TORONTO—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced that it has formally removed shark fin from all of its hotel menus in Asia, effective immediately. The move, which also spans the luxury hotel brand’s global culinary operations, is in line with Fairmont’s commitment to environmental stewardship and supports an earlier pledge to offer sustainable seafood choices in an effort to conserve precious marine species.“We’re proud to be at the forefront of the movement to stop serving shark fin,” said Jean Michel Offe, Fairmont’s vice-president, food & beverage. “It’s a logical step for Fairmont, given our decades long work in greening our hotels...

MADRID, SPAIN—World Tourism Day (WTD) 2012 will be celebrated under the theme “Tourism & Sustainable Energy: Powering Sustainable Development,” inviting everyone involved in tourism—from governments to businesses and tourists themselves—to learn more about the sustainable energy initiatives in place in the tourism sector, debate what more should be done and advance the use of sustainable energy in tourism.“Tourism is leading the way in some of the world’s most innovative sustainable energy initiatives,” says United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, in his official WTD message. “Energy efficient upgrades to aircraft, the shift to renewable fuel for aviation...

MIAMI—The JW Marriott Marquis Miami announces that it has been welcomed by The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to the Florida Green Lodging Program. The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with free technical assistance in an effort to encourage hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving, “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. “It is an honor to be designated into the Florida Green Lodging Program,” said Florencia Tabeni, general manager of the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. “We pride ourselves in engaging in as many green practices as possible. It is extremely important to us...

CHICAGO—A multi-hotel complex and convention center planned for development near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport aims to set the standard for eco-friendly architecture and design in the hospitality industry, and boost the city’s efforts to be a global leader in the green movement. A Chicago Convention Center development promises to be the world’s first zero carbon platinum LEED convention complex, aiming for zero carbon emissions and a 100 percent allergen-free structure. Plans call for the greenest building standards, including state-of-the-art technology that supports “guestrooms of the future,” equipped with high-tech amenities that encourage sustainable behavior. Business guests will be able...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands Corp. will release the first Environmental Report in the gaming industry to be formally verified by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). GRI is the most prominent reporting standard used today and provides a practical method for breaking down reporting requirements such as management approach to economic, environment and social sectors.The Environmental Report is an integrated study of the company’s green building designs, environmentally responsible operations, green meetings and stakeholder engagement. The report will be launched during an event being held at The Venetian Las Vegas.Las Vegas Sands has spearheaded environmental sustainability practices across the hospitality...

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND—The 2012 Annual CHRIE Summer Conference will be held August 1 to 4 at the Westin Providence and Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The 2012 conference will be filled with informative presentations, the latest in educational research, displays at the ICHRIE Marketplace and lots of networking opportunities for members and guests. Several sessions will touch on sustainability-related topics over the course of the event.On Wednesday, August 1, there will be a session entitled, “Patients without Borders: An Ethical, Sustainable & Integrated approach to Medical Tourism Development and Management.” That same day there will be...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Marriott Vacation Club, a leader in vacation ownership and a brand of Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp., announces a partnership with Clean the World Foundation, Inc. Clean the World recycles partially used bars of soap and bottled amenities from resorts in the United States and distributes the new soap and hygiene kits to communities that lack access to these essential items.Each day 9,000 children around the world die from diseases such as acute respiratory illness and diarrheal diseases which can be prevented by washing with soap. Clean the World has a mission to put soap in the hands of...

LAS VEGAS—Advancements in corporate social responsibility for MGM Resorts International are chronicled in its first consolidated Corporate Social Responsibility Report. Themed “Inspiring Our World,” the report reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to inspiring responsible behavior in Diversity & Inclusion, Philanthropy & Community Engagement, and Environmental Responsibility & Sustainability.“We’re committed to excellence and continuous improvement,” said Jim Murren, chairman & CEO of MGM Resorts International. “Our social responsibility imperatives are helping to drive innovation and competitive differentiation throughout our organization. Environmental responsibility is a priority at all levels.”Newsweek Magazine recently ranked MGM Resorts as the most “green” resort and casino...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—Sustainability initiatives are playing an increasingly important factor in managed travel programs, according to new research released by the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). In conjunction with the regional GBTA Sustainability Committees, travel managers in the United States, Europe and Australia were surveyed for their opinions on sustainability or “green” efforts when it comes to their business travel programs.The study revealed companies are focusing on sustainability measures that can generate savings for companies, influence traveler behavior to make better decisions and are looking to establish relationships with green-friendly suppliers....

LONDON—A report launched July 9 by Tourism Concern reveals the stark inequities of water access and consumption between tourist resorts and local people in developing countries. “Water Equity in Tourism: a Human Right, a Global Responsibility,” demands concerted action by governments and the tourism sector to protect community water rights over tourist luxury.Featuring research from Bali, The Gambia, Zanzibar, and Goa and Kerala, south India, the report finds that the unsustainable appropriation, depletion and pollution of water by poorly regulated tourism are threatening the environment, while undermining living standards, livelihoods and development opportunities of impoverished local communities.These communities often...