WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) last week brought together hotel and sustainability leaders in Washington to highlight the hotel industry’s continued commitment and expanding set of programs regarding environmental sustainability at the second annual Responsible Stay Summit. AHLA member companies are increasingly incorporating environmental goals into their business models. AHLA’s Responsible Stay Summit is designed to help hoteliers continue this work through exclusive discussions on topics like Environmental, Social, and Governance strategies, federal energy policy, and financing the green transition. This year’s event highlighted two new developments that support these goals: AHLA and the Hotel Association of Canada announced a partnership to...

NATIONAL REPORT—It used to be the case that organizations were only responsible to their owners and shareholders. The primary goal was to make a profit, and if the business met that objective, it was deemed a success. Now all that has changed: Consumer insight is now a crucial driving force in corporate decision-making. Today, consumers increasingly seek to support organizations that align with their own moral and ethical views. That is particularly true of younger consumers, with Millennials and Gen Z leading the charge. According to one study, 91 percent of Millennials would switch brands to one associated with a cause...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton announced a new exclusive partnership with premier outdoor hospitality company AutoCamp to offer Hilton guests an experience that blends the spirit of an iconic outdoor adventure with the hospitality and design-forward thinking of a boutique hotel, in spectacular settings that include properties adjacent to popular national parks. AutoCamp stays will be bookable on Hilton’s direct channels in the coming months, giving Hilton guests direct access to outdoor hospitality that goes beyond “glamping.” Hilton Honors members will be able to earn and redeem Points and enjoy exclusive member benefits while experiencing sought-after locations across the United States, such as Yosemite, Joshua Tree...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) announced that their formal partnership to operate the Green Key Global sustainability certification program in the U.S. and Canada will take effect April 1. In the meantime, hotel properties can continue to sign up for the Green Key sustainability certification program here. HAC created Green Key Global in 1994 to certify hotels’ environmental sustainability policies and processes, and its certification criteria are aligned with all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The initiative, which provides certifications to hotels around the world, puts hotels through an assessment and audit...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the largest hotel association in the United States, 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. Many hospitality companies have made significant commitments to building positive and sustainable social impact through their supply chains. Procure Impact’s B2B marketplace provides companies the opportunity to easily source responsibly and achieve social impact goals. Each vendor on the Procure Impact platform employs individuals facing barriers to work, including survivors of...

OJAI, CALIF.—Ojai Valley Inn announced that it is in the inaugural class of resorts to achieve the Responsible Hospitality VERIFIED designation, an industry-leading sustainability standard for luxury hospitality. Responsible Hospitality is recognized by Forbes Travel Guide, the global authority on hospitality excellence, as the official sustainability verification for its community of Star-Rated hotels in more than 80 countries. The comprehensive assessment verifies hotels on best practices to protect the environment and support the well-being of employees, guests, and the community—creating a global standard for the world’s finest hotels and a trusted third-party verification for guests. Designed in partnership with highly respected hotelier Hervé...

PARIS—For the first time, Accor joins the ‘A-list’ of global environmental non-profit CDP, as part of the leading companies regarding transparency, management of environment risks and demonstrating the rigor and ambition with which the climate issue is addressed in the company’s business model. Accor is one of the 141 European companies that achieved an ‘A’ on climate change out of over 21,000 companies scored. Moreover, Accor has once again demonstrated its leadership on the climate issue by being the only company, among the leading hospitality companies, to be recognized with an ‘A’. This recognition rewards the work carried out as part...

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—Hotel Casa del Mar, located on the beach in Santa Monica, kicked off a new partnership with Schmidt Ocean Institute with an educational luncheon at the hotel’s newest event space, The Conservatory. The iconic hotel welcomed guests to the stunning oceanfront venue last month for a special afternoon learning about the Ocean Rising initiative and Schmidt Ocean Institute’s deep-sea expeditions and latest discoveries. The luncheon was the first of many events that the hotel and Schmidt Ocean Institute have in store for the new year. Guests viewed art from Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Artist-at-Sea program, which brings artists aboard its research vessel to work alongside scientists, and...

MIAMI—Arlo Wynwood, an experience-driven, 217-room boutique hotel that serves as a cultural hub for locals and visitors alike, has announced a new artist exhibition in its third floor Living Room Gallery. The three-month installation, titled “Our Shadow Remains” (on view February 14 through May 15), highlights the work of Afro-Caribbean visual artist Kandy G Lopez, whose pieces often represent marginalized individuals who inspire and move her. Drawing much of her inspiration from individuals she follows and connects with on social media, Lopez dives deeper into their lives, seeking to understand their experiences to create captivating portraits that reflect their personalities...

NEW YORK—The Open Wing Alliance (OWA), a global coalition of 100 organizations in 72 countries on six continents, released a new animal welfare report: Fair and Fowl: Global Travel Edition. The report examines ethical discrepancies within the hospitality sector, exposing companies that, despite pledging to source 100 percent cage-free eggs in their supply chains in recent years, are refusing to disclose progress on their commitments. The report highlights the importance of corporate transparency and holding companies accountable for the welfare of animals in their supply chains. Among the hospitality laggards called out in the report are Best Western, Capella Hotel Group, and Millennium and Copthorne Hotels for refusing to provide public updates...