LAS VEGAS—With their ubiquitous use of high-powered lights and equipment, it’s no big secret that casinos aren’t great for the environment. Indeed, one need only look to the de facto world capital of casino entertainment to see it: Casinos are responsible for 20 percent of all energy output in Las Vegas—a city of some 650,000 residents. Typically, game machines are responsible for about a third of electricity usage, with lighting accounting for a comparable amount. And though electricity is the most prominent factor in casino sustainability, areas including construction, heating, and water use can all account for a great deal of waste...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands and the Clean the World Foundation, a leader in global health dedicated to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and global sustainability, have announced the 2021 Drop by Drop Project grant recipients. The Project will fund work by The University of Saint Joseph Macao (USJ), Institute of Science and Environment to provide nature-based solutions to climate change and by Conservation International Singapore to develop a virtual learning series to engage young children on the importance of protecting the ocean and nature. Sands and Clean the World developed the Drop by Drop Project in 2019 to reinvest capital from Sands’ water stewardship savings into innovative...

BANGKOK—Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea will take guests on a journey into seldom-experienced nature, wildlife, and culture, setting new standards in sustainability and desert hospitality as Saudi Arabia drops its pin on the global tourism map. The Concept Untouched and enticing, this part of the world remains relatively unknown. In ancient times, however, it was a busy trading route, used by the Nabataeans to transport luxury goods like silk, incense and textiles. Along the way, they would set up camp and gather around the fire under a starlit night. In 106 CE, the Nabatean Empire was annexed by the...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton recently revealed its 2021 CEO Light & Warmth Award recipients, including 15 individuals and two teams receiving its inaugural team award. The CEO Light & Warmth Award celebrates team members who bring Hilton’s values to life and honor its purpose to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality. In 2021, hundreds of team members from Hilton’s global managed and franchise network were nominated by their colleagues. Finalists for Hilton’s highest form of team member recognition were selected by a committee of representatives from across the company with the 17 winners chosen by Hilton’s President and CEO,...

MUMBAI, INDIA—Six cutting-edge innovators have been selected to partner with Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), to pilot new cost-effective, climate-smart cooling technologies, as part of IFC’s TechEmerge program. The selected innovators are Paharpur Cooling Towers, IOTomation Ecotech, Green Efficient Solutions, Desiccant Rotors International, and Zenatix Solutions from India, and Elgressy Engineering Services from Israel. They will pilot their new space-cooling solutions at seven Taj hotels over the next 12 to 18 months, supported by a pool of up to $500,000 in total grant funding. IFC’s TechEmerge Sustainable Cooling Innovation Program, which is funded by the U.K. Government's International Climate Finance (ICF), matches...

TEMECULA, CALIF.—Pechanga Resort Casino announced it is increasing the minimum wages for all its hourly tipped and non-tipped Team Members, helping more than two-thirds of the workforce. The increases put Pechanga well-ahead of California’s current and 2022 minimum wage rate. The higher minimum rates include $17.00 per hour for non-tipped employees, an increase of $3.00 per hour based on current minimum wage and $2 over the 2022 rate. The new wage for tipped team members is $14 per hour (increase of $1.00 per hour based on current wages). Dealers will make $12.00 per hour (increase of $0.50 per hour...

DENHAM, U.K.—The ubiquitous bar counter can be found worldwide and while each one differs by design, locale, menu, and culture, its purpose is universal—the easy flow of drink and conversation. And it was brought to a shocking halt in 2020. Pandemic images of unfilled taps, empty glasses, and barstools collecting dust will forever be etched in the minds of those who work in hospitality, but so will the feeling of elation when they finally reopened for business. “For bars and restaurants around the world, the return of diners and drinkers in 2021 was a huge sigh of relief,” says Alex...

BANGKOK—Laamu Atoll has been designated as one of the planet’s Hope Spots by the international non-profit organization, Mission Blue. The Hope Spot designation highlights Laamu’s unique marine ecosystems and benefits they provide, along with the conservation work done by Six Senses Laamu and its partners within the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI) to protect them. Hope Spots are special places identified by Mission Blue’s scientific council as being critical to the health of the ocean. These areas are proven to hold significant ecological, economic, and cultural importance, and so hold the potential to reverse damage from negative human impacts. From its rich reefs,...

GULF BREEZE, FLA.—Innisfree Hotels’ corporate social responsibility program is called The Hive. Inspired by a line from the company’s namesake poem, “The Lake Isle of Innisfree,” The Hive is a busy place for the Innisfree family to connect with each other—and do good in the world. Since last August Hive activity has picked up thanks to the hiring of Brittney Barnett, Director of Sustainability. “Before I came on, Innisfree declared itself a triple bottom line company, but it was fragmented,” Barnett says. The Gulf Breeze, Fla.-based company, which owns most of the 22 hotels that it manages, participated in some...

NASHVILLE—The Hermitage Hotel, Nashville’s premier luxury hotel, announced the opening of Drusie & Darr by Jean-Georges, a new restaurant and bar by internationally celebrated chef and restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Drusie & Darr marks Jean-Georges’ first restaurant in the South and comes on the cusp of a property-wide revitalization after The Hermitage Hotel opened its doors nearly 112 years ago. Many times, throughout its history, The Hermitage Hotel has set the tone for dining in Nashville. Drusie & Darr now brings a fresh, modern dining destination to the city and a rejuvenated space from award-winning interior designer Thomas Juul-Hansen. “It’s an honor to be...