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Accor & Jin Jiang Hotels Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Jointly Drive Sustainable Practices Across the Hospitality Industry
BEIJING—The Fifth Meeting of the Council of China-France Entrepreneurs was held recently in Beijing. It was attended by the heads of state of China and France, representatives from both Chinese and French governments and entrepreneurs. The Meeting focused on discussions around various topics, including trade, investment, technology, and tourism.
During the Meeting, Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels and Accor signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a term ending in 2033. This MOU represents a strategic partnership between the two parties, with the primary ambition being to promote and drive sustainable transformations across the hospitality industry and reduce the sector’s...
International Dark Sky Association Invites Participation in Dark Sky Week 2023
TUCSON, ARIZ.—The International Dark-Sky Association (DarkSky) invites people worldwide to reconnect with the benefits of a dark, star-filled sky and learn how to reduce the negative impacts of light pollution to humans, wildlife, and ecosystems during International Dark Sky Week (IDSW) 2023, this week, April 15 to 22.
From Tucson, Ariz., to Turkey, information on events can be found at idsw.darksky.org. Hosted by DarkSky advocates, delegates, chapters, and DarkSky places, events include night walks, astrophotography lessons, star parties, proclamations, and special presentations about the benefits of dark skies to humans, wildlife, and ecosystems.
“International Dark Sky Week provides a wonderful opportunity for...
Institute of Travel Management Launches Sustainability Taskforce
AMERSHAM, ENGLAND—The Institute of Travel Management (ITM) has launched a campaign to help buyers tackle the challenges of delivering on their organization’s sustainability targets and to provide them with practical guidance for shaping a responsible travel program.
The initiative is driven by recognition of ITM’s pivotal role in ensuring business travel continues to be understood as a force for good. It evolves sustainably to minimize negative impacts on the environment. It has also been spurred by the rapid acceleration in organizations setting commitments to net zero emissions, as well as new legislation and audit requirements that will be imposed on...
Six Senses Napa Valley Resort to Open in 2026
NAPA VALLEY, CALIF.—Six Senses is taking its wellness and sustainability formula to a sanctuary in Napa County, an agricultural haven producing some of the world’s most sought-after wine. Named after the natural thermal Aetna Springs discovered in the 1870s, the original resort thrived until the 1970s as a natural spa destination, with Aetna Mineral Water also sold throughout the American West.
“Six Senses Napa Valley will marry the region’s beauty with the unique natural resources of the original Aetna Springs,” said Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs. “Working with Weller Development Partners, Pegasus Capital Advisors, and committed sustainability partners, we have...
Cala Luna Highlights Its Unique Culinary, Wellness Programs
TAMARINDO, COSTA RICA—Upon setting foot at Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas, guests enter a transcendent, sustainable experience where every element of the property is meant to instill wellness, from the hotel’s free daily fitness classes and complimentary bicycle rental to farm-to-table cuisine and holistic spa treatments at Lahari Wellness Center.
Sparked by the pandemic, the property underwent several renovations to its facilities and experience offers. The remodeled rooms, villas, and restaurants have been elevated. The experience programming focuses on creating lasting feelings for guests and transformational experiences unique to Cala Luna’s location, including educational visits to its nearby farm, La...
Booking.com Delves into Dilemma Dividing Sustainable Travel
NEW YORK—Booking.com has released new research, with insights gathered from more than 33,000 travelers across 35 countries and territories, that highlights a dilemma where people feel potentially forced to choose between cutting costs and being more mindful about making more sustainable travel choices. At a time of general global uncertainty, traveling more sustainably continues to be front of mind for U.S. travelers, with two thirds (67 percent) believing people need to act now and make more sustainable choices to save the planet for future generations. The news continues to be a key influence driver for 44 percent, who say...
Scandic Frankfurt Hafenpark Opens in Premier Location, is Pursuing Nordic Swan Ecolabel
FRANKFURT, GERMANY—Scandic has opened its newest hotel in one of Frankfurt’s top locations just steps from the Main River and minutes from the European Central Bank. Scandic Frankfurt Hafenpark, which has 505 hotel rooms and event space for up to 570 people, has been designed to offer “meetings in the park” as a continuation of the Hafenpark park outside its doors.
The hotel is part of the new Hafenpark Quartier Frankfurt development designed by Hamburg-based architect Hadi Teherani. Balancing individuality, a wealth of green space and Nordic style, it takes a whole new approach to the future of travel and...
An Example of How One Company is Making Cooking Oil Management More Efficient & Better for the Planet
MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MINN.—Almost 270 million pounds of cooking oil is difficult to comprehend but that is the amount taken out of the waste stream in 2021 by Restaurant Technologies, Inc. (RT). RT is one example of a company that has automated the cooking oil-management business while also closing the loop on it.
Restaurants and other food and beverage operations manage their cooking oil in different ways. In one typical scenario, according to Diana Geseking, General Counsel and Secretary for RT, a restaurant will purchase jugs of oil from an oil producer. These jugs, also known as JIBs (jug-in-box) are sometimes...
Registration for Greenbuild International Conference + Expo in Washington, D.C. Now Open
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that registration for the 2023 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo is now open. This year, Greenbuild will take place in USGBC’s hometown of Washington, D.C., from September 26 to 29 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. With new education, events, partners, and experiences, the Greenbuild conference will mark a significant milestone in the green building movement, as the site of USGBC’s 30-year anniversary celebrations.
“We have a lot to commemorate at Greenbuild—not only is it USGBC’s 30th anniversary, we also plan to debut the next version of the LEED green building...
Legacy Vacation Resorts Hits New Milestone in Mission to Use Travel as Force for Good
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.—Since 2018, Orlando-based Legacy Vacation Resorts has been relentless in their pursuit of purpose. Committed to using travel as a force for good, LVR has taken impressive measures to become not only one of the most responsible travel options in the world, but also one of the most regenerative for the environment and their local communities. This is thanks to their status as a Certified B Corporation, a high-standard business certification representing a company’s commitment to creating positive social and environmental impact, from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. Originally...