LAS VEGAS—Wynn Las Vegas announced that its IT infrastructure, housed at Switch’s Core Campus data center in Las Vegas, is being powered by 100 percent renewable energy. This is one of the latest steps in Wynn’s ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and increase clean energy use across multiple areas of the resort. Switch was able to retire over 835 geothermal and solar renewable energy credits in 2016, and expects to retire over 850 in 2017, on behalf of Wynn Las Vegas. Independently tracked and verified, each renewable energy credit is proof that one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was...

ANAHEIM, CALIF.—The Disneyland Resort announced that it has reached agreement with its largest labor unions for a minimum wage rate increase of 40 percent within two years of the agreement. This will put cast members represented by Master Services Council at $15 per hour by 2019, which will be one of the highest minimum wages in the country. This agreement, benefitting more than 9,700 cast members, is one of the most aggressive entry-level offers in the country and demonstrates Disney’s commitment to its valued cast members. “Disneyland Resort has long taken pride in providing an exceptional employee experience, and this...

MIAMI—Karisma Hotels & Resorts, which owns and manages properties in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, has taken a firm stance on sustainability since its inception in 2000, and most recently announced its decision to eliminate the production and distribution of plastic straws across all of its properties. The ban on plastic straws is the latest effort within Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ overall commitment to the environment. In 2013, Karisma created the Passion for Sustainability Program, which includes initiatives promoting conscious tourism, preserving ecosystems, protecting wild and endangered species, and responsibly using natural resources. As part of its most recent...

MADRID, SPAIN—Promoting a greater engagement of the tourism sector with sustainable development is the main objective of the Tourism for SDGs Platform. The online tool is designed to advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through tourism and was developed by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with the support of Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) constitute an ambitious global agenda for people, planet, prosperity and peace through partnerships. The SDGs aim to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and solve climate change by 2030. The economic relevance of tourism, representing up...

CHICAGO—National Restaurant Association research has found that more restaurant and foodservice operators are integrating sustainability practices into their daily business operations. A survey of 500 restaurant owners and operators examined measures taken, challenges faced and opportunities available by operating more sustainably. Here are some highlights: Efficient equipment is now standard in many restaurants. Most restaurants use energy-efficient lighting, and many use U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star-rated kitchen equipment. Water-saving innovations are also gaining ground, from low-flow toilets to efficient pre-rinse spray valves. Those surveyed said: 79 percent use CFL or LED lighting; 46 percent use EPA Energy Star-rated refrigerators;...

BRUSSELS—During its annual Community Action Month in June 2018, Radisson Hotel Group activated its global partnership with SOS Children’s Villages—carrying out more than 900 activities worldwide to help support children and young people. For the last 15 years, Radisson Hotel Group’s hotels, as well as its corporate and area offices, globally have dedicated one full month to making a difference in the communities they operate in by organizing various activities around its industry-leading Responsible Business program. This year, between them, all business units of the newly rebranded Radisson Hotel Group organized more than 900 activities in their local communities, dedicated...

ITHACA, N.Y.—The fifth annual Cornell Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking study has been published. It includes data from substantially more hotels than in all previous years. While the bulk of the data come from hotels in the United States, the study also recorded a greater international participation, with 51 nations and 13 international brands represented. More than 10,400 hotels contributed information regarding their energy and water use, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Complete as of 2016, the data show that the participating hotels generally have continued to reduce their energy and water usage, although the energy intensity recorded by luxury hotels...

LAS VEGAS—Wynn Las Vegas announced that is has earned Four Green Globes for its dedication to creating and maintaining environmentally-friendly buildings, the highest certification given by the Green Building Initiative, a nonprofit organization that stimulates approaches to creating energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable buildings. To receive Four Green Globes, dozens of key environmental performance metrics were reviewed at both Wynn and Encore covering energy use and efficiency, water conservation, heating and cooling, waste management, emissions and pollution control, and many more. As part of the extensive on-site evaluation process, an independent third party inspected almost eight million square feet of facilities, including...

NATIONAL REPORT—The Third Annual Green Lodging Trends Report Survey will close on August 17, 2018. You can participate in the survey by clicking here. There is no cost to participate. Tens of thousands of green lodging establishments around the planet are being encouraged to benchmark their sustainability practices by completing this survey which last year saw some 2,100 properties participating from 46 countries. The survey encompasses topics ranging from energy management to communication to Health & Wellness. The Green Lodging Trends Report Survey has the support of Green Lodging News, Green Key, Travelife, Green Key Global, Horwath HTL, Green Seal,...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corp. recently announced that Hyatt has joined the CEO ACT!ON for Diversity & Inclusion initiative and signed the United Nations LGBTI Standards of Conduct for Business. Hyatt’s commitment underscores its long-standing dedication to creating an inclusive workplace, led by a CEO-chaired Global Inclusion and Diversity Council tasked with driving Hyatt’s culture of inclusion and diversity. “Our purpose is to care for people, so they can be their best, and that includes taking actions to create an inclusive environment for our colleagues around the world,” said Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt’s CEO. “We’ve laid a strong foundation—from an active network of employee-led...