DENHAM, ENGLAND—IHG Hotels & Resorts has launched Journey to Tomorrow, a series of ambitious new commitments to make a positive difference for people, communities and planet over the next decade. Guided by IHG’s purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good, it will work side by side with those who stay, work and partner with it, to help shape the future of responsible travel—supporting people and making a positive difference to local communities, while preserving the planet’s beauty and diversity long into the future. In an open letter, IHG’s CEO, Keith Barr, said that the global response to Covid-19 has shown what can be achieved when organizations...

BUENA VISTA, FLA.—Eight decades after McDonald’s restaurant revolutionized a speedier way to prepare and serve meals, the fast-food giant is once again setting new standards in the industry, laying the groundwork for a more ecologically responsible place to dine. The façade of the 8,000-square-foot McDonald’s at Disney World in Buena Vista, Fla., not only appears strikingly different than its traditional restaurant chain, but every segment of the building has been meticulously designed to create the world’s first “net-zero” fast food restaurant. “It’s McDonald’s goal to reduce its carbon emissions across its portfolio,” said Jean Gibbons, WSP USA Buildings Vice President. “McDonald’s...

FORT LEE, N.J.—Even before COVID-19 there was an “ick” factor when it came to touching public door handles, handrails, elevator buttons, and other high-touch areas. Today? These areas are of course of much greater concern. Back in 2018, Zeynep “Z” Ekemen, one of the inventers and current Managing Partner of Silver Defender, recognized the need for some type of antimicrobial protection on high-touch areas. “We wanted to create the next Purell,” she says. Ekemen and her colleagues developed chemical-free Silver Defender antimicrobial protected film that can be applied to any high-touch surface. Silver Defender’s technology is activated by light, air...

SHANGHAI, CHINA—Marriott International, Inc. announced the highly-anticipated opening of JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Fengxian, marking the historic 50th Marriott International hotel to open in Shanghai. Located on Hangzhou Bay in the city’s Fengxian seaside district, just an hour’s drive south of metropolitan Shanghai, the new hotel promises to be a sophisticated and luxurious sanctuary designed to let guests relax and rediscover a sense of balance in mind and body, as well as a convenient gateway to Shanghai and nearby cities such as Hangzhou and Suzhou. “We are delighted to celebrate the opening of the 50th property in Shanghai, a testament...

BETHESDA, MD.—It is with profound sadness that Marriott International announces that Arne M. Sorenson, President and CEO, unexpectedly passed away on February 15, 2021. In May 2019, the company announced that Sorenson had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. On February 2, 2021, Marriott shared the news that Sorenson would temporarily reduce his schedule to facilitate more demanding treatment for pancreatic cancer. Sorenson became the third CEO in Marriott’s history in 2012, and the first without the Marriott surname. A visionary leader, Sorenson put the company on a strong growth trajectory that included the $13 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels &...

LAS VEGAS—Caesars Entertainment, Inc., the largest gaming and entertainment company in the United States, shares prestigious recognition for its leadership and efforts in corporate social responsibility. In an unprecedented year with many setbacks, Caesars Entertainment met the challenges of 2020 with determination and proudly provided support to its Team Members and communities it serves. “We often talk about the power our incredible Team Members have to create guest experiences that drive our lasting successes at Caesars Entertainment,” said Tom Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, Inc. “That same power is amplified in their commitment not just to guests, partners, and the...

SNOWMASS VILLAGE, COLO.—Snowmass Base Village (SBV) introduces the all-electric and appropriately named Electric Pass Lodge. Designed to be 100 percent powered by renewable energy, this development will be one of the first of its kind in the country. The building will include 53 ski-in/ski-out, for-sale residences at the base of the iconic Snowmass Ski Area. “If you own a home at a ski resort, you’re inherently invested in the preservation of snow,” says Andy Gunion, Roaring Fork Valley Managing Partner for East West Partners. “Nobody wants their ski home to contribute to climate change, but the reality is most do—either...

NEEDHAM, MASS.—Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel platform, in partnership with Newton-Wellesley Hospital, announced the use of its temporarily unoccupied global corporate headquarters in Needham, Mass. as a community vaccination center for eligible Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Mass General Brigham patients starting on February 3, 2021. Vaccine recipients must fall within the appropriate distribution groups set forth by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts public health guidelines for the COVID-19 vaccine distribution, as well as current Newton-Wellesley Hospital or Mass General Brigham patients. Details available here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-distribution-timeline-phase-overview#phase-1-. Newton-Wellesley Hospital will manage the vaccine program and plans to operate seven days a week to maximize patient...

SINGAPORE—Park Hotel Group, a leading hospitality company in Asia Pacific, announced the launch of its Room For Trees program in partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects (Eden), a nonprofit organization that is committed to reforestation and ecological restoration by working with people in their local communities to restore their forests. Through Room For Trees, Park Hotel Group will plant a tree for every booking made with its portfolio of hotels via their website. The partnership with Eden supports the mangrove reforestation project in Biak Island, Indonesia, which involves collaborating with local villagers of Biak to replant, restore and protect their wetland...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A new survey conducted by Morning Consult and commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) shows consumers are optimistic about traveling again in 2021, with 56 percent reporting they are likely to travel for vacation this year. That represents a significant decline from pre-pandemic levels, when approximately 70 percent of Americans took a vacation in any given year, according to OmniTrak (TNS) data. Since the onset of the pandemic, just 21 percent of survey respondents reported traveling for vacation or leisure, and only 28 percent reported staying in hotel. Prior to the pandemic, 58 percent of survey...