WASHINGTON, D.C.—American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement after the introduction of the Halting of Trafficking and Exploitation in Lodging Act, or the HOTEL Act, which encourages federal workers traveling for business to stay at hotels with anti-human trafficking programs. “The HOTEL Act recognizes the crucial role hotels play in the fight against human trafficking, and we are proud to support this important legislation,” said AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey. “We look forward to working with Reps. Smith and Krishnamoorthi and lawmakers across the House and Senate to pass this legislation.” Background The...

VICTORIA, B.C.—Pendray Inn and Tea House, a boutique establishment known for its historic charm, daily breakfast offerings, and traditional afternoon tea service, announced its historic achievement as the first restaurant in Canada to be certified by The PLEDGE on Food Waste. With an impressive score of 93 percent, Pendray Tea House has earned the Gold Level certification, highlighting its commitment to sustainability and reducing food waste. The PLEDGE on Food Waste is a globally recognized, third-party audited certification and benchmarking system designed to fight food waste, reduce costs, and nurture the local ecosystem of solution providers. The PLEDGE offers a comprehensive methodology for food...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. announced the launch of Connect Responsibly with Marriott Bonvoy Events (Connect Responsibly), a program designed to help meeting planners embed sustainability into their events at participating hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Connect Responsibly plans to offer meetings and events customers access to detailed Meeting Impact Reports to measure the environmental impact of their events and select options to purchase carbon credits. The program is anticipated to go live at managed and franchised properties from participating brands globally by the end of October. “There is nothing like connecting in person, and doing so responsibly makes it that much...

I rented a pure electronic vehicle (PEV) or battery electric vehicle (BEV) for a road trip to Palm Springs in January. That was the first time I took a trip with an EV, and I discovered that a PEV was only good for short or daily commutes. I will need a hybrid EV or a gas-powered car for longer road trips. Before this road trip, I assumed that EV chargers would be “everywhere” in California because California is the pioneer in banning the sales of new gas-powered vehicles. As a result, I did not “bother” to check how many EV...

COATESVILLE, PA.— According to the EPA, 20 percent of toilets in the U.S. are leaking, and waste an average of 50 gallons a day. The EPA reference is only for leaking flappers and doesn’t include faulty fill valves which can leak or fail entirely. Both leaking flappers and faulty fill valves can waste up to 250 gallons every day. The EPA also does not include running toilets, yet another little understood water wasting problem. Running toilets can waste up to 7,000 gallons per day, and most running toilets are repeat offenders. “A faulty toilet impacts the guest experience,” says Ernie Howard, Executive V.P. of...

PALMA DE MALLORCA, SPAIN—RIU Hotels & Resorts is the first major Spanish international hotel chain to sign a global agreement with Achilles, a world-renowned expert in supply chain risk management that specializes in ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria. This agreement represents a significant milestone in RIU’s business relationship with its suppliers and reflects its commitment to the Proudly Committed sustainability strategy, as RIU’s entire supply chain must be involved for the company to make significant progress in terms of sustainability and goods and service suppliers play a key role in this regard. Achilles provides highly in-depth assessments including on-site...

DENVER—Populus, the urban hotel that blends nature-inspired design with environmentally conscious hospitality to put the health of the planet first, is now open in downtown Denver. Developed by Urban Villages, a leading real estate developer and environmental steward, and managed by Aparium Hotel Group, a pioneer in the lifestyle hotel industry, Populus crafts an inspired and exciting guest experience centered on mindful hospitality through its 265 guestrooms; flexible meeting and event spaces; two distinct restaurants—Pasque, an all-day dining destination and Stellar Jay, a lively rooftop restaurant and bar; and iconic Aspen tree-inspired design by AD100 architecture firm, Studio Gang. Not only are all...

CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR, CALIF.—A recent study, Sustainable Signals: Understanding Corporate Sustainability Priorities and Challenges by the Morgan Stanley Institute, finds that overwhelmingly, companies view sustainability as a profit generator and a way to lower the cost of capital.   With the global participation of more than three hundred public and private companies from the U.S., Europe, and Asia, the findings reveal a strong consensus among key decision-makers that sustainability is not only a profit generator but essential to their company’s long-term value-creation efforts.   According to Jessica Alsford, Chief Sustainability Officer at Morgan Stanley, the convergence of sustainability strategies and core business strategies is becoming...

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...