GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA—Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, the only Forbes Five-Star luxury resort in Central and South America, has named Michael Mestraud as the General Manager. A Four Seasons veteran, Mestraud brings to his role vast, international luxury hospitality experience. He will oversee all operations for the acclaimed property, which is presently underway with a $35 million re-imagination that will bring a striking new interpretation of modern eco-luxury to Costa Rica’s north Pacific coast in December 2017. “I am thrilled to join the team at this unique resort that celebrates the rare beauty and alluring mystique of...

PUNTA MITA, MEXICO—Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, a five-star luxury resort tucked into the lush landscape of the Riviera Nayarit, announced a culinary partnership with celebrated vegan chef and healthy living educator Leslie Durso to create new plant-based offerings at the resort’s three dining destinations—Aramara, Bahia by Richard Sandoval and Ketsi. Inspired by a commitment to fresh, local ingredients and a desire to cater to an array of healthy lifestyles, the resort is elevating its vegan dining with the addition of 25 new innovative, plant-based dishes designed by Durso, including appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts. “Through our partnership with the talented Leslie Durso we...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—After two decades at the helm of Green Seal, the nation’s foremost environmental certification body, Dr. Arthur B. Weissman has announced that he will be leaving the organization on September 30, 2017. To ensure a smooth transition, Green Seal’s Vice President of Certification, Mary Swanson, will serve as Interim President effective October 1 until the next President assumes his or her responsibilities. Lochlin Partners, a McLean, Va.-based firm, has been retained to lead the nationwide search. “It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to have worked at Green Seal for the past 24 years helping to create...

BETHLEHEM, PA.—Maintaining and building upon a sustainability program is no easy task when you have 8 million people visiting your property each year. With the help of some 2,500 eager and talented associates, however, Steven Fernstrom is helping to make the 282-room Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem a shining example of continuous improvement and sustainability in action. The Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem has quite a history. It was built on the site of the historic Bethlehem Steel plant, which is the largest brownfield site in the United States and located approximately 60 minutes from Philadelphia and the northern New Jersey suburbs...

MADRID, SPAIN—Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, President of the Republic of Malta, has been nominated as Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. The appointment took place at a ceremony held at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Headquarters in Madrid. The President of Malta underlined in her intervention the relevance of sustainable tourism as a means to build peace, social cohesion, and prosperity for all of humanity. Cultural diplomacy, peace building and understanding were some of the components of sustainable tourism highlighted by the President of Malta. “Tourism shows us that positive experiences in new destinations can transform...

Name: Amanda DeSantis Title: Vice President of Sustainability Company: 1 Hotels Years with company: Three months Primary responsibilities: “It’s to lead the development and evolution of sustainability at 1 Hotels. To ensure nature inspires the brand. To build out a platform that can be scaled globally. I spend a lot of my time with the property teams learning the system.” Company’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “It is really our design that connects people with nature. We want people to pause and reflect. It really smacks you in the face when you walk in the front door.” Company’s most significant sustainability-related challenge moving forward: “There is...

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYO.—Michael Keller has been hired as General Manager of Yellowstone National Park Lodges, operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts. Keller is no stranger to Yellowstone, having earned a 28-year career there and at Crater Lake National Park with Xanterra prior to taking on the general manager responsibilities for the Grand Canyon and Tusayan operations under the auspices of Delaware North. “It’s great to be back in Yellowstone! This is sacred ground where I started my national park career and my family. So personally, this is a very special place,” said Keller, General Manager for Yellowstone National Park Lodges....

NASHVILLE, TENN.—Following a highly successful first year since opening as the city’s newest luxury hotel, The Westin Nashville recently announced the appointments of Ross Bruce as Director of Revenue and James Mannix as Director of Engineering. With a combined 40 years of hospitality expertise, Ross and James bring their extensive hotel background and strong knowledge of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts brands to spearhead the revenue and engineering efforts of the 453-room property. “The Westin Nashville has set the bar for the city’s hospitality scene,” says Paul Wischermann, President and CEO of Wischermann Partners, Inc. “Ross’ experience working with world-class...

Name: Brian Bruno Title: Vice President of Content and Brand Marketing for RCI and head of the Wyndham Destination Network sustainability program Company: RCI Years with company: 11 Primary responsibilities: Bruno, in his 12th year with RCI, is responsible for producing RCI’s member and affiliate magazines and other travel content. He is also responsible for sharing brand standards around the globe. In addition to these responsibilities, he is the RCI representative for sustainability practices and green initiatives globally for Wyndham Destination Network. Company’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: RCI’s Indianapolis location, in 2014, earned the Energy Star designation. Company’s most significant sustainability-related challenge moving forward: Wyndham...

Name: Nathaly Stanley Title: Sustainability and Certifications Manager Property: Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort in Aruba Years with resort: Less than one Primary responsibilities: “To ensure all departments continue to operate in a sustainable manner. Every day is different.” Company’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “Getting recertified every year for four different certifications. The owner has such a deep interest in it.” Company’s most significant sustainability-related challenge moving forward: “Identifying new solutions for sustainability and having the ability to weigh the different solutions against one another.” EAGLE BEACH, ARUBA—As Sustainability and Certifications Manager at Aruba’s Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Nathaly Stanley is carrying on a commitment...