A news item that I posted in our Vender News section caught my attention this morning. Spotnana, a Travel-as-a-Service platform modernizing the infrastructure of the travel industry, announced the release of Spotnana Carbon Removal, a new offering that enables corporations to remove carbon from the atmosphere through advanced technology that is fast, exact, and permanent. What technology? It is a system offered by Creturner Group, which uses a Bio Carbon Capture and Storage (Bio-CCS) process to convert wood-based waste products into coal that is deposited into old, end-of-life mining pits. This process ensures that a precise amount of carbon...

I have mentioned the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) many times on Green Lodging News. For those of you not familiar with GSTC, it establishes and manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, known as the GSTC Criteria. One need not be a certifying organization to join GSTC. In fact, the organization states, “Membership is open to all interested parties….” GSTC just welcomed Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts as a member to the Council. Founded in 1960 by Isadore Sharp, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is a globally renowned hospitality company specializing in luxury hotels, resorts, and residential properties, striving...

A new report published by the Law, Ethics and Animals Program at the Yale Law School (LEAP) and American Bird Conservancy (ABC) reveals how local laws and policies are speeding up protections for birds, such as the Blackpoll Warbler, from deadly building collisions. The first-of-its-kind report, “Building Safer Cities for Birds: How Cities Are Leading the Way on Bird-Friendly Building Policy,” unveils critical insights and data that will help inform building design standards to significantly reduce avian mortality. “A growing number of U.S. cities and counties have emerged as leaders in advancing bird-friendly building design and practice over the past two decades, in the absence of...

When was the last time you stayed at a hotel with a PTAC and noticed an extra air filtration cover over the PTAC? You most likely have not experienced this but at a trade show earlier in the year I discovered a company, RZ Industries, that makes an air purifying filter that attaches to the front of the PTAC. Called the RZ AIRflow, it improves the air quality of the guestroom by removing 99.7 percent of airborne particulates from inside and outside. The system uses carbon filters and a HEPA filter. There is no added noise when using the...

With September just a couple of days away, I thought it would be timely to point out some upcoming fall events to keep in mind as possible ones to attend. The first event is The Well Summit at Union Market in Washington, D.C. If wellness is your focus, be sure to check out the itinerary for this event. One of the speakers will be physician and New York Times Best-Selling Author Dr. Mark Hyman. He is an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in the field of Functional Medicine. If you plan to attend The Lodging Conference in Phoenix,...

Over the years I have posted about the Fairmont Washington, D.C.’s Sustainability Fair. I just received word that the hotel will hold its eleventh annual Sustainability Fair on Friday, September 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. I always give this event some publicity because it is so unique—formally inviting vendors and the public into a hotel space to celebrate sustainability. Each time I have been contacted by Diana Bulger, Area Director of Public Relations for the hotel. Some of this year’s participants include: Balance Gym, Compostology, DC Beekeepers Alliance (live honeybees), DC Sustainable Energy Utility, Destination DC, Department of Energy...

One of the impacts of the pandemic was of course a reduction in housekeeping. It was for safety reasons and ultimately due to a shortage of housekeepers. According to Gary Leff of “View from the Wing,” at least one brand is going back to the old days of housekeeping—Hilton, and at least with some of its brands. According to an internal Hilton communication reviewed by View From The Wing, “Daily housekeeping will be a brand standard at all full-service hotels, and every other day at limited-service properties though in both cases either more or less housekeeping will be at the...

Green Lodging News has reported previously on company or individual efforts to accommodate travelers who happened to have autism. For example, in 2019, the SpringHill Suites and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Orlando at SeaWorld earned Certified Autism Center designations. Earlier this year, Legoland California, Legoland Florida, and Legoland New York Resorts announced that all parks would become Certified Autism Centers this past spring. In an interesting twist, last week, Karisma Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with Autism Double-Checked, announced the introduction of the world’s first-ever Autism Concierge, providing a dedicated contact for all autism-related questions and serving as an extension of the Autism Double-Checked comprehensive three-part...

According to Glamping.com, “Glamping is where stunning nature meets modern luxury. It’s a way to experience the untamed and completely unique parts of the world—without having to sacrifice creature comforts.” Green Lodging News has published articles detailing numerous examples of glamping destinations opening in recent years. One company specializing in developing glamping camps is Under Canvas. It just opened its 11th camp in Paradise Valley. Under Canvas North Yellowstone – Paradise Valley is located on 50 acres of picturesque ranchland near the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Under Canvas North Yellowstone – Paradise Valley is the brand’s second camp near...

At the National Parks Conservation Association, its mission is to protect our national parks for present and future generations to enjoy. There’s something in our national parks for everyone, from visitors looking for an adventure to those who simply enjoy taking in the sights. With its partners at Travelodge by Wyndham, its Park Pairings video guide series is designed to inspire visitors to explore parks in new ways. Created by NPCA’s staff of experts and filmed in Joshua Tree National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Shenandoah National Park, the guides showcase ways to enjoy time in parks with...