MALDIVES—Award-winning Brazilian chef and restaurateur, Manoella “Manu” Buffara, has launched a new pop-up restaurant at Soneva Fushi, the pioneering barefoot luxury resort in the Maldives. Located at Fresh in the Garden, a treetop dining destination that overlooks the resort’s extensive organic island gardens, the 12-month pop-up is based on the concept of transformation and offers guests a rare opportunity to dine with one of Latin America’s most exciting culinary talents. Recently named Latin America’s Best Female Chef by the World’s 50 Best, Chef Manu is the Executive Chef and owner of her eponymous restaurant, Manu. Paving the way for gastronomy...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced Responsible Stay, an industry-wide commitment to make meetings, events and guest experiences in America’s hotels more environmentally and socially responsible. Responsible Stay is focused on prioritizing hotels’ environmental sustainability efforts in four key areas: Energy efficiency: optimizing energy efficiency through operational improvements and adoption of clean energy technologies Waste reduction: investing in waste reduction programs and new, innovative alternatives to reduce, reuse and recycle waste across properties Water conservation: ensuring the reduction of water usage by implementing water-efficient practices in core areas like laundry, food and beverage, and landscaping Responsible sourcing...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International has partnered with Grant a Gift Autism Foundation-Ackerman Center (GGAF) on a new vocational job placement program, providing training and MGM Resorts employment opportunities to individuals with autism. As part of the partnership, MGM Resorts has pledged $1 million to expand the program over the next five years. National data shows that most autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed and experience substantial challenges to attaining competitive employment opportunities. The program helps ensure that teens and adults with autism are provided the support necessary to gain meaningful employment. “As the largest private employer in Nevada, we have a responsibility to contribute...

SACRAMENTO, CALIF.—The California Hotel & Lodging Association honored 11 hospitality leaders and four outstanding properties during its annual Stars of the Industry Awards Gala. “Each winner has demonstrated sustained excellence and a passion for hospitality that inspires all of us,” said Lynn S. Mohrfeld, President & CEO of CHLA. “Our heartfelt congratulations and thanks to every participant who daily makes the California lodging experience the best in the world.” Hundreds of outstanding hotel employees were nominated by industry leaders throughout California. Three finalists were selected for each category, with CHLA judges selecting the winners based on their outstanding and unique contributions to their properties, to...

LAS VEGAS—Earlier this year, Sands released its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, which detailed plans for its corporate responsibility program for the next five years, including three new ambitions the company aims to achieve by 2025. Under the program’s Communities pillar, Sands aims to contribute 150,000 Team Member volunteer hours as its key focus for accelerating impact in local regions over the next five years. Team Member volunteerism is a key tenet of Sands’ culture and one of the primary ways the company helps its regions maintain their strength and resiliency and address critical social issues. Sands provides Team...

MCLEAN, VA.—As Hilton’s primary philanthropic arm, the Hilton Global Foundation announced its commitment to grant nearly $2 million towards organizations whose efforts support destination stewardship, climate action, career development and community resilience. Funds will be distributed across the Hilton Global Foundation’s annual grantees and to various nonprofit organizations who have demonstrated a meaningful commitment to preserving the destinations where they operate. “There has never been a more important time to support efforts towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient world. The Hilton Global Foundation is uniquely positioned to support global efforts to protect communities and the planet while contributing to a...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled groundbreaking new data detailing the climate footprint of the global Travel & Tourism sector. The findings were launched at the global tourism body’s 22nd Global Summit in Riyadh by the World Travel & Tourism Council and the Saudi-based Sustainable Global Tourism Center. In a world-first, this comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with the latest figures. During her opening speech Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC announced the findings of the Environmental & Social Research (ESR). In one of the largest research...

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF.—Soul Community Planet (SCP) announced a new partnership with the Boardriders Foundation and SeaTrees as part of its Every Stay Does Good program. Through Every Stay Does Good, SCP’s guests help to make the world a better place through special programs that advance the values of wellness, social good and sustainability. With the announcement, SCP will plant one SeaTree—or kelp—each time a guest stays at the SCP Seven4One Hotel or the Laguna Riviera Hotel. The program will help restore the marine ecosystem along the Southern California Coast and foster positive climate change. “We are honored to partner with Boardriders Foundation...

LONDON—Leading digital travel platform Booking.com announced an array of new product features in celebration of the one-year anniversary of its Travel Sustainable program, introduced in 2021 to provide travelers with transparent and credible information to make more mindful choices for their trips. With the ongoing aim to recognize the efforts of a wide range of property types to operate more sustainably and to provide travelers with consistent and easy-to-understand information, the company is introducing three distinct badge levels to the Travel Sustainable program. The new levels have been designed to clearly demonstrate a broader spectrum of where different accommodations are...

UNCASVILLE, CONN.—Newsweek announced its annual rankings for the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces list, and Mohegan was ranked 68. The 2022 Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces are the result of a collaboration with the Best Practice Institute (BPI), a leadership development and benchmark research company. The results were determined after surveying more than 1.4 million team members from businesses with workforces varying in size from 50 to more than 10,000. The list recognizes companies that put respect, caring, and appreciation for their team members at the center of their business model and, in doing so, have earned the loyalty and...