NATIONAL REPORT—The economic disruption of COVID-19 may have largely come and gone, but not every sector has been able to quickly bounce back. This is particularly true for the SMBs (small to medium-sized businesses) in the hospitality sector like restaurants and hotels, which operate on tight margins—even in the best of times—and continue to face mounting costs, especially from labor, food, and energy. At the same time, these businesses are increasingly on the receiving end of consumer and stakeholder pressure to balance sustainability with profitability. The changing hospitality landscape has led many businesses to undergo sweeping efficiency projects, from adopting...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced that it has donated five million meals into the community since 2016, marking the achievement of a 2025 social impact and sustainability goal well ahead of schedule. In 2023 alone, the company donated more than 1.2 million meals to feed food insecure people in local communities. The five million meals were donated through the MGM Resorts Feeding Forward program. Many were the result of grants to organizations that focus on hunger relief and funded meals donated to local nonprofit organizations. Other donations involved rescuing unserved food from multiple points along the company’s food and beverage...

CHEVY CHASE, MD.—PM Hotel Group, a Top-15 hotel management company based in the Washington D.C. metro area, announces the publication of its sixth annual sustainability report, showcasing the impactful strides made in its environmental and social responsibility programs throughout 2023. “At PM Hotel Group, a successful sustainability program is one that has broad engagement and is embedded in every aspect of our operations,” said Joseph Bojanowski, President, PM Hotel Group. “For the sixth consecutive year, we are proud to share the results of our annual sustainability initiatives and report on the continued growth of our sustainability programs.” PM Hotel Group is...

NEW ORLEANS—iSeatz, a leading provider of travel loyalty technology, has released its 5th annual State of Loyalty: Hospitality Rewards Report. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse and dynamic landscape of hotels, casino hotels, and vacation club brands, each with a unique portfolio of rewards and approaches to how their loyalty program members can earn and redeem points. What the analyzed hotels all have in common this year, according to the State of Loyalty: 2024 Hospitality Rewards Report, is that they are expanding the opportunities available to their loyalty members. In the aggregate, reward portfolios grew across nearly all categories compared to 2023, likely in...

CHICAGO—You’re hoping to become more sustainable, making efforts to cut your carbon footprint—reducing food waste, using energy- and water-efficient equipment, reusing, recycling, and even composting. But what do you know about the products you buy, how they’re grown, raised, manufactured, or processed? While your menu automatically impacts your carbon footprint (a barbecue or burger concept will naturally have a bigger footprint than a salad concept), there are ways to make sustainability a key part of your purchasing criteria. Taking a little extra time to vet your supplies and talk over options with your suppliers can help you build your sustainability...

ITHACA, N.Y.—Join leading experts from the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration and beyond on May 29 as they unveil the latest results from the 10th annual Cornell Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking Index, which tracks energy, water, and carbon emissions of more than 27,000 hotels from over 40 companies. The results explore differences in performance across and within hotel segments and markets as well as the industrywide pathways of decarbonization. While these KPIs have solidified over the past decade, other sustainability indicators are arising and gaining importance. The breadth of climate change and biodiversity impacts continue to be better understood, mapped, and...

GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA—Rio Perdido, the esteemed eco-luxury boutique hotel tucked away in the vibrantly lush and biodiverse tropical dry forest in the Guanacaste Province of western Costa Rica, introduces the new West Bungalows. Strategically positioned near the breathtaking Rio Blanco Canyon, each bungalow offers an unparalleled connection to nature while providing a haven of comfort, privacy, and tranquility for sustainably minded wellness seekers and adventure travelers looking for a deeply healing forest hideaway. The flagship West Bungalows boast a sophisticated yet understated layout, featuring a spacious roofed area of nearly 950 square feet. Guests will be greeted by a 170-square-foot open-air entrance terrace adorned...

CHICAGO—World of Hyatt, Hyatt’s award-winning loyalty program, is teaming up with Peloton to become the first global hospitality loyalty program with plans to reward its loyalty members for doing more of what they love—earning World of Hyatt points when they use Peloton equipment at Hyatt properties in countries where Peloton currently operates. In the future, that will mean more opportunities to earn World of Hyatt points to apply towards future bookings, upgrades, and experiences just by investing in their own wellbeing when they travel. The collaboration is set to outfit 800+ Hyatt properties with Peloton equipment and provide access...

TOKYO—The Tokyo Station Hotel is taking action to combat global warming. With the program, the hotel virtually eliminates carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during guests’ stay at its cost, no matter through what channels they make a reservation. Hotel guests will automatically contribute to environmental conservation by simply staying in the hotel. Moreover, the hotel has undertaken other initiatives such as food waste reduction, community contribution, and energy conservation, and will continue to make efforts to help achieve a sustainable world. Restaurant Blanc Rouge, proactively involved in SDGs initiatives by reducing food loss and promoting sourcing from local producers, updated its...

TAOS SKI VALLEY, N.M.—Taos Ski Valley announced that it continues to grow its commitment to workforce housing and below-market local housing. In 2018 the resort had three housing units for approximately 20 staff members. This year the resort will expand its workforce housing from a current capacity of 150 staff members to close to 200 staff members by Fall 2024. Additionally, Taos Ski Valley is now directing a $2 per room, per night community impact contribution to hotel stays at the resort’s slopeside property The Blake to the Taos Housing Partnership to support its efforts to address below-market housing solutions in Taos. Funds totaled more than $13,000 for the Winter 24...