NATIONAL REPORT—A clean down duvet will perform at its best when washed about once per year. While it is suggested to follow the manufacturer’s recommended washing instructions, the following is generally the best way to wash your down product. STEP 0: What Not to Do The three biggest mistakes people make when laundering down products are 1) using harsh detergents, )2) not drying completely, and 3) overloading washers/dryers. Avoiding these mistakes will help your down last longer and perform better. STEP 1: Use the Right Detergent It is critical to start with a detergent specifically created for down products. Once you have detergent in-hand,...

NEW YORK—The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), with more than 400 independent luxury hotels in over 80 countries, unveiled their Sustainability Leaders collection. From modern metropolitan towers to tented jungle sanctuaries, the collection was created to recognize Leading Hotels that are committed to preserving the environment and the cherished values and cultural heritage of their destinations. “We are excited to introduce our Sustainability Leaders Collection to celebrate our member hotels who have gone above and beyond to protect their piece of the planet,” said Lauren Alba, Vice President Global Marketing and Communications, The Leading Hotels of the World. “The...

TAMPA, FLA.—The University of South Florida (USF) Muma College of Business and McKibbon Hospitality announced an all-new interactive learning experience designed to equip hospitality students with a competitive training advantage through hands-on shadowing experience and mentorship from seasoned industry professionals. Making its official debut this month, the McKibbon Cooperative Learning Program has accepted its first two students who will shadow leaders throughout McKibbon’s portfolio of Tampa-based hotels and corporate office across two semesters, immersing themselves in a wide variety of real-world working environments that directly complement their studies. Students will rotate across McKibbon’s different departments and properties, working closely with...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA—In a defining moment for the global Travel & Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC) initiated by the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia released the latest industry-shaping Environmental Impact Research data. Last year, during the WTTC Global Summit in Riyadh, the two organizations launched the collaboration and unveiled the inaugural results including the sector’s accurate greenhouse gas emissions for the first time ever. This represents the most comprehensive environmental data in Travel & Tourism’s history. H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, said: “We welcome this...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The percentage of hotel industry board seats held by Black members and women members, respectively, is going up. That’s according to recent research commissioned by AHLA Foundation and conducted by Penn State’s School of Hospitality Management. The increase exceeds the 2022 average in both categories for firms in the Russell 3000 Index, signaling progress in the effort to diversify corporate boards. The report highlights multiple gains for the industry. The 2022 data set analyzed 230 board members at 28 companies between 2016 to 2022. Key findings include: Women occupied 31.3 percent of independent board seats on hotel public company boards...

BANGKOK—Adding another layer to its sustainability pledge, luxury hospitality brand Anantara Hotels and Resorts is rolling out its signature CSR program “Dollar for Deeds” at all of its properties worldwide. First introduced almost a decade ago at select hotels in Thailand, Anantara’s home base, the initiative has been integrated into the growth strategies of the brand globally. Designed as an opt-in program for guests, Dollar for Deeds encourages travelers to give back to the community by donating to a range of worthy causes, each handpicked to impact the environment, sustainability, and the community in the most effective way. Under this...

NEW HAVEN, CONN.—Just a few weeks ago, it was announced that the anticipated net-zero energy Hotel Marcel New Haven, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, has achieved Passive House certification from Passive House Institute (PHI). The accomplishment is one in a long series of accomplishments for Bruce Redman Becker, architect and developer of the 165-room hotel that once was the Armstrong Rubber Company Building, aka Pirelli Building. Green Lodging News spoke with Becker to learn about the Passive House certification and to get caught up on how his LEED Platinum building has performed since it opened in May 2022. According to the Passive House Institute,...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corp. and Headspace announced the expansion of the collaboration between Hyatt and Headspace to continue supporting guests’ wellbeing with new colored noise content for World of Hyatt members and guests. Beginning October 11, Hyatt will be the only hospitality company to offer guests and members a complimentary sampling of relaxing sounds from Headspace’s premium colored noise collection. Available via the World of Hyatt App and in-room televisions at select properties across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, this spectrum of sounds can help one drift off, relax or focus. Whether at home or on the road, those looking to complement...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) announced that the Arc performance platform is tracking 10 billion square feet of project space in 148 countries—an increase of nearly three billion square feet over the last 12 months. The growth demonstrates a rapidly increasing sustainability practice by companies and organizations to track and benchmark building performance to showcase their environmental and social responsibility efforts. Arc metrics also enable users to identify and address energy inefficiencies, ultimately reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impact of climate change. “Tracking and improving building performance is critical to decarbonize the built environment at the speed and scale...

LONDON—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announced a major new partnership, aligning to establish a structured framework for hotel sustainability, leading to GSTC Certification. The partnership endorses the existing WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics while paving the way for a stepped progression toward GSTC Certification* for sustainable hotels. In an era where sustainability is paramount, WTTC and GSTC are joining forces to send a potent message to the market regarding the coherence and collaboration in the Travel & Tourism sector. The three-stage framework for hotel sustainability will now see the integration between the WTTC Hotel...