BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott announced the rebranding and digital expansion of its Healthy Hotel Certification program with the launch of TakeCare Certification, which recognizes organizations of all types for creating an environment that supports holistic wellbeing and growth. TakeCare is Marriott’s award-winning approach to promoting employee wellbeing. The certification, which was previously available only to Marriott managed properties, is now available to all external organizations, including schools, volunteer organizations, non-profits, hospitals, offices, teams and communities, to help promote opportunity, community and purpose for all. TakeCare Certification features new application questions and recognizes organizations with Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium awards. Organizations that complete...

SAN DIEGO—Hilton San Diego Bayfront recently underwent a $23 million renovation to all 1,190 guestrooms and guestroom corridors. Keeping guests’ needs in mind, the enhanced guestrooms and suites feature a nautical, contemporary design and premium amenities including modern furniture, new mini coolers, updated restrooms, additional power and USB ports, 55” HD TVs and more. With both city and coastal elements, the hotel’s elevated look embraces everything Southern California has to offer, and the sophisticated seafaring-inspired design is a nod to the hotel’s stunning, prime location on the edge of the San Diego Bay. In conjunction with the renovation, this year Hilton...

MINNEAPOLIS—CWT Meetings & Events, the global meetings and events division of CWT, says that sustainability will continue to be an ever more important business consideration for the $840 billion industry in 2020, according to the M&E 2020 Future Trends Report bonus feature, The Future of Sustainable Events, published yesterday. As activists protest in some of the world’s best-known destinations—including London, Sydney, Amsterdam, Madrid, New York and Washington, D.C.—demanding action on climate change, companies are increasingly taking notice. “The sustainability of the meetings and events industry, in fact of the entire travel industry, is at the forefront of companies’ and planners’ minds...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands Corp. once again has been recognized by the S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI) for its industry-leading performance in environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts. Sands is the only Integrated Resort company included in the DJSI North America. In 2019, Sands made significant performance improvements in human rights, corporate citizenship and philanthropy, and operational eco-efficiency, according to SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) results. The SAM CSA results, derived from financially material ESG factors, alongside S&P DJI’s robust index methodology, form the basis of construction and maintenance of the entire DJSI series. “Sands is driven by delivering strong...

SARDÓN DE DUERO, SPAIN—Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine is channeling its historic roots—and providing guests with the ultimate locally sourced, organic and flavorful produce in the property’s restaurants—with the creation of a large vegetable garden adopting the sustainable techniques and methods used by the abbey’s original monk inhabitants in the 12th century. The location between the abbey and the river is not only ideal because of the fertile soil and abundance of water, but is the very spot where the monks had their vegetable garden almost 900 years ago. More than 90 vegetable varieties, including 10 different types of tomato, are currently...

FRANKFURT, GERMANY—This year World Cleanup Day united 179 countries and 18 million devoted volunteers across the world for one day and with one aim—to clean up our planet. “Leaving everything better than we found it” is fundamental to the philosophy of Penta, the neighborhood lifestyle hotel brand. Penta employees joined forces with neighborhood volunteers to participate in the worldwide cleanup and give something back to both local communities and the planet. From China to Germany, Czech Republic to Russia, and from Southern England to Northern Scotland, the Penta Hotels plus the Head Office engaged in community cleanups of local...

MCLEAN, VA.—To mark Global Handwashing Day, Hilton announced the expansion of its soap recycling program, totaling 5,300 properties in more than 70 countries and territories around the globe. Hilton’s decade-long soap recycling program, which is already the largest in the hospitality industry, helps fight the hygiene epidemic plaguing underserved communities where tens of thousands of children die needlessly due to lack of access to basic sanitation. The initiative also contributes to reducing Hilton’s overall environmental impact, which the company has set a goal to cut in half by 2030. Hilton also announced the successful completion of its 2019 Clean the...

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—Radisson Hotel Group has introduced its new global Responsible Business training program, Living and Leading Responsible Business. Set to be rolled out worldwide over the next 16 months, the new program will cement Radisson Hotel Group’s position as a Responsible Business leader and will give team members the tools they need to drive standards and best practices. Taking responsibility for the environment and local community has long been important to Radisson Hotel Group, one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel groups. It has been a vital part of the group’s broader commitment to sustainable development since the...

ORLANDO—SpringHill Suites and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Orlando at SeaWorld are continuing their commitment to a gold standard guest experience, with their newly earned Certified Autism Center designations. Both hotels completed a certification program from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to ensure staff have the training, tools and skills needed to work with guests with autism or other sensory needs. This hotel duo joins their neighboring partners and fellow Certified Autism Centers SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Discovery Cove to become an inclusive destination for all. Families with children on the autism spectrum...

ATLANTA—IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announced a global partnership with JA (Junior Achievement) Worldwide, one of the world’s largest youth-serving NGOs, which focuses on preparing young people for future employment and entrepreneurship. The year-long partnership will support more than 750 young people as they gain skills and experience in hospitality in nine major markets around the world, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, U.K., France, Germany, UAE, Japan and China. Yasmin Diamond, Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs, IHG, commented: “We’re proud to be the first hospitality company working with JA Worldwide to inspire...