LAS VEGAS—To promote healthy living among its employees and the communities in which it operates and beyond, MGM Resorts International has introduced a healthy eating mobile application that is free of cost and available to the public. The app, “Healthy Eating. Healthy You,” has already reached a major milestone of 7,500 downloads since being launched in September 2012 and is consistently growing at an average rate of 50 downloads per day.“The healthy eating initiative and app is part of our commitment to being a leading corporate responsible organization and to expand our healthy living initiative beyond MGM Resorts to...

NEW YORK—The Conrad New York and surrounding restaurants and retail in Battery Park City were recently recognized by the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) with the 2012 Development of the Year Award. ALIS each year honors excellence and outstanding performance in hotel development and bestowed the prestigious award on Goldman Sachs as the developer of the project.With its strong commitment to sustainability, the Conrad New York is pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for New Construction from the U.S. Green Building Council. The sustainable principles incorporated into the Conrad New York were also incorporated in...

NATIONAL REPORT—Wyndham Worldwide’s headquarters has one. So does the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Ill., the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway, the Hampton Inn Elmira/ Horseheads (Horseheads, N.Y.) and numerous other hotel properties. What they all have is a white roof—a solar-reflective white coating to help reduce temperatures inside and out during those times when the building is most vulnerable to the sun’s impact. Having a white coating on a rooftop instead of a black coating can have a significant positive environmental and cost impact, especially in warmer climates. A roof covered with solar-reflective white paint reflects up to 90...

CARMEL, IND.—RCI, a leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands, announced that Gold Coast (Australia) visitors can simultaneously help the environment and support local charities through a new creative green initiative introduced by RCI.The RCI program, branded Green Fingers, encourages visiting guests to deposit unwanted, non-perishable food upon departure for donation to local charities. RCI has teamed up with Gold Coast’s Mariner Shores Resort and Nepean Country Club and Day Spa to pilot this food recycling program.The two-pronged project aims at encouraging guests to have minimal impact on the local environment while directly...

MAUI, HAWAII—This summer will signify a new phase for Hyatt’s Andaz brand as it unveils Andaz Maui at Wailea, a resort reflective of and inspired by the destination of Maui, located on 15 pristine acres of southwestern coastline. The first resort for the Andaz brand, Andaz Maui at Wailea will remain true to the signature brand elements that define Andaz hotels around the globe, including offering inspiring experiences that celebrate Maui’s rich, local culture. From the design features and superior service, to the ocean views and relationships in the community, the Hawaiian spirit will be infused throughout the resort,...

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS—How to develop partnerships that result in an innovative, profitable and sustainable product will be the main topic for discussion when tourism planners, policymakers and stakeholders in the tourism sector meet in Trinidad & Tobago in April for the Caribbean’s premier sustainable tourism gathering.The 14th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, otherwise known as the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC-14)—to be held from April 15 to 18—will explore ways the Caribbean can enhance destination sustainability and competitiveness in the current global environment by examining a number of critical issues. These include enriching visitor experiences beyond stereotypical urban and...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Anyone attending The NAFEM Show from February 7 to 9 with the goal of greening up their kitchen would have found hundreds of ways to do so thanks to the innovations brought to the trade show floor by the more than 500 exhibitors in attendance. The North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers event, held every two years, attracted approximately 20,000 foodservice professionals to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.Companies touted advancements in cooking, ventilation, water filtration, water recycling, water heating, cooking oil management, ice making, warewashing, food waste management, refrigeration, balers, and even vegetable, herb...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Education will be a key factor in forwarding the message of sustainability to restaurateurs, other business operators and lawmakers, Scott DeFife, the National Restaurant Association’s executive vice president of policy and government affairs said at the U.S. Composting Council’s annual conference in Orlando, Fla.DeFife, who spoke at the conference’s plenary panel January 29, said the NRA is invested in educating the industry on the importance of sustainability as well as making the business case that underscores its profitability environmentally and economically.“With the help and support of some key leaders in the industry, we created the Conserve Sustainability Education...

CHICAGO—A new Panama resort invites luxury adventure travelers to explore an extraordinary island wilderness. Adjacent to a national marine park in Panama’s Gulf of Chiriqui, Isla Palenque is a 400-acre jungle island where a new luxury resort is opening. The first guests arrive February 14. The Resort at Isla Palenque represents Central America’s only private island ecoresort with sustainability at its core and a menu of amenities to rival those of the best luxury hotels worldwide. From the environmentally sensitive design, which has been honored by the IUCN for biodiversity conservation, to its luxurious offerings, every aspect of the...

STOWE, VERMONT—Trapp Family Lodge has joined with Stowe Land Trust (SLT) to establish a legacy that protects the future of the working landscape in the Stowe region. A one-dollar nightly donation to SLT will help ensure that Stowe’s essential beauty is preserved for the future. Contributions from this partnership will enable SLT to continue its important work of conserving and stewarding Stowe’s farmland, trails, waterfalls and scenic vistas.“The legacy created by this partnership is a natural extension of the von Trapp family’s commitment to conservation and protection of the working landscape,” said Heather Furman, Stowe Land Trust’s executive director.Three...