PARIS—In celebration of Global Handwashing Day Hilton Worldwide and Clean the World announced that Hilton Paris Opera is the first ever hotel in continental Europe to partner with Clean the World. Hilton Paris Opera will lead the European rollout of Clean the World by contributing discarded soap and bottled amenities that will be recycled to benefit European citizens who are at risk for hygiene-related illnesses. As the world’s largest soap recycler, Clean the World has contributed to a 30 percent reduction in pre-adolescent deaths from hygiene-related illnesses since 2009. Hilton signed a master agreement with Clean the World earlier...

YOSEMITE, CALIF.—Miraval Resort and Spa, Living Earth Crafts, Two Bunch Palms and Spa Blue at Del Mar were among the top award recipients at the Green Carpet Spa Sustainability Awards, presented by the Green Spa Network at their Annual Congress in Yosemite, Calif.Judges with decades of experience in the industry chose winners in six categories including healthy spa cuisine, innovative green products, and dedicated spa and supply brands—from individuals and companies who are shaping the green spa movement. The judging panel included: Julie Keller Callaghan, Editor-in-Chief, American Spa Magazine; Mary Bemis, Editorial Director, Insider’s Guide to Spas; Debrianna Berlin,...

NEW YORK—The panelist lineups for the green sessions that will be part of the inaugural HX: The Hotel Experience (formerly International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show) and Boutique Design New York (BDNY) have been finalized. The HX sessions will take place over three days, November 8 to 10, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The BDNY sessions will take place also at the Javits from November 8 to 9.Planned for Sunday, November 8 from noon to 12:45 p.m. is “The Numbers Behind the Trends—Gauging Traveler/Hotelier Reaction to the Greening of Lodging.” As awareness of sustainability has grown among...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, announced that it reached its carbon emissions goal six years ahead of schedule. The company achieved a 20 percent reduction in carbon emissions (measured on a per square foot basis), well-surpassing its goal. The reduction is equivalent to saving more than 14 million gallons of gasoline. “This is a huge achievement for a company with such a wide and diverse global portfolio, and especially one in the hospitality industry,” said Stephen P. Holmes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wyndham Worldwide. “Our commitment to sustainability as one of our top...

LAAMU, MALDIVES—In early 2014, Six Senses Laamu, in collaboration with Ocean Dimensions, launched a partnership with The Manta Trust and became a valuable supporter of its flagship program—the Maldivian Manta Ray Project. The Manta Trust was formed in 2011 to coordinate global research and conservation efforts for mantas, their close relatives and their habitat.While on site at Six Senses Laamu, The Manta Trust team dives twice daily at the nearby dive site—Hithadhoo Corner—where they monitor the atoll’s unique reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) population’s cleaning, courtship and mating behavior. By simply photographing black and white spot patterns found on...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide announced a major electric vehicle (EV) charging program, which will be available at 50 U.S. hotels by the end of this year with plans to rapidly expand to 100 U.S. hotels by the end of 2016. The program will cover all types of electric vehicles, including Teslas. Current, powered by GE, will provide stations to charge other car makes.Electric vehicle owners can now road trip from New York City to Los Angeles with the peace of mind that multiple Hilton properties will be along the way to accommodate their charging needs. This is one of many...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) has named Toronto as the host city for the 2017 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC). HITEC offers a unique combination of top-notch hospitality technology education, led by industry peers and experts and a trade show showcasing the latest products and services. HITEC 2017 will be held June 26 to 29, 2017.“As a global association, HFTP is thrilled to bring HITEC to our neighbors to the north in Canada,” explains HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE. “Toronto is a beautiful city and I am excited to see how HITEC will flourish in...

NATIONAL REPORT—Earlier this summer hand dryer maker Dyson Inc. released an e-mail linking to a video that demonstrates how one of its competitor’s hand dryers can potentially blow washroom air containing bacteria, viruses and even fecal matter onto your hands. Of its competitor’s hand dryer, the video said, “It sucks in the dirty air and blows it straight onto your hands so you think your hands are clean…but are they?” Other Dyson videos focusing on two other competing hand dryers make similar claims—that the two dryers just redistribute dirty air. Whether true or not, what the videos show is...

SAN DIEGO—Paradise Point, A Destination Hotel on San Diego’s Mission Bay, has partnered with San Diego International Airport on a new sustainable travel program. The Good Traveler program, piloted by San Diego International Airport, seeks to offset environmental impacts of travel by encouraging guests to purchase carbon offsets in the form of merchandise or add-ons to hotel reservations. For just $1, a traveler can effectively offset 500 miles of air travel or 200 miles of driving. All of program funds will go directly towards conservation projects counteracting the environmental impacts of greenhouse gas emissions.Paradise Point is the first hotel...

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLO.—Xanterra Parks & Resorts affiliate Xanterra South Rim L.L.C. has been awarded a new 15-year contract to continue operating the primary concessions at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.Xanterra’s bid was chosen by the National Park Service and continues a tradition dating back to 1905 when the Fred Harvey Company, even before the Grand Canyon was designated a national park, began operating concessions in Grand Canyon Village, including El Tovar Hotel and Hopi House.“We are delighted to continue operating visitor facilities and services at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and look forward...