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News Blog

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.

News Blog

Home News Blog
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.

Hersha Hotels and Resorts Sustainability Report Highlights

Earlier this week I received a note from Jay H. Shah, CEO of Hersha Hotels and Resorts, regarding the company’s 2021 EarthView Sustainability Report. Hersha Hotels and Resorts, a REIT, unveiled EarthView in 2010. “The EarthView program is an adaptive, science-based, holistic approach to sustainable hospitality that aligns innovative practices with Hersha’s core values,” Shah says. I reviewed the report and found the following highlights: Hersha has committed to achieving net-zero Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions across all operations by 2050, with an interim reduction target set for 2030. Hersha became a signatory of the CEO Action for...

Las Qolqas: One More Example of High-End Tents Set in Idyllic Surroundings

One niche that is growing in sustainable travel is high-end tents. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Marriott recently released news about tent projects. I recently learned about another called Las Qolqas in the heart of Peru’s Sacred Valley. Situated in the ancient Andean town of Ollantaytambo, halfway between Cusco and Machu Picchu, Las Qolqas is a sustainable haven for exploration and self-discovery. Its founders, Herman van den Wall Bake and Carlos Gonzalez, have internationally created this peaceful place as a testament to their commitment to the preservation of the environment, local community, and culture, as well as harnessing travel...

Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort’s Goal: To Become Carbon Negative

I have reported on Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort numerous times on Green Lodging News. I recently learned that the carbon-neutral property in Eagle Beach, Aruba, plans to go carbon negative this year. The announcement was made on Earth Day. How does the property plan to reach its goal? Here is a list of their latest initiatives: Green loans for employees. To continue the reduction of fossil fuel-dependency, Bucuti & Tara provides employees with loans for electric bicycles, electric automobiles, and solar panels for home use. Charging stations. Guests and staff have complimentary use of the resort’s electric charging stations for...

An Example of How an Art Gallery Can Work in a Hotel—the Courtyard & Springhill Suites by Marriott Amelia Island

Original artwork is certainly a common element in many hotels. There can be many reasons for it: to support local artists, to support a good cause, to enhance an aspect of the building’s design, etc. Earlier this month—April 1 to be exact—The Luna Fine Art Gallery opened at the Courtyard & Springhill Suites by Marriott Amelia Island. The Innisfree Hotels art gallery was inspired by one of the company’s regional managers, Olivia Hoblit, who lost her 14-year-old daughter due to an aneurysm. The hope is the gallery will raise money for the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation. The purpose of the...

Disney, Vail Resorts Invest in Affordable Housing

Just prior to Walt Disney Resort announcing that is has earmarked nearly 80 acres of land for new affordable housing development in southwest Orange County, Fla. (see article), Vail Resorts announced four investments to provide accessible and affordable housing for its employees at Park City Mountain in Utah, Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Vail Mountain in Colorado, and Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont as part of the company’s strategic focus on investing in the employee experience. Collectively, the four investments will provide new affordable housing to more than 875 Vail Resorts employees, marking a more than 10 percent increase in affordable employee housing...

La Quinta Resort & Club Planning Five-Course Plant-Based Dinner Earth Day Eve

At the La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, Calif., attention is paid to the environment not only on Earth Day but throughout the year. On this Earth Day eve, the resort is planning a five-course plant-based dinner using fresh produce and ingredients sourced from the Coachella Valley. The meal will be served at Morgan’s in the Desert, La Quinta Resort & Club’s signature fine-dining restaurant. Based entirely on the local bounty of the surrounding area, the tasting menu will take guests and locals alike on a plant-based culinary journey around the Coachella Valley, highlighting the abundance of greens...

Florida Ranks First in the United States for Total Acres of Lakes Impaired (Polluted) for Swimming & Aquatic Life

Last year, according to Visit Florida, 122.4 million tourists visited the Sunshine State. What most of those visitors did not know was that they were visiting the state that ranks No. 1 in the United States for total acres of lakes classified as impaired for swimming and aquatic life (873,340 acres), and second for total lake acres listed as impaired for any use (935,808 acres). This is according to a new report from the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP). Chances are you will not find that data on the Visit Florida home page. The name of the report is “The Clean...

Four Seasons to Open Naviva Tented Resort in Mexico Later This Year

It is almost every day now that I learn about a new resort or eco-lodge with sustainability at its core. In this case, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s leading luxury hospitality companies, announced plans for an innovative resort concept focusing on highly customizable itineraries led by personal guides, sustainable design and programming inspired by the nature and history of Mexico. The new luxury tented resort will be an expansion of the existing Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in an untouched enclave within the Resort community. Set to open in late 2022, Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta...

Lodge Project in Washington State Takes Advantage of C-PACER Financing

I have written and posted articles about C-PACE financing before. I recently received an article from Petros PACE Finance, LLC and would like to share it with you but first a refresher on what C-PACE is. According to Petros, C-PACE is a long-term financing product secured by a property tax assessment that provides developers with a more affordable alternative to mezzanine debt and equity. In Washington, this low-cost funding can be used for qualifying seismic improvements, energy and water efficiency, renewable energy and energy storage, fire protection, flood readiness and similar work for hotel, office, retail, industrial, apartment, mixed-use and...

A Summary of the Greenbuild 2021 Sustainability Report

Greenbuild is the U.S. Green Building Council’s annual conference and trade show. USGBC just released its sustainability report from the 2021 event held at the San Diego Convention Center. Click here to view the report. It includes data on such things as waste diversion rate (80 percent), carbon impact per participant (413.27 pounds), and the amount of food donated (1,150 pounds). Informa, the parent company that produces the Greenbuild International Conference + Expo, has seven sustainability objectives for Greenbuild: 1. Move toward a zero-waste event. 2. Empower stakeholders to drive change in their industries. 3. Improve sustainable sourcing and procurement. 4. Improve event overall...