NEW YORK—A study published in Building & Environment found organizations that achieved WELL Certification experienced higher-performing workplaces than their non-certified peers, underscoring the importance of prioritizing employee health and well-being in buildings. The study, “The potential of high-performance workplaces for boosting worker productivity, health, and creativity: A comparison between WELL and non-WELL certified environments,” published in the September edition of Building & Environment, analyzed the largest data set of occupant responses to date comparing performance between WELL Certified and non-certified workplaces across the Asia-Pacific region, including New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong. “Our findings show that benefits related to satisfaction, health, productivity, and creativity may...

BETHESDA, MD.—In a world that moves at a rapid pace, finding moments of pause and self-care is paramount to maintaining momentum. Delta Hotels by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of 31 hotel brands, is furthering its commitment to creating seamless and thoughtful travel experiences by introducing an exclusive new and complimentary hydration program with waterdrop, whose mission is to encourage people to drink more water so that they can live a healthier, longer, and more sustainable life. Guests checking into any of Delta Hotels’ more than 120 locations around the world—including the new Delta Hotels by Marriott New York Times Square—can now...

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—Scandic announced it will expand its Signature Collection with hotels in Tromsø, Norway, and Aarhus, Denmark. The Tromsø hotel will open in 2025 and the Aarhus hotel in 2026. The target sector for the two hotels: the leisure segment. Today, Scandic has five signature hotels in Stockholm, Helsinki, Bergen and Oslo that target global travelers who consider the hotel stay to be the destination, regardless of the purpose of a trip. Scandic’s Signature Collection is a range of lifestyle hotels that have been developed to bring out a hotel’s individual character and satisfy travelers for whom the hotel stay,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) have signed a Letter of Intent to form a joint venture company that will own and operate the Green Key Global certification program in the United States and Canada. The announcement was made at the Lodging Conference in Phoenix. Green Key Global is a North American environmental certification body for the hotel and lodging industry. Green Key’s certification criteria are recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and aligned with all 17 of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Properties receive an eco-rating...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) recently announced the result of its annual recycled content survey, which reports its members’ use of recycled materials. In 2022, NAIMA members in the United States and Canada used more than 3.4 billion pounds of recycled glass and slag in the production of residential, commercial, industrial, and air-handling thermal and acoustical insulation. More specifically, the data showed that in 2022, facilities in the United States used more than 2.3 billion pounds of recycled glass, while Canadian facilities used more than 357 million pounds. U.S. and Canadian facilities reported a combined use of...

CHICAGO—Waterton, a Chicago-based national real estate investor and operator, announced the official launch of its new Outbound Hotels brand, a collection of locally-minded hotels offering differentiated lodging options for lifestyle travelers seeking outdoor-inspired experiences in boutique settings. From Yosemite National Park and Jackson Hole, Wyo. to the vistas of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. and the bucolic Green Mountains of Vermont, every Outbound Hotels-branded property gives visitors a curated connection to the outdoors. “Outbound Hotels expands the traditional hospitality model,” said David Schwartz, CEO and Chairman of Waterton. “Our portfolio of hotel properties creates lifestyle-oriented lodging options in destinations that provide year-round opportunities to...

BASINGSTOKE, ENGLAND—New global research commissioned by communication technology company Communications Specialist Ltd reveals that 94 percent of senior executives at high-end, luxury hotels expect the sector to increase its focus on sustainability over the next three years—some 22 percent believe there will be a dramatic increase. As part of this, 46 percent expect there will be a dramatic increase in the sector’s focus on working with local suppliers, and a further 44 percent say there will be a slight increase. Some 84 percent are predicting growth in the luxury hotel sector’s use of renewable energy, and 86 percent an increased...

SAN DIEGO—In alignment with California’s electrification goals that phase out gas-fired water heating appliances in the coming years, Sonesta International Hotels Corp. is working with Willdan Energy Solutions to take advantage of utility incentives available from Southern California Edison (SCE) through Willdan’s Commercial Energy Efficiency Program. SCE has contracted with Willdan Energy Solutions to develop, implement, and offer the energy efficiency program to SCE customers. It provides comprehensive consultations, technical expertise, financing options, and energy-efficient upgrades. Willdan also sets the rebate amount. According to Dave Campbell, Regional Director of Engineering for Sonesta, about a half-dozen Sonesta hotels in Southern California have benefited...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. announced the publication of its annual Corporate Responsibility Report for 2023, which presents the company’s ongoing commitment to creating long-term value for the business and industry by investing responsibly in safeguarding the environment and supporting its employees, communities, and other stakeholders. “We are pleased to publish an updated report detailing our significant progress regarding environmental, social, and governance initiatives. Over the past year, we have developed a climate action plan to achieve our emissions reduction target of 30 percent by year-end 2025. Our climate plan includes active data and energy management programs and systems to...

DALLAS—Virgin Hotels Dallas, the 260-room luxury lifestyle hotel located in the Dallas Design District, announced that it has been honored with the Equity Leadership award presented by D CEO at their annual Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship award ceremony. The Equity Leadership award is given each year to a corporation in the Dallas community that supports efforts that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Since the hotel opened in 2019, Virgin Hotels Dallas has supported local organizations that champion diversity and equity such as Cafe Momentum, Unlock Potential, and My Possibilities. Through these initiatives, the hotel has been able to provide mentorship and employment...