DAVOS-KLOSTERS, SWITZERLAND—At a time when more than 75 million young people can’t find jobs, and countless more are underemployed, investing in opportunities for youth is not only a critical development issue but also a growth strategy for businesses around the world. In response to this challenge, Hilton Worldwide will announce at the World Economic Forum a commissioned white paper from the International Youth Foundation (IYF) that highlights solutions to youth joblessness that the global hospitality sector is uniquely positioned to provide. The company will also announce the launch of Bright Blue Futures, a global commitment to youth development around...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—National Parks continued to be important economic engines for local communities, with visitors generating $30.1 billion in economic activity and supporting 252,000 jobs nationwide in 2011, according to a peer-reviewed report released February 25 by the National Park Service.“Places like the Grand Canyon or the Statue of Liberty take our breath away and inspire us with their beauty and history, but our national parks also serve as anchors for our nation’s economy,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “People who visit parks need transportation, places to stay, and meals to eat—all of which support businesses and provide...

DENVER—Xanterra Parks & Resorts has been awarded the contract to operate hotels, restaurants, gift stores and activities in Yellowstone National Park for the next 20 years. This is the largest concessions operation in a national park with more than 830 buildings, nine hotels with more than 2,000 rooms, more than 30 foodservice facilities, tours and activities.“We are very pleased that the National Park Service has chosen to continue our relationship in Yellowstone, and we are looking forward to implementing numerous initiatives that will enhance the visitor experience,” said Andrew N. Todd, president and CEO of Xanterra. “We have managed...

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA—The Cayuga Collection, based in Costa Rica, is looking for qualified interns to help perfect its delivery of higher-end hospitality that combines sustainability, community, and luxury.While age doesn’t matter, attitude does. The Cayuga Collection 2013 eco-internship is possibly the best opportunity for anybody who regrets never having done an internship abroad. And yes, helping with recycling, composting, energy efficiency and community outreach are part of the internship, but so is testing out the softness of the bed linens, quality of the eco-friendly hotel room amenities, sampling as many meals as possible and even partaking in a...

SHELTON, CONN.—VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau, has become the first convention and visitors bureau in the world certified in a new international sustainability standard designed to promote responsible environmental and social practices in the events industry. VISIT DENVER achieved Level One certification with the ASTM Standard pertaining to the Evaluation and Selection of Destinations for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows, and Conferences (abbreviated as “E2741-11” and commonly known as the APEX Standard).iCompli, a not-for-profit international auditing organization, developed the certification protocols for the new standards and performed the independent third-party certification of VISIT DENVER’s compliance with...

DURHAM, N.C.—Graduate students from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University have teamed up with the National Restaurant Association to examine how best to deploy a zero-waste program for restaurateurs in Durham, N.C.The students, all enrolled in the university’s public policy master’s degree program, have taken on the assignment as a three-month-long consulting project that calls for analytical research and recommendations on implementation of a zero-waste program. They also will explore the challenges and barriers business operators face regarding adoption of zero-waste initiatives.“The Duke team is helping us review and analyze how best to develop a zero-waste...

BERLIN, GERMANY—At the Berlin International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF), Marriott International has debuted MOXY HOTELS, its first entry into the economy tier, three-star hospitality segment in Europe. Designed to capture the rapidly emerging millennial traveler, the new brand combines contemporary stylish design, approachable service and an affordable price. The brand will debut in Italy, with the first MOXY HOTEL expected to open in Milan in early 2014.The contemporary and stylish 150- to 300-room MOXY HOTELS, which are being designed with the goal of attaining LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council,...

OTTAWA, ONT.—The latest results from the 2013 HAC Canadian Travel Intentions Survey show that 44 percent of business travelers (up 8 percent from 2009) said environmental initiatives such as water recycling and energy efficiency are important to them. Thirty-six percent of leisure and business travelers said it is important for hotels to have green products. Twenty-six percent of leisure travelers and business travelers said a hotel with an environmental certification program is important to them. Twenty percent of business travelers and leisure travelers said the ability to purchase carbon credits is very important to them. Forty-nine percent of travelers...

MAUI, HAWAII—Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, situated oceanfront on Kaanapali Beach, has become the first commercial business partner in the state of Hawaii to begin testing for Maui Electric’s (MECO) semi-automated Fast DR (Demand Response) Pilot Program. In partnership with Hawaiian Electric, MECO launched Fast DR last year to help business customers control the cost of their electric bills while helping the utility maintain reliability and add more renewable energy to the grid. Fast DR rewards commercial and industrial customers for designating parts of their electricity use that can be turned off during critical energy situations with...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In honor of National Women’s Month, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has launched a Women in Lodging (WIL) Connect national competition that serves the dual purpose of highlighting women in the industry and urging industry professionals to join the WIL initiative. Beginning in March and continuing each month through the end of the year, three to five women in a variety of operational areas, including general managers, human resources, sales/marketing, and sustainability, will be highlighted. As an added incentive to increase membership, two new WIL members will have the opportunity to have lunch or dinner with...