CHIANG RAI, THAILAND—The community-focused Visama Mae Chan luxury tented camp in the hill country of Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, opened December 1. The new project, with 10 luxuriously appointed tents, aims to deliver a holistic and immersive holiday experience combining cultural and nature activities, high end northern Thai culinary fare, much of it organic and sourced on an adjacent farm, and fully appointed luxury tents in four categories. Each accommodation category has a hill tribe name such as “Akha”, “Yao”, “Lahu”, and “Lisu”. The sumptuous tents, on raised platforms in a peaceful hill country setting, range in size from 48 to...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton announced it has been recognized on both the World and North America Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the seventh consecutive year. Hilton remains the only hospitality company recognized by DJSI, the most prestigious ranking for corporate sustainability performance. The achievement reaffirms Hilton’s commitment to Travel with Purpose, its industry leading environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy, and caps a landmark year for the hospitality leader as it continues to drive responsible travel and tourism forward across the industry. “Hilton was founded on the belief that hospitality can be a powerful force for good, and that founding purpose still guides us...

LONDON—The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Hotel Sustainability Basics is set to end its first year on a high with more than 1,300 hotels verified, across more than 30 countries from around the world. The Hotel Sustainability Basics is an independent global sustainability verification program, overseen by internationally recognized verifiers, Green Key and SGS. The aim is for hotels around the world, regardless of their size, to follow a 12-step program to reduce carbon emissions, protect and promote nature, and ensure local communities benefit from the hotel. It is achievable for all hotels to implement as a bare minimum, and crucially,...

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND—Sweeply, a leading innovator in housekeeping and task management solutions for the hospitality sector, announced its strategic partnership with Hotels for Trees, an eco-conscious initiative dedicated to global reforestation efforts. This collaboration signifies a significant leap forward in fostering sustainability within the hospitality industry. With a presence in over 12 countries and serving more than 150 clients, Sweeply is an industry specialist in housekeeping and task management. Hotels for Trees, founded in 2021 by industry veterans Linde Borger and Floris Licht, is committed to counteracting the hospitality sector’s environmental impact by planting trees for every stayover room cleaning skipped...

CEDAR CREEK, TEXAS—When the developers of the new eco-luxury hotel located about 20 minutes from downtown Austin describe their new property as being “heavenly,” they are not kidding. The hotel, which consists of 12 dome-style villas, a 200,000-gallon natural water pool, and restaurant is called “The Heavens.” Set to open in mid-2025, each villa is named after a constellation and features handcrafted stained-glass windows, bottle artwork on the ceiling representing the constellation, and reclaimed cedar wood furnishings. Developer Dan Mages says four of the villas are completed and the rough plumbing has been completed for the fifth one. “We call them...

DENVER—Sage Hospitality Group has unveiled its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, a testament to the company’s unwavering dedication to sustainability, ethical business practices, and responsible corporate citizenship. Access the full report here. As a privately owned and operated company, Sage’s decision to voluntarily produce and share this comprehensive ESG Report underscores its commitment to transparency and purpose. The document outlines Sage’s strategy, goals, and achievements to date, marking a pivotal step in aligning the company’s operations with the highest standards of corporate responsibility and social impact. “We believe that by integrating environmental, social and governance principles into our daily operations, we not...

KHAO LAK, THAILAND—Embracing the true spirit of Christmas and environmental responsibility, OUTRIGGER Khao Lak Beach Resort is presenting an elegant and sustainable Christmas tree in its lobby. Designed by the resort’s dedicated hosts, this innovative Christmas tree is crafted entirely from recycled plastic bottles, adorned with twinkling lights, and embellished with recycled ornaments, creating a striking symbol of sustainability and holiday cheer. “The tree symbolizes our unwavering commitment to sustainability and is inspired by OUTRIGGER Zone, our global conservation initiative. It serves as a powerful reminder of the positive impact we can make by embracing eco-friendly practices in the travel...

SANTA FE, N.M.—On April 8, 2024, a Total Solar Eclipse will sweep across the United States from Texas to Maine sending millions of Americans into darkness. A total of 31 million Americans currently live inside the path of totality. Millions more will travel on eclipse day to witness nature’s greatest sight. Knowing how many people may come, and the places they will gather is important information for communities, first responders, and businesses inside the path. To aid community planners and help eclipse visitors avoid the worst traffic, Great American Eclipse has developed a geographic model to estimate how many people will travel...

PALMA DE MALLORCA, SPAIN—Iberostar Group, a leader in responsible tourism, unveiled its new roadmap showcasing its commitment to circular economy principles at the 28th edition of the United Nations Conference (COP28) in Dubai, at the UNWTO event: Tourism United for Climate Action—Delivering on the Commitments of the Glasgow Declaration. Its latest report serves as a bold statement of intent, signaling a commitment to drive value and continuous improvement at its destinations. It also outlines Iberostar’s progress on decarbonization, waste management, and reduction of single-use plastics, including learnings from its first approaches. Innovation and collaboration stand as paramount pillars in shaping the value chain, with the report emphasizing their pivotal roles. The collaborative...

ATLANTA—AAHOA, the nation’s largest hotel owners association, with nearly 20,0000 members who own 60 percent of hotels in the nation, announced the launch of HYPE Ownership: Helping Young Professionals Evolve, an initiative dedicated to fostering the growth and success of emerging hoteliers within AAHOA and across the broader industry. “AAHOA is excited to launch HYPE Ownership, a visionary initiative spotlighting the rising stars of the hotel industry and paving the way for a dynamic future led by young professionals,” said AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake. “It is our commitment to the next generation of leaders of AAHOA as we seek...