In the first article of the series, which explored What greenwashing risks mean for the legal profession, we outlined the key principles that legal and risk management professionals are to follow to mitigate such risks. These include: Making accurate and truthful claims; Explaining conditions or qualifications; Using clear and understandable language; and Ensuring accountability in the value chain. In this article, we take it a step further, delving into the best practices and reviewing real-life case studies for two of the principles: (1) making accurate and truthful claims, and (2) explaining conditions and qualifications to sustainability-related assertions. We also highlight how adopting globally recognized...

NATIONAL REPORT—If you knew the history of the leather that you buy, would you still buy it? While there are degrees of severity, depending on the supplier, the leather that you specify for furniture, headboards or other items often has a dirty past—from the breeding of the animal (most likely a cow) to the processing of the leather from that animal. Factors to consider when buying leather range from its geographical source—China, the largest leather producing country, or maybe Brazil, where cattle ranching for beef and leather production is the main cause of deforestation in the Amazon—to its biodegradability. There...

COSTA RICA—With the demand for wellness tourism accelerating, The Retreat Costa Rica, an acclaimed luxury wellness boutique resort and spa, has embarked on an ambitious $3 million expansion, adding 26,500 square feet encompassing a clubhouse, three restaurants and 10 luxury lofts—all poised for completion late April 2025. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness market is gaining rapid ground and expected to reach $9 trillion by 2028—data that has relevance for The Retreat Costa Rica Founder Diana Stobo, whose property has been named one of the Top Ten Spa Destinations in the World by Conde Nast Traveler. “With increasing numbers of...

SHAWANO, WIS.—NEWH, Inc. (Network of Executive Women in Hospitality), the premier association committed to scholarships, advancing education, mentorship, and networking in the hospitality industry, has announced Fiona Rath and Aiden Stich as the winners of their inaugural Structures of Hospitality Excellence (SOHE) Scholarships. Recipients were honored at a ceremony during ALIS DESIGN+ at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles on January 31, 2025. “Hospitality excellence is defined in many different ways, and we’re honored to recognize individuals who embody this concept in the pursuit of their careers in the construction industry,” says Chris Tucker, CEO of NEWH, Inc. “As the inaugural...

MALÉ, REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES—JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, announces the opening of JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, the second JW Marriott resort in the Maldives. Nestled in Kaafu Atoll’s largest lagoon and conveniently located just 15 minutes by boat from Velana International Airport, this luxurious retreat offers an idyllic sanctuary to recharge the mind, body, and spirit in this tropical oceanic paradise. “JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island embodies our dedication to blending unparalleled luxury with holistic well-being, offering guests a peaceful escape where every detail is designed to inspire balance and rejuvenation,” says Bruce Rohr,...

HOLLYWOOD, FLA.—Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming are continuing their commitment to fight human trafficking this National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and all through the year. The companies will expand their educational high school program focused on preventing online luring of minors to middle school curriculums, spotlight the crisis around Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW) and continue other efforts to recognize human trafficking and take action. “As owners of Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming, with hotels and casinos on nearly every continent, the Seminole Tribe of Florida believes it has a duty to raise awareness of the MMIW crisis and actively work...

MADRID, SPAIN—The Abel Matutes Foundation is giving a new boost to Palladium Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) area of Palladium Hotel Group, part of Grupo Empresas Matutes. Founded in Spain in the late 1970s with social purposes, the Abel Matutes Foundation has significantly expanded its scope of action and multiplied its budget tenfold to finance initiatives with greater reach and impact through Palladium Cares, both in Europe and the Americas. This significant budget increase also ensures the continuity of its work in Ibiza and Formentera (Spain). The Abel Matutes Foundation has been essential in Palladium Cares’ first year and will continue to play...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—University of New Mexico Health Sciences researchers have detected microplastics in human brains at much higher concentrations than in other organs—and the plastic accumulation appears to be growing over time, having increased 50 percent over just the past eight years. Microplastics—tiny bits of degraded polymers that are ubiquitous in our air, water and soil—have lodged themselves throughout the human body, including the liver, kidney, placenta and testes, over the past half century. In a new study published in Nature Medicine, a team led by toxicologist Matthew Campen, PhD, Distinguished and Regents’ Professor in the UNM College of Pharmacy, reported that plastic...

NATIONAL REPORT—Great outdoor lighting can make all the difference in a property’s overall appeal, especially for hotels. For eco-conscious hoteliers, lighting design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating memorable guest experiences, reducing environmental impact, and reinforcing safety. We’ll explore four key reasons why outdoor lighting design matters at hotels and how it can impact your business. Enhancing the Guest Experience When guests arrive at your property, the outdoor spaces often create the first impression. Outdoor lighting can guide them seamlessly from the parking lot to the entryway while highlighting the architecture of your hotel. Well-lit gardens, courtyards, or pool areas invite...

SINGAPORE—With its recent attainment of the BCA Green Mark Super Low Energy (SLE) Certification, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore celebrates its recent trifecta of sustainability accomplishments, making it the first hotel in Singapore to attain three sustainability certifications in 2024—BCA Green Mark Super Low Energy (SLE) Certification, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Industry Criteria for Hotels Certification and Green Globe Certification. As shared by Phil Smith, General Manager of PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore, “Our commitment to sustainability has always been at the heart of our operations and culture. This is a proud moment for our team whose hard work and passion for sustainability have made this possible,...