WASHINGTON, D.C.—The JW Marriott Washington, DC announced, during Environmental Awareness Month, that the hotel has been awarded a Gold level LEED certification for Building Operations and Maintenance. LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence in green building. The JW Marriott Washington, DC is also expected to receive the Energy Star award in late September. The LEED Certification achievement, along with JW Marriott Washington, DC’s energy conservation awards, achievements, and efforts, such as using solar energy,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Nearly all hotels are experiencing staffing shortages, according to a new member survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Eighty-seven percent of survey respondents indicated they are experiencing a staffing shortage, 36 percent severely so. The most critical staffing need is housekeeping, with 43 percent ranking it as their biggest challenge. Those numbers are slightly better than in May, when 97 percent of respondents to an AHLA member survey said they were short staffed, 49 percent severely so, with 58 percent ranking housekeeping as their biggest challenge. Hotels are offering potential hires a host of incentives to fill vacancies—81 percent...

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF.—AutoCamp Hospitality Group is launching a new lodging brand, Field Station, an inspiring and inclusive modern lodging brand for the active outdoor community. Designed as the ultimate experience from affordable accommodations to easy exploration, Field Station offers several room types, onsite guides, turnkey outdoor equipment rentals and retail, educational programming, DIY or guided experiences, an espresso cafe, and biergarten. Both guests and the community at large can enjoy lodging amenities and programming. Field Station is upcycling and renovating existing lodges and motels in prime outdoor destinations to provide inclusive, supportive, and sustainable basecamps for exploring nearby natural areas. The first...

NATIONAL REPORT—Hotels are stepping up their efforts to give back to local communities in response to increasing pressure from travelers, looking beyond environmental commitments when it comes to doing good. From collaborations with local minority-owned and female-owned businesses in the U.S., to donating bedding to homeless shelters in the Nordics, social-value initiatives are moving up the agenda. “Silence is no longer an option. Employees and guests want to know where the leadership of these companies stand on social issues, while longer term institutional investors are demanding more socially conscious investments,” says JLL’s Global CEO of Hotels & Hospitality, Gilda Perez-Alvarado. A recent...

MENDOZA, ARGENTINA—Argentina’s renowned female winemaker, Susana Balbo, has opened her first hotel, SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites, in the famed wine region of Mendoza. After four decades dedicated to the wine industry and international recognitions, Balbo created the bespoke estate and luxury boutique hotel with her daughter, Ana Lovaglio Balbo. The hotel features a sense of place as well as the hostesses’ authentic wine roots in everything from design, décor, and setting to culinary experiences, art, wellness, and nature. It’s also about exclusivity. Guests will feel as if they’re staying in a private estate, where Susana and Ana become...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the final approval by the U.S. Department of Transportation for all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to begin construction on a nationwide network of EV charging stations: “The action today by the DOT approving a nationwide network of EV charging stations is a major step forward in making travel in the U.S. more sustainable. This investment will lead to the ability to travel anywhere across the U.S. by electric vehicle with greater confidence, ensuring America’s roadways connect rural...

NATIONAL REPORT—The worsening effects of climate change have made decarbonization a top priority for many industries, including global travel and tourism, which accounts for between 8 and 11 percent of the world’s emissions. If nothing is done, the sector’s carbon emissions will only rise as it grows. Travel activity is expected to soar by 85 percent from 2016 to 2030. As more consumers, employees, regulators, and investors consider reducing their trips, they are also ramping up the pressure for the sector to reduce its carbon emissions. In response, more travel companies have pledged to reach net zero. But obstacles stand in...

LOUIS, MO.—For property owners and facility managers, premature roof failure equals unexpected and often significant expenses. According to Bob Gender, Region Manager at Western Specialty Contractors, the neglect of preventative maintenance is often the cause of premature roof failure. “Roofing materials such as BUR, TPO, EPDM, PVC, Modified Bitumen and even green roofs can be vulnerable to environmental stressors such as organic debris, growing vegetation or ponding water,” said Gender. “Other contributors to premature roof failure may include poor craftsmanship, improper flashing, clogged or leaking downspouts, or damage by other contractors.” When roofs are not maintained properly, open seams, splits, blistering,...

MCLEAN, VA.—As part of its ongoing commitment to create learning and career growth opportunities in the communities where it operates, Hilton has announced it will hire 1,500 additional refugees over the next three years at its managed and franchised properties across the U.S. The hospitality company made the announcement during its participation in the Tent Foundation U.S. Business Summit in New York. The summit brings together corporations with the goal of hiring and economically integrating refugees in the U.S., including recently arrived Afghan and Ukrainian refugees, during the next three years. “Creating a place where all are welcome is a part of Hilton’s...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) has reported that the Arc performance platform is now tracking more than seven billion square feet of project space in nearly 140 countries, an increase of 1.4 billion square feet over the last 12 months. This makes Arc among the largest databases of building performance in the world. “Reaching seven billion square feet of space using Arc is a significant milestone,” said Peter Templeton, interim President, and CEO, GBCI and Arc. “This underscores the rapidly growing commitment of building owners and operators worldwide to tracking, reporting, and verifying performance as critical steps towards minimizing...