ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—The 114-suite TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Anchorage, Alaska is scheduled to open the week of November 17, making it the first in Alaska. It is also Alaska’s first LEED certified hotel. The TownePlace Suites Anchorage Midtown will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Denali Land, LLC and managed by Stonebridge Companies of Denver. Located in Midtown and five miles from Ted Stevens International Airport, the hotel offers guests convenient access to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, the Alaska Railroad Train to Denali National Park and the Alaska Native Heritage Center.“We are pleased to introduce the TownePlace...

TORRANCE, CALIF.—Courtyard Los Angeles Torrance/Palos Verdes is taking its green efforts to the next level with the completion of a landscaping renovation project that will not only save the hotel money but will help take the edge off of California’s severe drought. The unique project brings a low-maintenance, low-water outdoor environment to the hotel in Torrance, Calif. and demonstrates the Courtyard’s commitment to the surrounding community. Flower beds, hedges and turf have been replaced by drought-resistant plants. After a self-audit, the hotel also replaced areas of its irrigation system while adjusting timing and putting in new sprinkler heads.“Our hotel...

MADRID, SPAIN—A milestone resolution recognizing the contribution of sustainable tourism to poverty eradication, community development and the protection of biodiversity has been adopted by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly.Emphasizing the need to optimize the economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits stemming from sustainable tourism, particularly in developing countries, the resolution entitled “Promotion of sustainable tourism, including ecotourism, for poverty eradication and environment protection” calls upon the UN System to promote sustainable tourism as an instrument that can contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.The resolution, significantly broader in scope than previous ones on the subject, builds on...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In recognition of the importance of sustainable parking facilities and practices to the development of sustainable communities, the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), the certification body for the U.S. Green Building Council’s global LEED green building rating system, signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Parking Institute (IPI), the world’s largest parking association, and the Green Parking Council (GPC).“Sustainability in parking is integral to building a greener future, not only structurally, but also by shaping transportation networks that support more livable, walkable communities,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, President, GBCI. “This agreement will also expand the GBCI’s portfolio and...

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., in partnership with NRG Energy, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary NRG Renew, unveiled its first project to integrate clean sustainable energy at The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection resort. Featuring approximately 2,000 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, the 568 kilowatt (kWdc) solar installation will offset a portion of The Phoenician resort’s energy demand—an amount equivalent to the energy needs of approximately 90 homes.Core to the project was the design-driven approach—from panel placements, which work with the terrain to create airflow, to the structure’s accent colors that blend into the natural surroundings. In addition to...

WESTON, FLA.—An array of environmental initiatives recently won the Bonaventure Resort & Spa a Three Palm rating from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Lodging program.Launched in 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program is a voluntary initiative of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that designates and recognizes lodging facilities which make a commitment to conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources. The program’s environmental guidelines allow the state’s hospitality industry to evaluate its operations, set goals and take specific actions to continuously improve environmental performance.Bonaventure Resort & Spa is set on the edge of the Florida Everglades, the...

TIANJIN, CHINA—Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Worldwide announced the opening of Hilton Tianjin Eco-City as the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in Tianjin city. The hotel features 301 contemporary guestrooms and suites with a scenic garden landscape and marks the first internationally branded hotel to enter Sino-Singapore Eco-City. Hilton Tianjin Eco-City is operated by Hilton Worldwide and owned by Shimao Co., Ltd. “As one of China’s most important municipalities, Tianjin has a long history of welcoming visitors from around the world and being home to the biggest port in Northern China,” said Rob Palleschi, Global Head, Full Service...

SIOUX LOOKOUT, ONTARIO—Most sea shipping containers that end up in the United States or Canada from points west never get shipped back. Trade imbalances can have burdensome repercussions on the environment. Many shipping containers are recycled for their steel but occasionally the containers are creatively reused—even in construction. Case in point is the recently opened Days Inn-Sioux Lookout in Sioux Lookout, Ontario. The 60-room Days Inn, a Realstar Hospitality franchised hotel that is managed by Liberty Hospitality, is comprised of 120 sea shipping containers on two levels. The modular units were prefabricated off-site in Calgary, Alberta by Ladacor Ltd.The...

NEW YORK—The de Blasio Administration announced that as of July 1, 2015, food service establishments, stores and manufacturers may not possess, sell, or offer for use single service Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam articles or polystyrene loose fill packaging, such as “packing peanuts” in New York City.After consultation with corporations, including Dart Container Corp., nonprofits, vendors and other stakeholders, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has determined that Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Foam cannot be recycled, which led to the ban. DSNY also determined that there currently is no market for post-consumer EPS collected in a curbside metal, glass, and plastic recycling...

LAS VEGAS—Caesars Entertainment was recognized this week as one of America’s most community-minded companies in The Civic 50, an annual initiative that identifies and recognizes companies for their commitment to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business. Points of Light, the largest organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service, conducted the survey in partnership with Bloomberg LP. All companies with $1 billion in revenue or more are invited to apply for The Civic 50.“Corporate civic engagement is on the rise and it’s being led by the forward-thinking businesses included on The Civic 50...