NEOM, SAUDI ARABIA—Luxury ecotourism in Saudi Arabia has taken a major step forward with the announcement of Zardun, an exclusive sanctuary resort developed by NEOM, the sustainable region taking shape in the northwest of the Kingdom. Announced by the NEOM Board of Directors, Zardun has been designed to seamlessly blend contemporary luxury with nature. The unique destination is the latest in a series of coastal assets that form part of the ongoing development taking place across the NEOM region. Overlooking the crystalline waters of the Gulf of Aqaba, Zardun is a nature-based resort that will host four ultra-luxury signature buildings, all of which will...

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA.—Capitalizing on the growing percentage of road travelers who drive electric vehicles (EVs), the online Stay-N-Charge directory of lodging establishments with EV chargers in North America is gaining serious traction. A recent search on the site produced 1,353 properties with EV charging stations. The directory serves as a marketing tool for owners as well as a helpful resource for travelers looking for a place to stay and charge. Tony Booth, founder, and CEO of Stay-N-Charge, says that in the U.S. about 2 percent of car owners now drive EVs. In California it is about 15 percent. “Nationwide,...

LOS ANGELES—Blackstone’s planned acquisition of the single-family rental company Tricon Residential will further exacerbate the housing affordability crisis and harm tenants and workers, according to UNITE HERE Local 11, AFSCME Local 3299, the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) and the Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP). As Blackstone seeks to grow as a landlord, workers at its hotel properties struggle to afford rent. Workers at the Blackstone-owned Fairfield LAX/El Segundo, Aloft LAX/El Segundo and Sheraton Phoenix went on strike last year and continue to fight for a contract that will provide living wages, affordable benefits, and adequate staffing. While 29 hotels...

COLUMBUS, OHIO—Red Roof is once again partnering with Canine Companions through its Room In Your Heart (RIYH) purpose-driven program. Canine Companions is an organization that transforms the lives of people with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs to those in need, including veterans. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ben Connor says his Canine Companions Service Dog, Sims, has brought structure and joy back to his life by doing things for him that most people take for granted. Travelers who book and stay at any Red Roof Inn, Red Roof PLUS+, HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof, or The Red Collection property from February 1,...

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...