BAA ATOLL, MALDIVES—With the world-famous manta destination of Hanifaru Bay on its doorstep, Amilla Maldives Resort wanted to do more to help protect these magnificent creatures. So Amilla Maldives has teamed up with the Manta Trust, an NGO dedicated to protecting manta rays and the marine ecosystems they inhabit. Now, as a Manta Trust Responsible Operator hotel partner, Amilla is officially committed to minimizing the impact its guests have on the mantas and mobula rays they encounter. Manta Season runs from April to November in Baa Atoll, Maldives. Peak time is July, and when the lunar, tidal and weather conditions are perfect something magical happens in the...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—HRS announced that Marriott International is the latest global hotel supplier to agree to participate in the HRS Green Stay Initiative. Marriott, with its 30 brands and acknowledged status as a leader in corporate hospitality, recently committed to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2050, joining the Race to Zero, and work with its broad range of suppliers, franchisees, and partners to enhance the practices in place today to reduce their environmental footprint. “HRS’ Green Stay Initiative provides another avenue for us to meet the needs of our stakeholders to publicly and transparently report on our sustainability metrics...

NATIONAL REPORT—Solar Energy is riddled with many myths, so let’s tackle some of these myths and expose the truth behind them. Here are 11 solar energy myths that if conquered, will make you energy wiser. Myth #1 Giant Solar Corporations Are the Only Solar Authority When we think of solar, quite often, large companies probably come to mind. But while big conglomerates have high-quality products, it’s important to know that other local companies have competitive quality as well. Looking at more than one solar company will allow you the options to compare quality products and best pricing. Knowing what to look...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The International Code Council, the world’s largest developer of model building codes and standards, announced the publication of a new educational resource on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and building codes titled Electric Vehicles and Building Codes: A Strategy for Greenhouse Gas Reductions. This is the first in a series of resources set to be published with the aim of supporting communities in achieving greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals in a safe and efficient manner. The framework presents solutions already implemented by jurisdictions which have chosen to enact policies aimed at supporting increased EV deployment. The model language presented in...

NEW YORK—Highgate, a leader in global real estate investment with more than 65,000 hotel rooms under management, recently announced an upgrade to 100 percent renewable electricity, beginning with a majority of its select service properties as well as 17 full-service hotels. The initiative will be certified by Green-e Energy, the nation’s leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy. “We’re determined to be part of the solution to address climate change. According to the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, the hotel industry needs to reduce its carbon emissions per room by 90 percent by 2050 to keep the industry within UN...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Sustainable travel continues to be an opportunity in the industry and for travelers, with many sensitive to the impact travel can have on local environments, economies and the individuals that call these destinations home. In 2019, Expedia Group partnered with UNESCO and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to launch the first chapter of the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge. Since then, The UNESCO Pledge has quickly expanded, with major chains such as Accor and Iberostar signing on, fostering unique connections across the travel industry to create a travel ecosystem which supports sustainable tourism. The UNESCO Pledge now has 4,200...

NEW ORLEANS—The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center regularly hosts conferences, tradeshows, sporting events, and even glamorous high-profile events such as charity galas and Carnival balls. But now they are talking trash. The Convention Center recently completed their first ever Event Waste Audit, in pursuit of a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification. During the Specialty Coffee Expo on October 1, Convention Center employees (dubbed “The Trash Team”) went through over 400 pounds of a representative sample of waste materials to evaluate how well the building is diverting materials from landfills. A mix of trash, recycling, and composting...

NEW YORK—In keeping with its ongoing commitment to be an industry leader in the area of sustainable and responsible travel, Ensemble Travel Group has partnered with Trees4Travel. Through this “business for good” partnership, the travel agency consortia will work with the organization that creates “Planet & People Positive Travel” programs to rewild the world through the creation of new forests in support of impoverished communities. As the first U.S. travel agency consortia to partner with Trees4Travel, Ensemble’s member agencies will be able to offer their clients an opportunity to support its mission to help convert islands around the world from expensive and carbon generating fuel,...

AMSTERDAM—Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel platforms, announced the inaugural launch of its Travel Sustainable badge, a credible, globally relevant sustainability measure that will provide highly coveted information to travelers all over the world looking to make more sustainable travel choices. The badge is available to any kind of property that has implemented a combination of sustainable practices that meet the requisite impact threshold for their destination. Designed to be applicable to a wide range of property types, from apartments, B&Bs and holiday homes to hotels, resorts and even treehouses, and adaptable to local realities and considerations,...

BANGKOK—Encompassing three private islands—two deserted neighboring islands and Kanuhura itself—this laid-back retreat is the epitome of white sands, turquoise lagoons, lush tropical greenery and gently swaying palm trees to doze under. This second collaboration with Singapore-based Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) will adopt the Six Senses brand in late 2022 as a northerly sister to the popular Six Senses Laamu. Until then, it is available for bookings through www.kanuhura-maldives.com and www.ihg.com. When it adopts the Six Senses brand, the resort will offer 80 private overwater, beach and spacious family villas offering sunset or sunrise views. A 40-minute seaplane flight from the main international airport...