in Las Vegas. Along with my good friend and podcast partner, Verda Alexander, we wanted to dive into the idea of reusing furniture in hospitality. Verda and I produce a podcast together called Break Some Dishes, just now embarking on its fifth season. We find people out there doing extraordinary work, quietly, to impact the effects of climate change. The hospitality design industry has notoriously dragged its collective feet when it...
Tesla’s Move to Disband Its EV Charging Team: What Happens Next?
Tesla made headlines again recently with its decision to dissolve its EV charging team. The move, announced by CEO Elon Musk, has sparked intense debate about the future of EV charging.
Tesla's decision came as a shock to many, especially considering the pivotal role charging infrastructure plays in the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. The company has long been hailed for its holistic approach to the EV ecosystem, encompassing not only cutting-edge vehicle technology but also a network of charging stations across the globe.
So why would Tesla choose to disband a team responsible for such a crucial aspect of its...
Naples, Florida Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tacks on Eco Fee
In 2008 I first wrote about energy surcharges at hotels. At that time, the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA) announced that it would support energy surcharges of up to $10 per night at its member hotels. The idea did not go over well at that time and today the whole notion of additional “hidden” fees does not sit well with any traveler. That is why I was surprised to learn that the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Naples Downtown – 5th Ave (Fla.) is currently charging a 5 percent Green Hotel Initiatives Eco Fee. The Gate With Brian...
AHLA Foundation Draws Record Crowd for ForWard Conference to Advance Women in Hospitality
AHLA Foundation hosted nearly 1,000 attendees from across the hotel industry at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place for the annual ForWard conference this week. Over three days, industry leaders gathered to share knowledge and hear from dynamic speakers focused on celebrating, championing, and creating community for women in hospitality.
This year’s conference theme, “Right the Narrative,” centered on the power of storytelling and the importance of amplifying the stories and voices of women in the hotel industry. Keynote speakers during the two-day conference included Shola Richards, founder & CEO of Go Together Global and best-selling author; stand-up comedian, actress, and...
HD Expo + Conference to Feature Many Green Exhibitors, Learning Opportunities
The annual HD Expo + Conference, which I will be attending, will kick off at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas next week. The event will run from April 30 to May 2 and will include many opportunities to learn about sustainable products on the trade show floor with hundreds of exhibitors in attendance—including 145 first-time exhibitors. Conference sessions will touch on topics ranging from equity, inclusion, and diversity to circular design strategies.
Among the first-time exhibitors this year are Light and Green (LED architectural lighting), AGIC Energy (energy management systems), Coulee Coffee Co. (self-adapting automated pour-over coffee maker that uses...