MIAMI—SH Hotels & Resorts, the hotel brand management company that operates 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels, announced the appointment of several leaders to key roles across the company. These seasoned hospitality veterans are set to spearhead operations at established 1 Hotel properties spanning North America and Treehouse Silicon Valley opening this year, as well as European locations including Treehouse Manchester, also opening this year, and 1 Hotel Copenhagen. “We are thrilled to bring in and elevate these extraordinary professionals as we continue to rapidly expand across the globe and enter new markets,” said Raul Leal, CEO of SH Hotels & Resorts....

NATIONAL REPORT—You may have heard the adage: what gets measured gets managed. It’s just as relevant today when it comes to more sustainable business travel. As corporations across the world work towards science-based or net-zero targets, many travel buyers are taking a deep dive into scope 3 emissions while looking at their company’s carbon footprint to manage and mitigate travel impacts. Recent legal and regulatory developments around the world, including the European Union Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, require reporting on scope 1, 2, and 3 for certain companies. According to Global Business Travel Association’s 2023 report, The State of Climate Action...

SAN ANTONIO—The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is filled with hidden gems including the elevated artwork that fills this luxurious resort. Hallways and common spaces feature unique, sophisticated work by locally, nationally, and internationally acclaimed artists, giving guests the opportunity to roam the resort to tour and discover the magnificent art pieces curated for guests to enjoy as a new indoor activity. The “Art Walk” takes resort guests throughout the upper and lower-level lobbies where they can view and read about 13 different pieces of art on a self-guided tour. Guides can be picked up at the...

MALAYSIA—Marriott Hotels, the namesake brand of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, announced the opening of Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa on the island of Perhentian Kecil in Terengganu, on the East Coast of Malaysia. Nestled amidst the beauty of the Perhentian Island Marine Park, the opening of Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa marks the flagship brand’s debut in Terengganu. Through the brand’s rich legacy, the new resort invites guests to discover the irresistible charm of a tropical sanctuary that beckons with the unparallelled natural beauty of marine biodiversity, pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a myriad of unforgettable experiences...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced the publication of its 2023 Social Impact and Sustainability Report. The report details the company’s continuing and steadfast commitment to its Social Impact and Sustainability principles of embracing humanity and protecting the planet and building a legacy for generations to come. The report also highlights strategies, programs and performance focused on creating a more sustainable future and making a positive impact on the lives of employees, guests, and communities. “Our legacy is grounded in being visionaries and working together to achieve the ambitious goals we set as a business,” said Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, H.R. 7024, could provide substantial tax relief to hotels across the country, incentivizing investments in renovations and property upgrades, according to a Cornell University study commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. The study, conducted by Cornell’s Center for Hospitality Research, highlights how hotels of all sizes and service levels stand to benefit from H.R. 7024’s provisions to extend 100 percent bonus depreciation and expand deductibility of business interest. The bipartisan bill to temporarily extend these provisions passed the House in January and is now pending in the Senate. Temporarily restoring 100 percent...

NATIONAL REPORT—As the automobile industry experiences a seismic transition toward electrification, the landscape of EV charging infrastructure in the United States is rapidly altering. This article analyzes the dynamic world of EV charging infrastructure and its implications for the future of transportation, from expected rise in electric vehicle (EV) numbers to important factors affecting the evolution of charging networks and possibilities on the horizon. Overview of EV Charging Infrastructure Growth The United States is rapidly narrowing the EV charging infrastructure deficit, with approximately 600 fast-charging stations constructed in the first quarter of 2024 alone, according to the US Department of Energy....

NATIONAL REPORT—In late February, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Procure Impact, a first-of-its-kind B2B marketplace for products that support overlooked communities, announced the launch of the Dignity of Work Pledge, an initiative to create 100,000 hours of paid employment for overlooked populations. At the time of the announcement, eight hotel companies had signed the Pledge. According to Jen Collins, President of Procure Impact, three companies have since signed on, five have verbally committed, and Procure Impact is in conversation with 15 more. There are now more than 150,000 hotel rooms represented. Hotel companies that purchase from companies in...

DALTON, GA.—The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) announced that the California Carpet Stewardship Program has surpassed its annual carpet recycling goal for the second year in a row. The new data released by the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) show the Program achieved a 35.1 percent recycling rate in 2023, surpassing its target goal of 31 percent. This achievement is attributed to collaborative efforts between the carpet industry and CalRecycle. “As significant contributors to carpet recycling in California, The CRI and our members are encouraged by the ongoing accomplishments of the California Carpet Stewardship Program. The continued growth is a clear indication of the valuable collaboration among...

PORTLAND, ORE.—On March 13, Block 216 was awarded LEED Gold by the US Green Building Council. For developer BPM and GBD Architects, creating a green and sustainable building was a priority from the beginning of the project. The tower itself was designed with a mechanical system which will reduce energy usage by an estimated 13 percent along with enhanced indoor air quality strategies, which provide 30 percent increased ventilation rates above the LEED minimum. Further, the eco-roof holds enough water to account for the 90th percentile of storm events and strategically reduces run-off in the city’s sewers. Additionally, the roof and grounds...