STAMFORD, CONN.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced it has reduced energy use by 12.08 percent, carbon emissions by 16.07 percent and water use by 17.26 percent across all owned, managed and franchised properties from 2008 through 2014. The reductions stem from Starwood’s 30/20 by 20 environmental goals, launched in 2009, to cut energy use by 30 percent and water use by 20 percent by 2020 globally. In 2013, Starwood added a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent during the same timeframe.“We’re pleased with the progress and are encouraged by the reductions we made while maintaining an...

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIF.—Having achieved its initial goal of reinvigorating a historic property, the ownership group of Two Bunch Palms Spa Resort has retained Maxim Hotel Brokerage, Inc. to represent them in the sale of the asset. The iconic Two Bunch Palms Spa Resort located in Desert Hot Springs, Calif., is 15 minutes from the Palm Springs International Airport. Two Bunch Palms, the oldest hot mineral spa resort, is celebrating its 75-year anniversary by commissioning a 3.5-acre solar farm.The resort recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation to update and expand its rooms, restaurant, yoga, meeting facilities and IT infrastructure....

SOMERVILLE, MASS.—You’ve heard of a company’s carbon footprint. Now it’s time for the chemical footprint. Despite growing regulatory efforts, businesses around the world continue to use chemicals of high concern to human health and environment. Formaldehyde and toxic phthalates in flooring are but two examples of hazardous chemicals that have caused health issues for consumers and financial and reputation problems for companies and their products.Now, a growing number of companies are leading the way by voluntarily phasing out toxic chemicals, demonstrating how they can operate just as efficiently using safer alternatives. However, until now investors and companies have had...

AMSTERDAM—More than half (52 percent) of all global travelers report that they are likely to choose a destination based on its social or environmental impact in 2015. Findings from a survey of 32,000 travelers across 16 countries by Booking.com reveal that attitudes towards sustainable travel are evolving.While only 10 percent of respondents took a traditional sustainable trip in 2014 (defined as an eco-tour, a volunteering trip, a farm stay, a camping trip or a trip to learn about new cultures), this year will see the majority of global travelers being influenced by an intention to reduce their environmental impact,...

ATLANTA—The Green Meeting Industry Council Sustainable Meetings Conference wrapped up in Atlanta last week. The annual event, which drew approximately 200 attendees, was held at the Westin Peachtree Plaza. Highlights included keynote speeches by Laura Turner Seydel, daughter of Ted Turner and chairperson of the Captain Planet Foundation, and Derreck Kayongo, founder of the Global Soap Project. Additional highlights included educational session discussions on topics ranging from the APEX/ASTM meeting standards to best practices at green hotels and venues.Seydel kicked off the event by addressing some of the topics she is most passionate about. Environmental education for children and...

LOS ANGELES—Portola Hotel & Spa, which currently holds the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED certification for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance, has completed the recertification process. This recertification represents a continuation of the eco-friendly initiatives begun in 2009 when the initial certification began.Portola Hotel & Spa participated in the USGBC’s Recertification Beta Pilot Program, which has a specific team focused on the hospitality industry. This makes Portola the very first Beta participant coming from the EBOM 2008 rating system and hotel to undergo the recertification process.“We are honored to have been chosen as the first participant in the...

SUZHOU, CHINA—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced the debut of its eco-conscious Element brand in Asia Pacific with the opening of Element Suzhou Science and Technology Town in Suzhou, China. The hotel is owned by Suzhou Science and Technology Town Kexin Cultural Tourism Development Co., LTD.“As Starwood’s eco-innovation lab, the Element brand has redefined the category with its light-filled atmosphere, eco-minded design and commitment to innovation,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “On track to triple its global portfolio by the end of 2017, Element is experiencing tremendous growth momentum and the...

NATIONAL REPORT—Dig into The Bedbug Registry a bit and you just might find your own hotel listed as a place where travelers encountered bedbugs. In this social media age, where a bedbug report can go viral in seconds, it makes sense to take the necessary steps—hopefully eco-friendly ones—to keep bedbugs out and, if necessary, kill them effectively. Fortunately for those concerned about the safety of their guests and staff, there are a wide range of environmentally safe products available to detect, protect against, and kill bedbugs.It makes sense to utilize greener approaches because bedbugs have an incredible ability to...

OAK BROOK, ILL.—The Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center is going above and beyond in its effort to give back to the community and help the environment.   In addition to local homeless shelters, the multi-faceted west suburban resort recently donated its premium linens to Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, where the 250-thread count bedding is being used as additional nesting material for the western lowland gorillas at Regenstein Center for African Apes. “While we continue to elevate our guest experience at the hotel,” said Nathan Karsten, Director of Sales & Marketing at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills...

CABO ROJO, P.R.—Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s Executive Director, Ingrid I. Rivera Rocafort, along with the Paradores Owners Association President, Tomas Ramirez, announced the opening of 12 new EcoSuites at Parador Combate Beach at El Combate Beach in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. With this new expansion, the Parador will include a total of 48 guestrooms, in configurations to accommodate two to six people. This innovative expansion was completed with recycled materials and sustainable technologies and equipment designed to save energy. The total investment in this new project exceeds $275,000, creating 10 direct jobs and 15 indirect jobs during the construction...