SPRINGFIELD, MASS.—MGM Springfield recently hosted U.S. Green Building Council CEO & President Mahesh Ramanujam, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and other government and community leaders for an Earth Day ceremony celebrating the resort’s multiple certifications under the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. MGM Springfield is the first private sector hospitality development to earn LEED Neighborhood Development certification at the site level. This recognition was partly earned due to MGM’s decision to convert a brownfield site hit by a tornado in 2011 and create a human-scale, compact and walkable development with...

CLEARWATER, FLA.—Winter the Dolphin’s Beach Club, Clearwater’s first eco-friendly hotel inspired by the resilient star of the Dolphin Tale movies, Winter the Dolphin, announced the addition of all-new family-friendly amenities and on-site educational opportunities through the hotel’s unique partnership with Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA)—Winter’s home sweet home. Furthering CMA’s mission of marine rescue, rehabilitation, and release, Winter the Dolphin’s Beach Club now proudly offers permanent, on-site educational opportunities through a designated interactive Education Room, featuring a Lego table, Dolphin Tale memorabilia, marine-themed books, and reading area, as well as interactive tablet stations with CMA educational content, Kids’ Activity Guides available at the front desk, and a mock sea turtle nest....

NEW YORK—New research released from Booking.com, containing insights gathered from more than 29,000 travelers across 30 countries, suggests that the pandemic has been the tipping point for travelers to finally commit to their own sustainable journey, with 63 percent of U.S. travelers believing people must act now to save the planet for future generations. As the world of travel starts to open up again, Booking.com’s 2021 Sustainable Travel Report reveals that American travelers are more committed than ever to do so in a mindful way, with just under half (46 percent) stating that the pandemic has influenced them to want to...

BANGKOK—As part of an ambitious Plastic Free 2022 strategy to remove and avoid all virgin plastic materials from its hotel and spa operations, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas is the first hospitality brand to collaborate with the United States Coalition on Sustainability and SustainChain. This follows a partnership with the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative signed in 2020 to work with suppliers to seek safer alternatives and address the root causes of plastic pollution. SustainChain is a change engine to drive unprecedented action and progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Championing the value of collaboration, SustainChain connects the global...

MIAMI—The latest research compiled by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals that more than two million jobs could be created if international travel reopens before the busy summer period. However, if current restrictions continue and international travel is not allowed to resume at a greater capacity over the next few months, WTTC warns that the potential U.S. job recovery will be cut in half, to only one million generated. WTTC’s latest economic modeling found that $105 billion in the U.S.’s Travel & Tourism sector contribution to the national economy is at stake should travel not resume. WTTC fears that if immediate steps...

BETHESDA, MD.—Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s 30 brands and a global hospitality leader in wellness for more than a decade, unveiled a new global study that shows the impact of running and recovery during the pandemic as a means for self-care, just in time for Global Running Day. With 45 percent of respondents saying that focusing on their well-being has given them a new lease on life, Westin is evolving its industry-leading well-being program to bring world-class recovery solutions to travelers’ fingertips as travel starts to resume. Westin has joined forces with Hyperice, the expert in recovery technology...

TEMECULA, CALIF.—Pechanga Resort Casino recently celebrated its generous team members who took time out of their days to roll up their sleeves and give blood. A total of 86 team members each donated a pint of blood. According to LifeStream Blood Bank, one pint of blood can save up to three lives and the donation of 86 pints means up to 258 people could be helped through the initiative. Pechanga Resort Casino typically hosts two blood drives for its employees and the public each year. Both events were canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19. Pechanga’s leadership is grateful to be...

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA—Sandals Resorts International (SRI), parent company of luxury all-inclusive resort brands Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, is making it easy for visitors to celebrate World Oceans Day today and all year long. Through its not-for-profit Sandals Foundation, guests of SRI resorts throughout the Caribbean can help hatch turtles, learn to rebuild dying reefs and curtail invasive marine species. “As guests return to enjoy our beautiful Caribbean, World Oceans Day is a reminder that its beauty and health is our responsibility,” says SRI Executive Chairman and The Sandals Foundation Founder and President, Adam Stewart. “Over the next ten years, we have promised to...

WAKIKI BEACH, HI—Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach recently announced the launch of a new sustainable food and cocktail happy hour series, Earth to Cup. The Earth centered menu created by Chef Frederic Hoffmann features crave-worthy, small bites reflective of bounty home to Hawaii complemented by cocktails handcrafted in partnership with Gastronomista blogger Emily Arden Wells. The intimate atmosphere on the SWELL rooftop will be set with DJs spinning and palm trees swaying. Inspired by the four Earth elements of land, sea, air and fire, environmentalism and locality are the focal point of the menu: Land—Molokai Venison Meatballs—Locally hunted ground Venison from...

NATIONAL REPORT—Silicone roof coating, also referred to as silicone restoration membrane, is an element that is applied directly on a roof using a special roof coating spray equipment made of silicone. The substance in the spray fills any cracks, seams, and blisters, thus extending the lifespan of a roof. But is silicone roof coating any good? How long does silicone roof coating last? Does roof coating stop any leaks? What are the advantages of silicone roof coating? This coating process is not for underlayment, but it is an excellent additional layer against the elements and climate. Is Silicone Roof Coating...