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...

LOS ANGELES—Angelenos Protecting Hospitality (APH) officially launched. APH is the lead group that will work with Los Angeles voters and stakeholders to defeat a ballot initiative that would force all hotels in the city to house homeless people next to paying guests. Los Angeles residents are set to vote in March 2024 on whether to require all local hotels to house homeless people next to paying guests as part of a measure proposed by Unite Here, a labor union that represents LA-area hotel workers. If the initiative passes, LA would become the first city in American history to force hotels to house homeless people next...

LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles County is partnering with the Weingart Center Assn. to repurpose a Baldwin Park hotel into 107 studio apartments for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, thanks to a new round of Homekey 3.0 grants announced by the State of California, plus funding from the County of Los Angeles, City of Baldwin Park, L.A. Care Health Plan and Health Net. The State awarded a $34.6 million Homekey 3.0 grant to the project, and the Board of Supervisors committed $16 million to meet the “local match” requirement. To pay for supportive services at the site, the County will use Measure H funds, a 10-year quarter-cent sales tax approved by...

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—DSD Renewables has completed a four canopy, 6.5 MW solar portfolio for Caesars Entertainment at the gaming company’s Atlantic City destinations. The installations are across two different Caesars Atlantic City properties and will produce approximately 8.29 MWh of clean energy each year. A fifth canopy is currently under development and is slated to be complete in 2024 bringing the solar portfolio to 7.4 MW. The portfolio supports Caesars’ environmental commitment to promote initiatives and activities that reduce the carbon footprint of Caesars properties. Caesars is one of the largest customers of Atlantic City Electric in Atlantic City—the local utility—and...

BARRIE, ONT.—Forests Ontario has announced a new partnership with Resorts of Ontario aimed at advancing environmental sustainability and forest conservation within Resorts of Ontario’s member resorts and tourism communities across the province. “Resorts of Ontario is thrilled to partner with Forests Ontario to promote responsible and sustainable practices within our industry, and restoration in general within the province,” Kerri King, Executive Director of Resorts of Ontario, says. “So much forest land was impacted in the summer wildfire season. Our association members recognize their roles as stewards of the land, and this collaboration is an important step in making meaningful change...

NATIONAL REPORT—Green Lodging News recently reached out to its list of amenities providers, giving each of them an opportunity to submit a description and image of a new or existing product they would like to highlight. The following are the summaries submitted by four companies. Asheville: A Modern Collection with a Natural Appeal Eco-chic and versatile, the Asheville collection from FOH Worldwide adds a rustic yet modern touch to any presentation. Crafted from sustainable wood, each piece features a distinctive natural grain pattern for a look that’s earthy and unique. Choose from a range of sizes for the perfect display, from buffet stations...

MONTRÉAL—Tourisme Montréal presents the results of its initiatives for sustainable tourism. In just over a year, the organization launched its Sustainable Destination Policy and carried out a series of significant actions that confirmed its position as a leader in sustainable tourism development. The carbon footprint calculator of a visit, the Promise for a sustainable stay, the Guide to best practices for sustainable business events as well as two directories of social and environmental organizations intended for conference organizers are a few examples of the essential resources and tools created by Tourisme Montréal which demonstrate its will and involvement. Classifications & Certifications Tourisme...

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND—U.K. hotels that fail to offer onsite electric vehicle (EV) charging risk driving away guests and missing out on invaluable Total Revenue Per Available Room (TRevPAR), a new report from SMS plc has revealed. Past encounters and the availability of EV charging are causing frustration among hotel guests who’ve embraced the EV revolution. As a result, over two-thirds (67 percent) of respondents state that it is now influencing their choice of hotel, with almost a half (48 percent) of U.K. EV drivers simply choosing not to stay at a hotel without onsite EV charge points. The study of over 1,000...

MCLEAN, VA.—According to a recent global survey conducted by Hilton and Ipsos, travelers say they will reduce other areas of personal spending to prioritize leisure travel in 2024, with a majority across generations indicating their No. 1 reason to travel in 2024 will be to rest and recharge, with more emphasis on sleep than ever before. Those insights and more were unveiled with the launch of Hilton’s third-annual trends report: “What Millennials, Gen Z, Gen X and Baby Boomers Tell Us About Travel in the Year Ahead.” In addition to defining the preferences and passions of the 2024 traveler,...