PALMA, SPAIN—Hotelbeds, the world’s leading bedbank, has announced the launch of The Green Hotels Program, a turn-key solution to bring Hotelbeds and its partners to the green economy and accelerate the transition of the travel industry towards sustainability. To focus on establishing a more responsible and sustainable business model, Hotelbeds now has over 15,000 properties within its portfolio certified as sustainable. These hotels will now be easily identifiable to the more than 60,000 travel trade client partners of Hotelbeds and Bedsonline—including travel agents, tour operators, airlines and point redemption schemes—via this new green filter that will include details of certifications and...

LONDON—A staggering 2.4 million jobs could be lost in the U.K. Travel & Tourism sector in 2020 if barriers to global travel remain in place, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed. The new figure comes from WTTC’s latest economic modelling, which looks at the punishing impact of COVID-19 and travel restrictions on the Travel & Tourism sector. Already in present circumstances, 1.9 million jobs in the U.K. have been impacted. If there is no immediate alleviation of restrictions on international travel, as many as 2.4 million jobs—more than half of all jobs in the sector in the U.K. in...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As companies, organizations and governments focus on safe and healthy reopening plans in response to the pandemic, more than 130 LEED projects have engaged the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Safety First pilot credits to support those efforts. The credits provide sustainable and healthy best practices that align with public health and industry guidelines and help address critical operations including indoor air quality, water systems, cleaning and re-entry. The Safety First credits are part of USGBC’s economic recovery strategy and reinforces that healthy people in healthy places is the fastest way to rebuild a healthy economy. The Safety First...

MIAMI—When Global Wellness Summit (GWS) delegates meet at The Breakers Palm Beach from November 8 to 11, they will experience a number of new technologies and creative moves that are “meeting firsts” and all designed to keep them as safe as possible. The GWS has been working overtime to invent new standards for a hygienic and healthy conference, and while it includes the “givens,” such as a smaller gathering (150 in-person attendees according to Beth McGroarty, V.P. of Research for the Global Wellness Summit), physical distancing, masks and temperature checks, the organization has gone much further: deploying cutting-edge air...

LONDON—New figures from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveal that despite a slight improvement since June, a staggering 174 million Travel & Tourism jobs could be lost in 2020 if barriers to global travel remain in place. The new figure comes from WTTC’s latest economic data, which looks at the punishing impact of COVID-19, as well as local and global travel restrictions on the Travel & Tourism sector. If the current restrictions to international travel continue through to the end of 2020—resulting in a limited recovery—the impact will be devastating, with as many as 174 million jobs lost globally. Down...

ORLANDO—Rhinoceros may be the world’s second largest land animal, but at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, there’s a tiny new one. Kendi, an endangered white rhino, gave birth to a male rhino at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida on Sunday, October 25. Disney is now offering a first look at him bonding with mom in newly released video. Rhinos have a long gestation period—approximately 16 to 18 months. The Disney’s Animal Kingdom team of veterinarians, scientists and animal keepers have been monitoring Kendi throughout her pregnancy, conducting regular checkups and ultrasounds. The yet-to-be-named male rhino was standing up within the first hour....

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—If you live in a rural area, it is easy to walk outside and enjoy the night skies almost as they were 100 years ago. Yet for 99 percent of people in Europe and the United States, a clear view of the stars is a thing of the past. So, if you really want to enjoy the full majesty of the universe aglow with the light of a thousand stars, you need to get out of town. Preferably to one of these luxury hotels with stargazing programs. Castle Hill Inn, Rhode Island Every summer, this four-star hotel makes the most of...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International has been recognized for making significant investments in clean energy according to the latest Solar Means Business report released by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The annual report tracks both on-site and off-site installations, highlighting the strong appeal of cost-saving solar energy for American businesses. In 2018, MGM Resorts and Invenergy announced the development of a 100-megawatt solar array. At full production, the MGM Resorts Mega Solar Array, in Nevada, will provide up to 90 percent of total daytime power needs across MGM Resorts’ 13 Las Vegas Strip properties, representing nearly 70 million square feet...

SARASOTA, FLA.—Purlin, LLC, maker of recyclable linens for the hospitality industry, has won the Lee School Prize for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Hospitality category. The Lee Business School at UNLV and Ted and Doris Lee Family Foundation created a worldwide $1,000,000 Lee School Prize for Innovation and Entrepreneurship with the goal of discovering and funding innovative technologies and solutions that make the food and beverage, hospitality, casino, sports and entertainment and travel industries a safe place for employees and guests in the post pandemic world. Purlin’s prize in the hospitality category is $250,000. There were 250 submissions from...

SAN IGNACIO, BELIZE—With Belize reopening for international travel on October 1, 2020, The Lodge at Chaa Creek is offering tips that help make arriving easy, and visiting carefree. Bryony Fleming Bradley, Chaa Creek’s Managing Director, said that Belize’s new entry requirements are designed to safeguard everyone’s health and safety, and help make “visiting here a breeze.” “These simple new requirements were put in place to protect travelers, hospitality workers and local communities, but they were also designed to be easy to follow, and help visitors enjoy the same exciting experiences and relaxed vacations Belize has always offered,” she said. The new health...