COSTA RICA—Managed by Aqua-Aston Hospitality, Botánika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton, a premier eco-resort is now open. Located beside two of Costa Rica’s most prized natural jewels—Corcovado National Park and the Pacific Ocean’s Golfo Dulce—Botánika Osa Peninsula is set across 21 acres of lush flora and fauna. The resort provides travelers an unspoiled rainforest escape with well-appointed residence accommodations, upscale dining outlets, a 100-seat event space, along with rainforest-inspired experiences at the resort’s Clubhouse, neighboring Crocodile Bay Marina and the new Botánika Science and Nature Center. Activity guides curate unforgettable recreation experiences and excursions throughout the Osa Peninsula. Guests...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Seal recently announced a prohibition on any per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in all Green Seal-certified cleaning and personal care products. Products certified to Green Seal’s updated standards will be verified to be PFAS-free and to meet one of the highest benchmarks for safety and environmental protection in the marketplace, the group announced. Green Seal’s standards have prohibited long-chain PFAS formally classified as hazardous. However, a growing body of evidence indicates that short-chain PFAS have the same harmful health and environmental effects as the legacy PFAS they are replacing. Green Seal’s updated cleaning and personal care product standards now prohibit...

ATLANTA—ASHRAE issued a position document on building decarbonization and its role in mitigating the negative carbon impact of buildings on the environment. ASHRAE Position Document on Building Decarbonization presents the Society’s positions and recommendations for achieving a reduction in emissions through the renovation of existing building stock and improvements to new building designs. “Building decarbonization encompasses a building’s entire life cycle, including building design, construction, operation, occupancy and end of life,” said 2022-23 ASHRAE President Farooq Mehboob, Fellow ASHRAE. “ASHRAE is leading the charge in accelerating the mitigation of carbon resulting from energy use in the built environment by providing this roadmap to further our...

MALE, MALDIVES—Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort is playing a key role in gathering and sharing information on whale sharks, manta rays and sea turtles with conservation groups in the Maldives. The tracking and reporting process, led by the resort’s marine biologist, Lynn Jula Kessler, shows that populations of whale sharks and manta rays in the South Ari Atoll around Outrigger Maldives are stable or doing well. However, there is more concern about critically endangered sea turtles, which often get ensnared in fishing nets traveling between their nesting grounds in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. On whale sharks, Outrigger Maldives is cooperating with...

MADRID, SPAIN—Palladium Hotel Group continues to reinforce its firm commitment to sustainability with a structured approach to three fundamental areas: the environment, the circular economy and the social sphere. The hotel group, which is present in six countries around the world, has announced new advances in all its hotels globally, including: advocating renewable energies, the reduction of plastics, and a focus on working and supporting local producers. Responsible Use of Energy Regarding energy management, Palladium Hotel Group has been committed to the responsible use of resources and the reduction of its environmental impact. In Spain, 100 percent of the energy consumed in all...

KINGSTON, JAMAICA—The Tourism Enhancement (TEF) has invested approximately $6.9 million in this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day initiative, which is spearheaded locally by the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET). Speaking at the launch of the event on August 19, in Port Royal, Jamaica, TEF’s Executive Director, Dr. Carey Wallace, stated that the partnership with JET not only improves the island's tourism product but also encourages a behavioral change in the people that is required to combat pollution in the long run. “The assets of Jamaica, from a tourism perspective, its natural beauty and, obviously, it makes sense for us to invest...

PHILADELPHIA—AKA University City recently launched a new “gardening program amongst the clouds.” Set atop the building’s exclusive Level 28 overlooking the Philadelphia skyline, this new amenity will be the city’s tallest communal herb garden, rising over 400 feet in the sky. Custom-made garden boxes have been installed and will be available for residents to help plant, maintain, and use for personal cooking or cocktails in their full kitchens—giving residents and guests yet another sense of home during their stay at AKA, the world’s most livable hotels. Herbs such as mint, basil, rosemary, thyme, and more will also be harvested and...

CHICAGO—As inflation, supply chain challenges, labor issues, and increased food costs bedevil operators, many are seeking ways to control expenses. Reducing back-of-the-house food waste is one of them. From using technology to track the amount of waste they produce to monitoring how much food they purchase to using up the ingredients stored in their pantries and walk-ins, restaurateurs are getting more creative about operating more efficiently. Swapping Supplies Chad Langston, District Manager for a Zaxby’s franchise in Clarkesville, Ga., says his group of 12 stores controls costs by communicating regularly and swapping supplies. Each store purchases what they need, and then trades and shares...

DENHAM, U.K.—IHG Hotels & Resorts announced a new sponsorship and partnership with UK Black Pride, Europe’s largest celebration for LGBTQI+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern-descent. Led by IHG’s employee network for ethnic diversity, EMbrace, IHG Hotels & Resorts will also partner with the organization to promote and educate on the safe expression and celebration of identities and cultures. Yasmin Diamond and Karin Sheppard, Co-Executive Sponsors, EMbrace employee network, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “At IHG Hotels & Resorts we’re proud that our commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) is at the beating heart of our...

CHATTANOOGA, TENN.—Luxury accommodations provider Bolt Farm Treehouse announced availability for the nation’s first Invisible Cabin accommodations. In addition to its luxuriously appointed domes and treehouses (featured on Netflix’s “The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals”), Bolt Farm’s new mountainside Invisible Cabins feature mirrored-glass facades to provide guests with whimsical, if not mind-blowing travel experiences. In keeping with Bolt Farm’s sustainable, low-impact tourism model and its mission to help guests feel “immersed in nature, and surrounded by comfort,” Invisible Cabins stretch this concept to the next level by “disappearing” into their surroundings both inside and out, providing total privacy and unencumbered panoramic views...