SILVER SPRING, MD.—Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, has joined the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, a global network for responsible hospitality which unites world-leading hotel companies to build a more sustainable future. With nearly 7,500 hotels, representing more than 630,000 rooms in 46 countries and territories, Choice Hotels recognizes the positive impact it can advance in the global communities in which its associates and franchisees live and work. This new membership will see the company come together with other member hotel companies to share best practices, understand the latest sustainability innovations, and create a...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The global supply chain disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have revealed the weaknesses created by our society and economic model’s dependence on global trade. This has led to a unique opportunity for businesses and individuals to review and adapt their business models to build a more workable and sustainable future. With an increasing number of customers demanding sustainability in hospitality and hotels, innovation of the logistics of supply and value chains demonstrates a committed approach across all processes. Some experts argue that local and human supply chains are the most sustainable and resilient ones. Businesses should encourage their stakeholders—associates,...

SINGAPORE—Accor is partnering with SOURCE Global, PBC to bring the world’s first truly sustainable bottled drinking water brand to prominent hotels in Singapore. With people, societies, and communities at the heart of its strategy, and a history of embracing innovation and environmentally friendly business practices, Accor will replace single-use plastic bottled water at key hotels in Singapore with premium drinking water packaged in reusable glass bottles and made by SOURCE Hydropanels—a ground-breaking solar-powered technology that harvests the pure, endlessly renewable water vapor in the air and transforms it into premium drinking water. Each Hydropanel can offset more than 50,000 plastic bottles...

CHISINAU, MOLDOVA—Moldova has taken an important step in its commitment to sustainability in the tourism industry through its recent partnership with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Promoting implementation of GSTC’s sustainability criteria will ensure that Moldova’s tourism sector is aligned with the industry’s highest global standards for sustainable tourism. This commitment was confirmed by signing a Partnership Agreement between the Moldovan Ministry of Culture, the government authority coordinating the tourism sector, and GSTC. This Partnership Agreement establishes a cooperation framework for developing a sustainable tourism industry in Moldova. The Republic of Moldova, a small country in eastern Europe located between Romania and Ukraine, has significant potential to develop as...

PUNTA MITA, MEXICO—A luxury tented resort as unique as nature itself, Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, Mexico is now welcoming guests to a world where the deep, green jungle is the backdrop for a personalized retreat. With just 15 luxury tents surrounded by 48 forested acres (19 hectares) on the edge of a private peninsula, Naviva is an adult-only sanctuary that harnesses nature to create an environment that fosters community, personal growth and appreciation for local heritage. Naviva awakens the intrinsic bond that humans have with nature through biophilic design—an architectural approach that immerses people in their natural surroundings. The transformative journey...

LAS VEGAS—The Asian Community Development Center (ACDC), Southern Nevada’s leading nonprofit organization serving the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, recently celebrated the grand opening of its Healthy Asians & Pacific Islanders (HAPI) Medical Center. Years in the making, the HAPI Medical Center provides primary health care services for the Las Vegas Valley’s AAPI community, with a 100 percent bilingual staff that can deliver care in Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Mandarin Chinese and more languages to come. Elected officials participating in the grand opening included Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak and First Lady Kathy Sisolak, as well as Congressman Steven Horsford, Congresswoman Susie...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Its most recent version was updated in February 2015, but the EPA’s Safer Choice Standard remains a go to standard for suppliers seeking a Safer Choice label for their products. According to EPA, “When consumers see the Safer Choice label on a product, they can be confident that the ingredients have been through a rigorous EPA review. The label means that EPA scientists have evaluated every ingredient in the product to ensure it meets Safer Choice’s stringent criteria.” In addition to meeting stringent safety criteria, every product with the Safer Choice label has met high standards of performance. That...

NEW YORK—Songtsam, an award-winning luxury boutique hotel collection and Destination Marketing Company, located in the Tibet and Yunnan Provinces of China announced the construction of Songtsam’s first zero-carbon hotel, the Songtsam Linka Retreat Lake Basong Tso located in Tibet. Expected to open in July 2023, the 120-room retreat will be Songtsam’s 16th and largest property. Founded in 2000 by Baima Duoji, Songtsam has always had a strong commitment to the preservation of the essence of Tibetan culture, as well as environmental conservation and sustainability by supporting the economic development of the local communities. In making the announcement, Duoji noted, “Songtsam Linka...

ROCKVILLE, MD.—Choice Hotels International, Inc.—one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors—has expanded its commitment to the Safe Stays by ReloShare alliance with the addition of Radisson Hotels Americas. The news follows Choice Hotels’ acquisition of the Radisson Hotels Americas in August 2022. In February 2022, Choice Hotels became one of the first hotel brands to work with Safe Stays by ReloShare, a booking platform and program that helps provide emergency lodging to victims of abuse and violence. With the addition of Radisson Hotels Americas, over 90 percent of Choice Hotels in the U.S. are now available for booking on the ReloShare platform,...

SAN FRANCISCO—National nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) and sustainability-driven hotel brand 1 Hotels announced the 2023 1 Hotels Fellowship at E2. This is the fifth year of the annual fellowship, which awards six young business leaders $20,000 each to execute projects that advance sustainability, clean energy, and environmental policies across America. This year’s projects include creating a clean energy justice toolkit; enhancing opportunity pathways for the clean energy workforce; creating a clean business playbook for the hotel and lodging industry; educational outreach to electrify ski resorts; building a virtual resource to help workers find clean economy jobs and producing resources to democratize access to...