TROY, N.Y.—Audubon International—the environmentally focused nonprofit organization offering members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play—announced that The Ritz-Carlton, Denver has attained Green Lodging/Green Hospitality Gold-level Certification for sustainable best practices. Offered at four levels from Bronze to Platinum, Audubon International’s Green Lodging Program provides hotels and other hospitality facilities with the tools to reduce operating costs by saving energy, conserving water, and reducing waste. Hotels that are eco-rated have a distinct marketing advantage and public recognition as an environmental leader. “This is an impressive achievement for one of the world’s great...

MONTEVERDE, COSTA RICA—Carbon-neutral Hotel Belmar in Costa Rica has unveiled its thoughtful room renovations completed this summer. The redesigned rooms harmonize the property’s focus on its unique natural setting while providing guests with the modern comforts they desire. Local designers with Costa Rica’s NAAS Interior Culture led the project, redefining the guest experience with a subtle balance between contemporary design and the hotel’s forest surroundings. Rooms feature natural materials, such as wood, and a palette of subdued colors to create a warm and welcoming environment. Nearly all of the ecolodge’s 26 rooms were renovated. Mid Century Modern elements and furniture provide clean lines and functionality...

HOLLYWOOD, FLA.—The Seminole Tribe of Florida and Hard Rock International are committing $1,000,000 in monetary donations to support the relief efforts for those impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The funds will support two world-renowned organizations, World Central Kitchen and the American Red Cross, to aid in immediate recovery and long-term rebuilding for communities devastated by catastrophic storms from Florida to the Carolinas and Tennessee. In addition to the financial contribution, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa has opened its doors as a state-designated shelter at its Event Center, providing safety and refuge for over 1,000 displaced individuals since the shelter was put in place. The...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has teamed up with investment firm Lafayette Square to provide diverse hoteliers with improved access to capital. Through an exclusive relationship, Wyndham will vet and directly connect qualified owners with Lafayette Square, which aims to help hoteliers with up to $100 million in combined financing from the firm over the coming years. While not all hoteliers will qualify, viable candidates can use the funds to move forward projects that would otherwise stall due to lack of traditional financing. Lafayette Square’s investment strategy addresses a critical issue diverse hoteliers face when it comes to access to...

Wellness features have undoubtedly become a key differentiator in the hospitality industry in all markets for attracting guests and driving revenue. But some features may provide better returns on investment (ROI) than others and selecting the most suitable for a property requires a considered approach. The continuous evolution of wellness facilities, amenities, and services likely contributed to the whopping 18.1 percent annual growth the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) detected in the wellness real estate sector in 2020-23 and would also support the 15.8 percent annual expansion GWI predicts for 2024-29. The strong performance and rosy outlook of the sector have prompted...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—As 2024 draws to a close, there is strong sentiment from the global business travel industry that the year outperformed expectations, paving the way for increased budgets, strategic investments and growth initiatives for 2025. This is according to a new research poll by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) where 86 percent of global business travel buyers and travel suppliers surveyed said that business travel performed on par or better than they anticipated in 2024. Additionally, with 67 percent of professionals stating their general outlook is optimistic for the industry’s future, the results suggest a strong desire for business travel expansion...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the largest hotel association in the United States, and Procure Impact, a first-of-its kind B2B marketplace for products that support overlooked communities, recently announced a major milestone in the implementation of their Dignity of Work Pledge. Twenty-three hospitality companies have pledged over $7.4 million in purchases to reach the Dignity of Work Pledge goal of 100,000 hours of paid employment for people who face barriers to work. By choosing to source responsibly through Procure Impact, the companies will provide millions in revenue for businesses employing vulnerable and marginalized populations. Procure Impact’s B2B marketplace serves...

MIAMI—Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, a leader in all-inclusive travel, is redefining sustainable tourism across its properties in Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. Through its “We Are Ecocentric” movement, the brand invites travelers with an eco-conscious mindset, to engage in meaningful experiences that support conservation and promote a sustainable future. The brand’s environmental efforts are spearheaded by the Eco-Bahia Foundation, established in Mexico in 1999 and expanded to the Dominican Republic in 2023. Bahia Principe’s goal is to conserve natural resources, protect marine ecosystems, and restore endangered species’ habitats. The foundation implements initiatives in coral reef conservation, wildlife protection, and...

TROY, N.Y.—Audubon International—the environmentally focused non-profit organization offering members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play—announced that it is one of 49 organizations to meet Travalyst’s criteria for lodging industry sustainability certification through its Green Lodging and Green Hospitality Programs. Founded in 2019 by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Travalyst is a not-for-profit coalition of some of the biggest brands in travel and technology including Booking.com, Expedia Group, Google, Skyscanner, Travelport and Trip.com Group. The coalition works to bring sustainability information to the forefront to help travelers make more informed choices on where they spend their dollars. “Being included among...

HELSINKI, FINLAND—The Global Destination Sustainability Index measures the sustainability of travel destinations in four different categories using more than 70 indicators. The comparison includes more than a hundred cities throughout the world that have invested in sustainability. Helsinki has performed well in the GDS Index in the past: in 2023, its ranking was fourth. “Being named the world’s most sustainable travel destination is proof of the long-term work that has been done in Helsinki. We are developing and growing tourism sustainably together with tourism operators and local residents. The first place we have now achieved indicates that we are on the right...