TUCSON, ARIZ.—Guests visiting Loews Ventana Canyon can now encounter the unique nature and wildlife of Arizona just steps from the comfort of their pool chairs with the opening of its new butterfly garden and tortoise exhibit.The resort, long recognized as an environmental leader for its design and preservation of its desert surroundings, is the first Arizona resort or hotel to feature certified butterfly and desert tortoise exhibits. “This is just one more way we are embracing nature on our property and giving guests an up-close-and-personal experience with our local flora and fauna,” said Brian Johnson, managing director of Loews Ventana...

NEW YORK—The International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS)  has announced a partnership with Clean the World to produce a One Project building event during the 98th IHMRS, November 10 to 12, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The objective is to assemble 10,000 One Project hygiene kits over three days with the assistance of IHMRS visitors.Clean the World collects, recycles and distributes soap and shampoo products discarded by the hospitality industry. Most hotels discard slightly used soap and bottled amenities, which often end up in already overcrowded landfills. By shipping discarded amenities to...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—This year, in honor of the company’s first upcoming property in East Africa, the Kigali Marriott Hotel, Marriott International was invited to participate in Rwanda’s renowned annual gorilla-naming ceremony, Kwita Izina 2013. Paul Dalgleish, director of sales and marketing at Marriott International Middle East and Africa represented the company at the event.There were twelve baby gorillas that were to be named this year. Marriott chose the name “Isimbi” for its baby female gorilla who was born on September 22, 2012. In Kinyrwandan, Isimbi means “shining”. Isimbi’s mother is Karisimbi, a 26-year-old female who has had five babies, and...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—According to the latest issue of the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Electric Power Monthly, with preliminary data through to June 30, 2013, renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind) provided 14.20 percent of the United States’ net electric power generation during the first half of the year. For the same period in 2012, renewables accounted for 13.57 percent of net electrical generation. Moreover, non-hydro renewables have more than tripled their output during the past decade. They now account for almost the same share of electrical generation (6.71 percent) as does conventional hydropower (7.49 percent). Ten...

NEW YORK—The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced that it is making $3.3 million available for projects at commercial and institutional buildings to accelerate the adoption and utilization of commercially available energy-saving and load management technologies and strategies. This funding opportunity, part of NYSERDA’s Emerging Technologies and Accelerated Commercialization (ETAC) program, is designed to increase adoption of existing energy-saving technologies that have not yet received market acceptance. Through support for demonstration projects, performance measurement and verification (M&V) services, and a broad outreach campaign, ETAC showcases the benefits of energy-saving technologies and helps accelerate them through...

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA.—PGA National Resort & Spa announces the launch of its new Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) charging stations with a reception on October 7. The South Florida destination is the first in the area to install the Eaton electric vehicle charging stations for electric and hybrid cars. Its parking lot will be outfitted with three total charging stations—two Eaton Commercial Level II Chargers and one Eaton DC Level III Quick Charger. The DC Quick Charging unit is capable of fully charging a vehicle in 40 minutes or less, while the two Level II chargers can fully charge...

TETIAROA, FRENCH POLYNESIA—The Brando, a unique resort and model of sustainable technology, located on the private island of Tetiaroa in French Polynesia, and a product of the late Marlon Brando’s vision, announces the launch of its official website.The website debut is the latest advancement for The Brando, the one-of-a-kind resort located on Tetiaroa, an atoll composed of 12 islets surrounded by the blue expanse of the South Pacific, 30 miles northeast of the island of Tahiti. Tetiaroa has always been a privileged retreat—first for the Tahitian royalty as recorded by Bougainville, Cook, Bligh, and others, and more recently for...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, announced that in 2012 it achieved a nearly 12 percent reduction in carbon emissions per square foot of its operationally controlled assets versus its carbon footprint in 2011.The company, which is working toward a goal to reduce its carbon emissions by 16 percent by 2016 and by 20 percent by 2020, announced this latest accomplishment in its third annual Sustainability Report.“Advancing sustainability best practices remains among our top priorities not only because it’s good for the environment, but because it’s also good for business,” said Stephen P. Holmes, chairman...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Assn. (NRA) announced the members of the Conserve Sustainability Advisory Council as part of its plan to help restaurateurs better understand environmental awareness and become more resource-efficient through its Conserve program.  The advisory council is composed of 14 members of the foodservice and allied industry, all of whom are sustainability experts in their own right. As council members, they will be tasked with sharing their education, lessons learned and best practices applied at their own businesses. “We are pleased to announce this group of some of the most influential sustainability leaders in the foodservice industry today,”...

NEW YORK—MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and Delos, a real estate developer, have decided to expand Stay Well, their wellness hotel room concept. After a positive guest response and growing demand since launching in October 2012, Stay Well at MGM Grand is quadrupling its Stay Well room count from 42 to 171 rooms and suites, encompassing the entire 14th floor of the hotel’s main tower.“The success of the Stay Well rooms exemplifies the large consumer demand and appetite for a healthier, wellness-oriented travel experience,” said Delos founder Paul Scialla. “We are thrilled to expand the Stay...