DALLAS—A civil lawsuit filed by Fortenberry Firm PLLC in Dallas County, Texas, asserts claims of sex trafficking on behalf of the 15-year-old girl who disappeared from a Dallas Mavericks basketball game on April 8, 2022. According to the suit, the teenage girl was drugged and taken to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where she was handed over to a registered sex offender and pimp at an Extended Stay America hotel. The suit details that prior to the teenage victim’s arrival, there were multiple online reviews of the hotel complaining of pimps, prostitutes, hookers, and sexual activity in the parking lot. Additionally, there were several police...

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—With its Florida Green Lodging Program, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has one of the largest state-level hotel green designation programs in the United States. As of January 10, the Program had 319 designated Florida Green Lodging properties. The program is certainly one of the oldest as well, having launched in 2004. In its assessment of lodging establishments, the points-based Florida Green Lodging Program looks at the following five categories: 1. Communication and education (customers, employees, public). 2. Waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. 3. Water conservation. 4. Energy efficiency. 5. Indoor air quality. Properties can earn one of four designations: One Palm, Two Palm,...

MIAMI—A new report released by the nonprofit Global Wellness Institute (GWI) is the only research to answer key questions about the wellness industry. How big is the total wellness market for each country? Which countries’ markets are growing fastest post-pandemic? How much do people spend per capita each year on wellness in each nation? What is the wellness market’s contribution to each country’s overall economy/GDP? The Global Wellness Economy: Country Rankings is packed with data. It finds that the U.S. remains the undisputed goliath in wellness spending, with an annual market worth $1.8 trillion, and ranking first in 9 of the...

BROOMFIELD, COLO.—Vail Resorts, Inc. announced the release of its 2022/23 Environmental & Social Responsibility Report. In 2017, Vail Resorts announced Commitment to Zero, a bold goal to achieve a zero net operating footprint by 2030, including zero net emissions, zero waste to landfill, and zero net operating impact to forests and habitat. The company shared it is ahead of schedule to reach its emissions goals, and on track for the broader goal of reaching a zero net operating footprint by 2030. With a commitment to make its mountain resorts more sustainable and inclusive, the company has made progress across all four pillars of...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As more than two thirds of hotels continue to experience staffing shortages, hoteliers are offering more pay and a host of incentives to attract and retain talent, according to a new survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Over the last six months, 82 percent of respondents have increased wages, which hit a record high average for hotels in December 2023. In addition, 59 percent are offering greater flexibility with hours, and 33 percent are expanding benefits. Nonetheless, 72 percent say they are still unable to fill open positions. Sixty-seven percent of survey respondents said they are experiencing a staffing...

AMSTERDAM—As nature faces unprecedented pressures, with human activity the leading cause for one million animal and plant species being pushed to the brink of extinction, GRI has published a major update to its Biodiversity Standard. Setting a new global benchmark in accountability for biodiversity impacts, GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024 supports organizations around the world to comprehensively disclose their most significant impacts on biodiversity, throughout their operations and value chain. Enabling companies to meet growing demands from multiple stakeholders for information on biodiversity impacts, the GRI Biodiversity Standard delivers: Full transparency throughout the supply chain—often where the most significant impacts on biodiversity can go...

BRANSON, MO.—Three Jefferson County, Missouri, families are suing Grand Plaza Hotel in Branson, claiming the luxury hotel negligently shocked the pool, a process where strong chemicals like chlorine are used to destroy contaminants, two times while kids and adults were swimming in it. The incident transpired over Mother’s Day weekend in May 2021 when a hotel employee used a commercial-grade pool cleaner with a warning on the label: “no one can be in the pool when chemicals are being added directly to the pool,” according to the complaint. The suit states that because of the hotel’s safety failures, several children required medical attention,...

DOMINICA—The Commonwealth of Dominica, the resilient and eco-conscious island nation, has earned a spot in the prestigious list of Top 10 Sustainable Destinations in 2024 by BBC Travel. This recognition emphasizes Dominica’s steadfast commitment to sustainability, resilience, and environmental preservation. In the face of adversity, particularly Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria, Dominica demonstrated remarkable resilience, earning praise from BBC Travel for its determined efforts in rebuilding and embracing sustainability. Prime Minister of Dominica, Honorable Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, is well on his way in transforming Dominica into the “world’s first climate resilient nation” and propelling the nation towards becoming a...

NORTH BETHESDA, MD.—Choice Hotels International, one of the world’s largest hotel franchisors, announced an agreement with Tesla to offer Tesla Universal Wall Connectors to participating Radisson, Cambria, Comfort, Country Inn & Suites, Quality Inn, and other Choice-branded hotels across the U.S. Through this agreement, Choice-branded properties can add four or more charging stations for guests, helping to meet the growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging and eliminate one of the biggest pain points for EV drivers traveling for business or leisure. To find a hotel with a charging station, travelers can use the EV charging filter on ChoiceHotels.com and...

MENDOZA, ARGENTINA—SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites in Mendoza has been awarded Silver Certification by the Hoteles Más Verdes program, a rigorous certification initiative from the Asociación de Hoteles de Turismo de la República Argentina (AHT) that recognizes hotels and tourism accommodations that demonstrate superior environmental performance and sustainable practices. Inspired by global sustainable tourism certification programs, the certification for the Hoteles Más Verdes award involves a comprehensive evaluation of a hotel’s management practices, environmental policies, and overall contribution to cultural and natural heritage preservation. This achievement underscores the hotel’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability, excellent design, and community...