For many pet owners, their furry companions are integral members of the family. It’s no surprise, then, that the trend of traveling with pets has grown significantly in recent years. The hospitality industry has responded accordingly, with an increasing number of pet-friendly accommodations and even eateries that welcome four-legged friends. Simultaneously, the interest in sustainable tourism is on the rise. Fortunately, it is possible to combine these two trends, offering travel options that are both eco-conscious and pet friendly. The Environmental Impact of Pets Pets, particularly in the United States, have a considerable environmental footprint. The most significant impact comes from feeding...

TORONTO and NEWARK, CALIF.—Global luxury hospitality leader Four Seasons and Lucid Group, Inc., maker of the world’s most advanced electric vehicles, announce a new partnership grounded in a shared vision of an exceptional, sustainable lifestyle. The collaboration underscores both companies' commitment to environmental stewardship and responds to a growing guest desire for added flexibility and unique, eco-friendly experiences during their stay. Program elements include the following offerings at participating Four Seasons properties: Complimentary driving experience. Based on availability and bookable at no cost both on-site and online, guests can reserve a Lucid vehicle for their own use. Concierge teams will also provide a suggested route...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands announced it was a presenting partner sponsor of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting on Sept. 23 to 24 in New York City, building on the company’s commitment to addressing economic, social and environmental issues for the betterment of its regions around the world. The CGI meeting coincided with the U.N. General Assembly and brought together business, government and civil society leaders to drive progress on climate resilience, inclusive economic growth and recovery, health equity, the full participation of women and girls, and humanitarian response efforts to crises around the globe. Since its inception, the CGI...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—With the rising presence and utilization of AI and its impact on the way society uses technology, it is no surprise that it is at the forefront of travel planning for Europeans. Key research conducted by MMGY, the authority on European traveler intelligence, unveils a shifting landscape in travel preferences according to its latest release of Portrait of European Travellers. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has surged in popularity according to the new report, and sustainability remains one of the top five motivators for European travelers in 2024. This comprehensive research examining adult travelers from the U.K., France, Germany,...

SACRAMENTO, CALIF.—The California Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA), in partnership with Oxford Economics, announced Hotel Caring, an initiative to showcase the positive social impact the lodging industry has on local communities. “Our California hotels every day extend kindness and goodwill to guests, employees and our communities not to gain recognition, but simply because service is what we do,” said Dhruv Patel, Chair of CHLA’s Board of Directors. Results of a pilot study in San Diego early in 2024 demonstrated the far-reaching impacts hotels have on community benefits, which led Hotel Caring’s expansion to include more regions of the state. “Hotels play important roles in local communities,...

NATIONAL REPORT—Parking revenues have increased by 23.1 percent from 2019 to 2023, based on a sample of U.S. properties in CBRE’s Trends in the Hotel Industry database, which is more than four times greater than the growth rate for total hotel revenues during that period. Not only is parking a growing source of revenue, but it is relatively profitable as well. In 2023, parking department profit margins for the CBRE sample were 61.3 percent of total department revenue, while the average profit margin for all other-operated departments was 58.7 percent at those hotels. While the contribution to revenues and profits is welcome...

COSTA RICA—Big Five Tours & Expeditions (Big Five), a distinguished member of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), announced new Costa Rica Programs and its latest initiative in Costa Rica aimed at combating overtourism through the adoption of the WTTC’s Community Conscious Travel global campaign. With decades of experience in sustainable tourism, Big Five is renowned for its innovative approach to preserving cultural heritage and supporting local economies and this new focus in Costa Rica builds on Big Five’s successes in Kenya, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Peru and many other places. Through its newly launched programs in Costa Rica, such as those featured...

MCLEAN, VA.—The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA), an independent trade association advancing the industry’s commitment to promote responsible online gaming, announced that Bally’s Corporation (Bally’s) is joining the Association in support of ROGA’s mission to enhance responsible gaming (RG) initiatives and best practices and empower consumers to make informed decisions about their online play. Bally’s will work in collaboration with ROGA’s existing members—bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, FanDuel, Hard Rock Digital and PENN Entertainment—to promote responsible online gaming, fund independent peer-reviewed research, develop evidence-based responsible gaming best practices and drive consumer education and awareness. “We are thrilled to welcome Bally’s to ROGA—further demonstrating the collaborative effort of the iGaming...

AMSTERDAM—A new series of online training sessions for hospitality businesses, focusing on community engagement, energy and greenhouse gases, as well as food and water management, has been developed by Booking.com in collaboration with UN Tourism. The courses have been launched on the Tourism Online Academy (TOA), a collaborative project between UN Tourism and IE University. The four Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) address crucial aspects of sustainability to drive change in production and consumption patterns. While targeted at hospitality businesses, the courses are also available to the general public. They focus on: Energy and climate action: For hospitality, efficient energy...

LAAMU ATOLL, MALDIVES—Six Senses Laamu commemorates the one-year anniversary of its Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL), highlighting the resort’s steadfast dedication to marine conservation and environmental education. In March 2023, Six Senses Laamu unveiled the SHELL on its sunset beach, marking a pivotal milestone in the journey toward fostering environmental awareness and education. The 2,336 square-foot (217 square-meter) immersive exhibition space invites resort guests, hosts, and Maldivian residents to explore and learn about the colorful and vibrant local marine life. Investing further in marine conservation, the SHELL houses a working marine laboratory run by the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI),...