INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Knowing that traveling responsibly is top of mind for travelers according to Hilton’s latest Global Trends Report, “The 2022 Traveler: Emerging Trends and the Redefined Traveler, a Report from Hilton,” Hilton hotels around the world are prioritizing sustainability at the forefront of their operations as part of Hilton’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy, Travel with Purpose, to drive responsible travel and tourism globally. Hilton hotels around the world are catering to a new type of guest—the bees. A critical part of our ecosystem as natural pollinators for our gardens, parks, and communities, beekeeping helps protect their declining population. From...

KOHALA COAST, HAWAII—The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI) launched its tree planting partnership, creating Hawaii Island’s first carbon neutral resort, along with a new 100,000-tree Legacy Forest on-property at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. These trees will be planted over the following years and will significantly contribute to the restoration of some of Hawaii’s most important endemic species, preserving them long into the future. The inaugural planting of 150 Legacy Trees was completed by The Westin Hapuna staff in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day. “Forests are the most effective and immediately scalable carbon capture...

VAIL, COLO.—A stalwart of Colorado’s Vail Valley community, leading the way on everything from environmental sustainability to promoting employee education and literacy, Antlers at Vail hotel is also a longtime leader in providing friendly, personalized service that treats guests like family. Constructed in 1972, just 10 years after 10th Mountain Division Sgt. Pete Seibert and rancher Earl Eaton founded Vail Ski Resort, the Antlers at Vail announces the celebration of its golden 50th anniversary, extending from March 2022 through April 2023. An authentic “old Vail” favorite—with its enviable creek- and slope-side location in the family-friendly Lionshead neighborhood—the Antlers also shines as...

SINGAPORE—The invitation to participate in Greenview’s Green Lodging Trends Report 2022 is now open. The Green Lodging Trends Report (GLTR) is the leading global benchmarking study on sustainability best practices in hotels. The GLTR benchmarks hotels from around the world to understand which best practices are in place. Greenview invites hotels of all sizes, types, and locations to participate. By participating you will get a free benchmarking report and learn where your property is aligned with best practices, and where it is behind among peers locally and worldwide. You will discover new innovative practices that hotels are implementing and have...

LONDON—Zeal Hotels is planning a new hotel concept which follows sustainable principles from the build and throughout its operation to hopefully create a carbon net zero property. The company is in the process of acquiring a site for a 140+ room new build hotel and the group is targeting the U.K. for further growth opportunities. Tim Wheeldon, Managing Director, Zeal Hotels, said that the concept has been welcomed “with open arms by planning authorities and we are in discussions regarding several opportunities at the moment.” “We have been working on the idea of a sustainable hotel for over three years,” Wheeldon...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has adopted two new rules for light bulbs, also known as general service lamps, that will conserve energy and help consumers save on their energy bills. The first rule establishes a revised definition of general service lamps while the second implements the minimum standard of 45 lumens per watt for light bulbs that meet the revised definition. These rules are part of 100 energy efficiency actions the Biden Administration is completing this year. Once these light bulb rules are in place, DOE expects consumers to save nearly $3 billion per year on their utility bills....

MADRID, SPAIN—Meeting for a first extraordinary UNWTO General Assembly, Members debated the suspension of Russia from the Organization, as decided by the UNWTO Executive Council at its emergency meeting last month. The Russian delegation declined to step up and defend its position, and instead announced its withdrawal from UNWTO before the debate took place. The Assembly voted in favor of suspension, far exceeding the two-third majority required. The decision is effective immediately, while voluntary withdrawal is only effective one year after a Member submits an official communication through the appropriate channels. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “UNWTO’s Members have sent a clear message:...

ÖREBRO, SWEDEN—Scandic has now opened its third hotel in Örebro, in the middle of a vibrant urban development project. Scandic Örebro Central, which has 160 rooms on nine floors, is strategically located next to Örebro Central Station and nestled among corporate and government offices. The hotel will be a new hub for Örebro residents and visitors alike, and Scandic is the first business to open its doors in the new Örebro Entré area. From today, Scandic now offers 596 hotel rooms in Örebro, making it the largest hotel company in the city. Since turning the first sod in January 2020...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—Much of the global business travel industry has already made sustainable business travel a priority with a focus on reducing emissions and its environmental footprint. But the industry as well as external stakeholders, such as policymakers, recognize more needs to be done. These are just some of the insights from an extensive, landmark research study released—“The State of Sustainability in the Global Business Travel Sector”—from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s largest business travel association, and Grayling, a leading global public affairs and communications consultancy. The report reveals barriers to achieving more sustainable business travel include higher...

ST. JOHN, USVI—March 30 marked two years since the US Virgin Island’s Toxic Sunscreen Law went into effect, the country’s first and most far-reaching ban on sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene, which are devastating to coral, marine life, and human health. In recognition, a group of 20+ stakeholders including Senator Marvin A. Blyden, Senator Steven D. Payne Sr., VI National Park Superintendent Nigel Field, DLCA Commissioner Richard Evangelista, Frank Cummings of C.O.R.E., Lisa Hamilton of the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association; Kitty Edwards of DPNR, Oriel Blake of VI Professional Charter Association and three scientists specializing in coral:...