LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International has been named a Pinnacle Inclusion Index Company in the 2023 Seramount Inclusion Index. Renowned as the preeminent organization for diversity thought leaders to share best practices and develop innovative solutions for cultural change, Seramount’s recognition underscores MGM Resorts’ commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across its operations. MGM Resorts is among 26 organizations recognized as Pinnacle Inclusion Index Companies for the first time since participating in the index. This highest-rated tier is awarded to organizations that excel in three key areas: effective practices in the recruitment, retention, and advancement of people from underrepresented groups; fostering...

SAINT KITTS—Sunset Reef Hotel in St Kitts has earned the prestigious title of Sustainable Hotel of The Year at the Caribbean Journal’s Caribbean Travel Awards 2024. The awards, hosted on the Caribbean Journal’s website, recognized outstanding contributions to the region’s success across various categories. Sunset Reef Hotel’s victory underscores its unwavering commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism. Highlighted as a benchmark for the industry, the hotel merges luxurious hospitality with innovative environmental practices. The resort prioritizes renewable energy management with an efficient air conditioning system and energy from pools. In addition, the resort is committed to water conservation and implements a strict no-plastic...

ATLANTA—Coverings (coverings.com), the preeminent event for the ceramic tile and natural stone industry in North America, has announced a select lineup of featured educational opportunities for Coverings 2024, which will take place April 22 to 25, 2024, at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta. Education at Coverings 2024 will span all tile and stone industry segments with a focus on Coverings’ four learning tenets, which include “Sustainability,” “Health & Wellness,” “Outdoor Spaces” and “Timeless Luxury,” along with a wide range of many other relevant and impactful topics. Eventgoers will be able to benefit from live demonstrations, show floor...

NATIONAL REPORT—Cold and flu season is here, which means facility managers face the dual challenge of helping promote a healthy environment for facility occupants while maintaining sustainable efforts. Although flu season occurs in the fall and winter seasons, its peak activity is now until February. As a facility manager, you play an important role in helping ensure your facility stays clean and occupants stay healthy during this time. Here are several sustainable considerations you can incorporate in your facility’s cleaning routine to help your occupants stay healthy. Focus Your Cleaning Routine During this period, many facilities see an uptick in foot traffic...

NEW YORK—NH Collection New York Madison Avenue debuted NH and NH Collection’s Hotels with a Heart program, in collaboration with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, this past holiday season. Hotels with a Heart is an initiative that aims to ensure that children and young people suffering from a serious illness, who have been hospitalized far from their usual place of residence, can be accompanied by their closest family members while they receive treatment. Throughout the year, and especially during the holidays, NH and NH Collection hotels work closely with NGOs and charity foundations in the main cities of Europe and America to provide free accommodations to...

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF.—Shashi Hotel, a premier urban resort nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley in Mountain View, California by Shashi Group, announced that it has been awarded LEED Gold certification by USGBC. LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. Through design, construction and operational practices that improve environmental and human health, LEED-certified buildings are helping to make the world more sustainable. “At Shashi Hotel, our goal has always been to provide guests with the best customer experience possible, while also solidifying ourselves as the most disruptive and empowering technologically driven lodging...

EAGLE BEACH, ARUBA—Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort and its sister property, MVC Eagle Beach Aruba have achieved Certified Master status and Certified Platinum status, respectively, through EarthCheck, a leading business advisory group specializing in sustainability and destination management for the travel and tourism industry. “We are extremely proud to receive these prestigious recognitions for our commitment to sustainable tourism in Aruba,” says General Manager Alfred Kaufmann of Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort. “We will continue to prioritize eco-friendly practices as we strive to create unforgettable and sustainable experiences for our guests.” To avoid catastrophic climate change, the world needs to limit the global temperature increase to...

RICHMOND, VA.—Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. published its annual Corporate Responsibility Report, which details the company’s environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) performance, strategy and initiatives and features its commitment to environmental sustainability, corporate employees, hotel associates and guests, communities, and other stakeholders. “Apple Hospitality has always worked to uphold high ESG standards and believes these key areas of focus are an integral part of driving long-term value for our shareholders,” said Justin Knight, CEO of Apple Hospitality. “As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we are pleased to report Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions for 2022. We are...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—AHLA Foundation, in partnership with the Employment and Training Administration Office of Apprenticeship at the U.S. Department of Labor, will expand its registered apprenticeship programs for the hospitality industry. The $505,000 grant will enable AHLA Foundation to serve more than 400 apprentices in one of three pathways: Lodging Manager, Hotel Cook, and Maintenance. Since 2018, AHLA Foundation’s program has enrolled approximately 2,000 apprentices with 83 employers across the country. Through a combination of on-the-job learning and online education, registered apprenticeship has a proven track record of producing highly qualified and upskilled workers. Apprenticeship has been vital to the post-pandemic...

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA—IHG Hotels & Resorts introduces the eco-friendly InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort, in partnership with leading Taipei real estate broker Zhancheng Tourism Development, a subsidiary of Sinyi Realty Inc., a listed real estate brokerage company in Taipei. The 450-room new-build beachfront resort, located in Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah state in northern Borneo, marks a new milestone in the impressive growth of IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio in Malaysia. Opening in 2027, InterContinental Sabah Kota Kinabalu Resort will adopt environmentally friendly practices throughout its design, construction and operations, and provide guests with immersive, close-to-nature stays through experiences that value, protect...