ROCKVILLE, MD—Traveler preferences have evolved, with more than half of today’s leisure travelers prioritizing easy access to walking trails and wellness activities as a top amenity they consider when selecting lodging accommodations. In recognition of this—and its longstanding commitment to help guests maintain holistic wellbeing on the road—the Sleep Inn brand, known for its serene, nature-inspired design and proximity to top outdoor destinations, has teamed with AllTrails to make it easier than ever for adventure-seeking travelers to connect with nature. As part of the new collaboration with the world’s largest and most trusted outdoor app, Sleep Inn guests at participating Sleep Inn hotels will...

NATIONAL REPORT—The hospitality industry accounts for much of the world’s food, water, and plastic waste. Hotels need a vast amount of energy and resources to run; on the flip side, the resources are also spent at a high rate. Hotels generate waste in all shapes and sizes as every hotel offers different services and facilities to their guests. Hotel kitchens generate food waste, and there are also large volumes of bathroom-related waste and various other kinds of trash that hotels deal with. The good news is that hotel waste can be recycled. All you need is a proper understanding of...

DOMINICA—One of the planet’s most outstanding examples of a modern, off-the-grid eco-luxury resort is Coulibri Ridge. It is in Dominica amid 285 acres. The 14-suite property is powered by sun and wind and is the result of more than 20 years of research, environmental testing, infrastructure building, and community engagement to ensure the highest degree of sustainability, respectful development, and community collaboration. Coulibri Ridge is the brainchild of Quebec-born entrepreneur Daniel Langlois. Langlois traveled the globe throughout his career in software technology, and the contrast between wealthy and poor communities in many places left him pondering why sustainable practices like...

LONDON—New data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center reveals the climate footprint of the Travel & Tourism sector in Italy. In one of the largest research projects of its kind, the global tourism body can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact the sector has on the environment. According to the data, Italy’s Travel & Tourism has continued to grow, while reducing its emissions intensity. In 2019, the sector accounted for 8.4 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions across Italy, below the European average of 10.7 percent. But this...

BANGKOK, THAILAND—IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announces a landmark partnership with Steps—an organization that empowers employers to realize the potential of neurodivergent people. Starting this year, the collaboration will prepare five IHG hotels in Bangkok to be “disability inclusion ready”. The hotels taking part will follow a wide-ranging program that includes workplace accessibility plans and consultations, disability training, empowerment of inclusivity champions, recruitment, and onboarding of disability employees, and the setting up of an inclusive employment model that embodies a culture of inclusion. Using the findings from the first five hotels, the project will be...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—As companies strive to reduce their carbon footprint, they are implementing various strategies to decarbonize their employee travel. But which practices are effective in driving change and ultimately empowering organizations to continue leveraging business travel while reducing their climate impact? A new benchmarking study, “Managing Emissions From Business Travel Programs: Overview of Corporate Best Practices,” sheds light on the approaches that leading companies are using to decarbonize their travel programs. This first-of-its-kind report from the GBTA Foundation provides a valuable snapshot from purpose-driven companies who are addressing and mitigating their business travel emissions. The study examines which measures are most effective...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International has won the Best in Building Health Award from Fitwel for its new global headquarters in Bethesda, Md. The award recognizes Marriott International’s outstanding achievement in healthy building design, which has become increasingly important in the hospitality sector of commercial real estate. The new headquarters showcases cutting-edge technology and design, providing an intuitive and healthy workplace for its employees. The new HQ campus features innovative design elements that prioritize health, such as natural light, green spaces, and active workstations. Marriott International worked closely with Fitwel, a people-centric healthy building certification system, to achieve the highest score for healthy...

PHOENIX—Recognizing the importance for the hospitality industry to take the lead on addressing its most significant global challenges and on establishing sustainability programs that meet evolving guest expectations, BWH Hotel Group is doubling down on its commitment to environmental and social responsibility across its expansive global portfolio. Alongside its engagement with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, BWH Hotel Group has created a new global sustainability strategic initiative, called “Because We Care,” which will focus on three important pillars: Earth, People and Community (EPC). BWH Hotel Group is celebrating the significant efforts its hotels across nearly 100 countries have already undertaken...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—A merger is being considered by the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and GREEN Hospitality (Pangaia Solutions Limited), to combine GREEN Hospitality’s reach and experience in Asia- Pacific, with the Alliance’s expertise and global network. Positive meetings have taken place between the Directors of both organizations and next steps will see the appropriate due diligence reviews. A merger would enable the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance to establish a formal presence in Asia-Pacific with GREEN Hospitality having its headquarters in Hong Kong. Both organizations are committed to supporting and enabling sustainability in the hospitality industry. With an influential network of member hotels and partners,...

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—Building on its long heritage as a leading sustainable hotel group, Radisson Hotel Group had a successful 2022 in which the Group committed to Net Zero by 2050, published approved near term Science Based Targets and pioneered key milestones and innovative Responsible Business initiatives aligned with its three pillars of People, Community, and Planet, as outlined in its 21st Responsible Business Report. Last year was a strategically important year for Radisson Hotel Group’s sustainability program. With approved science-based carbon emission reduction targets for 2030 by SBTi, Radisson Hotel Group is placed amongst the leading companies aligning their targets with...