INTERNATIONAL REPORT—According to JLL, Asia-Pacific (APAC) investors often underestimate sustainability’s significance during hotel transactions despite mounting evidence of its business benefits in risk mitigation and opportunity creation. This oversight prompts questions about the crucial factors that direct capital allocation towards sustainable real estate and the potential impact on property valuations. Climate change is increasingly emerging as a key downside risk to the hospitality sector and asset values worldwide. Physical climate risks, such as the rising frequency of extreme weather events, directly impact profitability and cash flow stability through business interruptions and higher repair costs. On the decarbonization front, governments worldwide are...

CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR, CALIF.—Five states generating nearly one-third of U.S. economic output are implementing laws requiring detailed greenhouse gas emissions reporting, marking a significant advancement in corporate environmental transparency. California, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, and Colorado—collectively representing $6.6 trillion in GDP—have established timelines for implementation: California: Mandates take effect January 2026. New York: Regulations will be phased in from December 2026 through January 2028. Illinois: Reporting requirements phased in by 2028. New Jersey: Companies with over $1 billion in revenue to begin reporting emissions within four years. Colorado: Reporting to be phased in by 2029. “This coordinated push represents a...

GERMANY—Germany is introducing stricter certification criteria for hotels to substantiate their climate commitments, marking a significant move against greenwashing. This comes in response to the new Green Claims Directive, which will take effect in September 2026 and aims to ban misleading environmental claims across the European Union. Hotels are required to comply with these new rules by March 2026. The new regulations will require hotels to provide detailed evidence of emission reductions from energy consumption, waste disposal, and other sources. Only about 15 percent of German hotels openly display their climate commitments through certification, significantly less than the 30 percent...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Sri Lanka’s opening of its first hotel managed by an all-female team brought the attention of the world towards gender representation within hospitality workspaces. Amba Yaalu Kandalama, run by an all-female staff—from top management to maintenance—is a bold initiative given that women only comprise 10 percent of the country’s tourism workforce. As we open the conversation about women in tourism and hospitality at large, there is no better time to focus on women’s impact within the sector than International Women’s Day. Addressing the Challenges Faced by Women Despite their significant contributions, women in hospitality and tourism continue to face numerous challenges: Due...

CABO ROJO, PUERTO RICO—Reuben Brothers and Three Rules Capital announced that Audubon International—the environmentally focused nonprofit organization offering members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play—has approved Esencia to pursue its highest accolade in environmental stewardship: the Signature Platinum Certification. Set on 2,000 acres of tropical natural beauty on Puerto Rico’s southwestern coast, Esencia is a new cosmopolitan coastal community that seamlessly integrates hotels, branded residences, and amenities across a sensitively designed master plan at Boquerón Bay in Cabo Rojo. In a rare endeavor, the developers are pursuing certification for the entire development,...

BELLEVUE, WASH.—Staypineapple, the national boutique hotel brand, has continued to build on its sustainability achievements over the past year. The company is expanding green practices across all properties and at the corporate level. With these efforts, it is positioning itself as a forward-thinking leader in the hospitality space. “At Staypineapple, we are proud of the significant progress we’ve made in fostering a more sustainable environment for our guests, team members and the communities we serve,” said Dina Belon, President of Staypineapple. “In 2024, we set clear goals to reduce our carbon footprint, and I’m excited to say we’ve made solid...

NATIONAL REPORT—As a hotel owner or resort operator, you have opportunities to make a welcoming environment for your guests while contributing to a healthier planet. One effective way to achieve both is by repurposing materials within your establishment. This approach can save costs and enhance guest comfort. Plus, it can improve your property’s aesthetics and bolster your reputation as an eco-conscious business. Here are practical ideas for repurposing materials for comfort and sustainability. Get started and make the most of the benefits behind these sustainable shifts. Upcycled Furniture for Unique Aesthetics Transform guestrooms and communal areas by incorporating upcycled furniture. For instance, reimagine old suitcases into storage chests. Also, try repurposing any reclaimed wood...

SINGAPORE—While Earth Day reminds us to celebrate our planet, working towards sustainability is a year-round commitment. Across the globe, meet five hotels that make environmental stewardship their daily mission. Set in historic cities to lush tropical landscapes, these properties prove that fun and sustainability can go hand in hand, offering unforgettable experiences while trying to protect the destinations they call home. Centara Reserve Samui, Thailand Set amidst lush gardens along the tranquil coastline of Chaweng Beach, Centara Reserve Samui harmonizes luxury with sustainability initiatives. As a flagship property of Thailand’s leading Centara Hotels & Resorts, the resort is committed to trying to protect Samui’s delicate ecosystem, with...

ORLANDO, FLA.—America’s 63 National Parks draw in serious hikers, and they also provide opportunities for beginners and families alike to unwind, take their time and soak in nature’s beauty. For National Park Week and beyond, the program offers expert content to help travelers make the most of their time outdoors. The adventure-loving vacation club WorldMark by Wyndham has teamed up with America’s Park Ranger, Ash Nudd, as the WorldMark Hiking Concierge. Nudd is a seasoned expert on national parks and creator of the Dirt In My Shoes hiking blog. Having worked as a park ranger in Utah, Alaska, and Wyoming, she...

SACRAMENTO, CALIF.—The California Hotel & Lodging Association supports Gov. Newsom’s Executive Order extending the non-establishment of tenancy in Los Angeles County hotels to July 1, 2025 to give Los Angeles fire evacuees the ability to stay in hotels longer. “Gov. Newsom’s order allows our hotels to continuously shelter individuals, families and pets as the L.A. community continues its long recovery from the devastating wildfires,” said Lynn S. Mohrfeld, CHLA’s President and CEO. “Removing these obstacles from hotels so they can provide shelter to those who lost their homes is simply the right thing to do.” California law generally limits hotel stays at many hotels to 30 days. On January 27, 2025, Newsom...