SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF.—Visit San Luis Obispo is partnering with Kind Traveler’s Every Stay Gives Back program to offer new inspiration for eco-friendly travel on California’s Central Coast. Affectionately referred to as SLO, San Luis Obispo’s Keys for Trees program means every guest staying overnight in any of its 42 hotels will contribute to the planting of new trees in the city, bettering the place with each visit. SLO’s partnership with Kind Traveler provides live impact reports and communication tools, making it fun and easy for visitors to see how their travel creates a positive impact and other ways...

NATIONAL REPORT—Your pool is likely one of your guests’ most loved amenities, but, as you know, with great fun comes great responsibility. It’s essential to take all measures to help ensure guests remain safe at your pool, including drowning prevention. Drowning is one of the most traumatic things that can happen in any scenario, but it is especially tragic when it happens at a hotel pool. For the most part, people stay at hotels for leisure and fun. Nobody has drowning in their plans, but unfortunately, they occur and must be acknowledged and addressed. Drownings may be more common than...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—In a significant move that underscores its expanding global influence and commitment to sustainable practices across the globe, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance announces its rebranding to the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance). This historic announcement was made on stage at the prestigious Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh, marking a new chapter in the organization’s mission to advance Net Positive Hospitality for people, planet, place, and prosperity. The Alliance, with a storied 30-year legacy, has evolved into a formidable global charity encompassing the entire hospitality value chain. From its inception with 14 members in 2021, the Alliance has seen...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the leading authority on green building and the global developer of the LEED green building program, announced the opening of the first public comment period for its draft rating system, LEED v5. This step marks a milestone for LEED and the building industry at large, providing a comprehensive framework for creating sustainable, efficient, and resilient built environments that promote environmental responsibility, economic viability, and social equity. “Buildings offer immediate opportunities for addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, equity, health, and so much more when they are designed, built, and operated with intent,” said Peter Templeton, President &...

OTTAWA, ONT.—In a significant move to bolster sustainability within the hospitality industry, Green Key Global has partnered with Choice Hotels Canada, one of the country’s leading hotel franchisors. This collaboration extends preferential access to Green Key Global’s esteemed sustainability certification program to Canadian properties. Green Key Global, a best-in-class sustainable certification body for hotels, is powered by the Hotel Association of Canada and the American Hotel and Lodging Assn. The program’s certification process evaluates hotels based on four critical pillars: sustainable management, environmental impacts, cultural impacts, and socioeconomic impacts. Green Key Global’s certification process is designed to lend credibility to hotels’ corporate social responsibility...

NEW YORK—A recent forecast from the U.S. Travel Association found that the business travel industry is expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels by 2025. And with corporate travel and business travel spending poised for a full recovery, the business travel industry is rapidly evolving. From sustainable practices to cutting-edge technology, Amex Global Business Travel identified seven travel industry trends that are redefining the future of the travel industry and reshaping business travel solutions. 1. Employee Health and Well-Being are a Priority in the Post-pandemic World—One of the biggest business travel trends to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic is a growing investment in solutions...

LAS VEGAS—Wynn Resorts has released its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report and Corporate Responsibility Review outlining the company’s 2023 responsibility programs. The reports showcase ongoing initiatives including nationwide philanthropic efforts and impactful sustainability practices. The Wynn Resorts ESG Report presents information that references select Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and Sustainability Accounting Board Standards (SASB). The Corporate Responsibility Review recounts commitments to employees, the positive impacts of Wynn’s activities in the communities in which it operates, and long-term goals of doing the right thing for the planet. “If you look at our Core Values and Behaviors in this report, you will see that...

CHICAGO—The 55th edition of NeoCon, June 10 to 12, at THE MART in Chicago, is shaping up to be a rich experience with over 400 leading and emergent brands. This year, 18 companies are set to unveil new permanent spaces, from establishing inaugural new showrooms, to reimagining, renovating, and expanding existing footprints. Exhibitors are pulling out all the stops with groundbreaking product launches and immersive displays, leveraging their presence at THE MART and NeoCon to capitalize on the event’s capacity to drive growth and foster quality business opportunities. The 7th floor, organized by product category, serves as a premier venue...

BETHESDA, MD.—Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., the nation’s largest lodging real estate investment trust, announced that it has acquired the fee simple interest in a two-hotel complex comprising the 215-room 1 Hotel Nashville and the 506-room Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown (together, the “Property”) for approximately $530 million in cash. The acquisition price represents a 12.6x EBITDA multiple or a cap rate of approximately 7.4 percent on the Property’s 2024 estimated results. The Property is expected to be among Host’s top-25 assets based on estimated full year 2024 results, with expected combined RevPAR of $275, Total RevPAR of $435, and EBITDA...

MILAN, ITALY—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced that its Hotel Sustainability Basics has achieved a significant milestone, with 3,400 properties now verified across almost 80 countries. Designed to help hoteliers on their first steps to improve their sustainability ratings and raise the bar of sustainability across the global hospitality industry, this independent global sustainability verification program is overseen by internationally recognized verifiers Green Key and SGS. It empowers hotels of all sizes to follow a 12-step program aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting nature conservation, and ensuring local communities benefit from a hotel’s operations. This latest achievement marks a pivotal...