NATIONAL REPORT—Eleven states have enacted laws that ban PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in food packaging in response to concerns about potential health risks. Another seven states have proposed similar bans—and more states are expected to follow. A recent Restaurant Law Center webinar explores what restaurant operators need to know about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging. The webinar, “Outlook on PFAS in 2023,” is available to watch on demand. It features a panel of experts from the international law firm Steptoe. Laura Abshire, Director of Food and Sustainability Policy for the National Restaurant Association, moderates. PFAS is a large, diverse group of human-made...

LOS CABOS, MEXICO—For nearly two decades, Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resorts—now joined by Quivira Los Cabos—have aided a turtle protection and hatchling release program, boosting the survival rate of an endangered reptile that’s vital to the region’s ecosystem. But what happened last fall was truly something special. “The arrival of the olive ridley turtle occurs in Mexico on the Pacific coast, in the States of Oaxaca and Michoacán, and here in Baja California Sur,” explains Carlos Villalobos, Manager of Pueblo Bonito’s Sea Turtle Protection Program. “What happened last fall in Los Cabos in the Bay of Cabo San Lucas...

OTTAWA, ONT—For more than 20 years, the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Key Eco-Rating program, run by Green Key Global, has been evolving to keep up with changing trends, technologies, operational practices, standards and expectations. According to Rebecca Bartlett-Jones, Manager, Business Development, Green Key Global, the Eco-Rating program is about to evolve again with a new version of the hotel certification program set to launch on February 1. While previously mostly a North America-centric program, moving forward it will be entirely North America-centric. Already recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Green Key Global is working toward accredited certification...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The AHLA Foundation raised a record $1.2 million at its 5th annual gala to celebrate winners and up and coming hospitality super stars, while raising funds to support the AHLA Foundation programs that are helping the industry recruit and retain the stars of tomorrow. Each year, the Night of a Thousand Stars gala celebrates the hotel industry’s most important VIPs—the property-level talent that makes the industry so unique. Throughout the evening, industry leaders commemorated the 2023 Stars of the Industry Award winners and the individuals that embody the spirit of hospitality, while raising critical funds to support Foundation programs. “The Night of...

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF.—Soul Community Planet (SCP), the holistic hospitality company founded on the values of wellness, social good and sustainability, announced it has reached several milestones in its efforts to make regenerative travel a reality. These include achieving its company-wide Net Zero Waste goal for 2022, receiving a new EarthCheck benchmark, and launching the new Pristine Playa program on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. SCP Exceeds 2022 Net Zero Waste Goal In 2022, SCP achieved superior waste efficiency, with an estimated one pound of landfill waste generated per occupied room—less than half of the estimated industry average. Over the same period, SCP’s...

GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA—In 2006, the innovators behind a car-free town aspired to create a better way of life connecting people to nature in a place where 1,000 acres of a 1,200-acre property would remain undeveloped as a tropical dry forest reserve. After 16 years of planning and construction, that vision is now a reality with the completion of the neighborhood of Beach Town in Las Catalinas. Referred to as one of the most important and beautiful new towns in the world by renowned Notre Dame School of Architecture Professor Douglas Duany, Las Catalinas is located in the northwestern province of Costa Rica. Inspired...

LAS VEGAS—Sands has made addressing food waste a top priority and set an ambitious target to prevent, donate or divert 25 percent of food waste by 2025. Food waste intersects multiple key environmental and social issues including biodiversity loss, climate change and food insecurity that are integral components of both the Sands ECO360 and Sands Cares global programs. “Sands’ commitment to reduce food waste is guided by our intent to both minimize food going to landfill and maximize the value of food produced,” said Katarina Tesarova, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability officer. “We’ve made significant progress to reduce our...

FRANKLIN, TENN.—Southall Franklin, a farm-based resort, has officially opened its doors. Set on a working farm dedicated to education and exploration, Southall encompasses over 325 acres of Middle Tennessee hillside, creating a unique escape dedicated to saluting the agricultural heritage of the region, while advancing innovative practices for a sustainable future. Southall features 62 guestrooms and suites, along with 16 stand-alone cottages; a spa; a wealth of farm, wellness, and adventure activities, and a signature restaurant and culinary program led by Executive Chef Andrew Klamar and Senior Vice President of Culinary and Agriculture Tyler Brown. “The first seeds for Southall...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its annual ranking of U.S. states leading the way on green building, with Massachusetts topping the list. The USGBC ranking is based on LEED-certified gross square footage per capita over the past year. The LEED rating system is the world’s most widely used green building program and was created by USGBC as a leadership standard defining best practices for healthy, high-performing green buildings. “It was a strong year for LEED certifications across the U.S. as companies and governments embrace LEED as a tool for meeting ESG goals and organizational commitments to climate...

MADRID, SPAIN—A major new report by World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Trip.com Group, together with Deloitte, reveals a heightened appetite for sustainable tourism amongst consumers, with 69 percent of travelers actively seeking sustainable travel options. In this follow-up report, WTTC joined forces again with leading global travel service provider, Trip.com Group and its major consumer brands Trip.com, Ctrip and Skyscanner, with additional data sourced from Deloitte, to analyze the trends that shaped the Travel & Tourism sector last year and will continue to do so over 2023. The report, “A world in motion: shifting consumer travel trends in 2022 and beyond”, shows...