REDWOOD CITY, CALIF.— In conjunction with its participation at StartUpgrind Global Conference in Silicon Valley, Wayaj relaunched its website to reflect a new focus on providing an increasing suite of sustainable travel tools. Wayaj’s mission is to offer information and means aimed at helping travelers make responsible choices in the context of the fight against climate change.  ’s site and apps (iOS and Android) currently feature: advanced travel carbon footprint calculator; carbon footprint offsetting with a choice of projects certified by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); comprehensive and scientific sustainability hotel rating aligned with the United Nations’...

NEW YORK—The Javits Center announced the creation of a new lip balm infused with honey harvested from beehives atop the convention center’s 6.75-acre green roof, one of the largest of its kind in the United States. The lip balm was produced by team members of Cultivated, the venue’s new dining and hospitality team powered by Levy Convention Centers and CxRA. Known as Jacob’s Honey Lip Balm, this lip-servicing item exemplifies the Javits Center’s commitment to a sustainable environment and serves as a pre-cursor to the opening of a one-acre rooftop farm, which is being constructed as part of the...

MCLEAN, VA.—Timed to coincide with the Lunar New Year 2020 (Saturday, January 25), Hilton has released the latest installment of its acclaimed “Room 702” video docuseries, profiling Nick Li, Manager of Safety and Security at the Hilton Chengdu in China’s Sichuan province. In this episode, viewers are introduced to Li, who grew up in a small village in the mountains of western China. After leaving high school to join the military, he came to recognize the value of education and made the decision to return to school. Access to education was an opportunity that his sister, Fulian Li, sacrificed in order...

One of the most read articles on Green Lodging News, with almost 10,000 views, is “How to Better Accommodate Travelers with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).” It is proof of the great interest in the topic. When I wrote that article in 2014, it was estimated that MCS affects about 12 percent of the U.S. population, but more than 30 percent of the population is fragrance sensitive. As much interest as there is in MCS, not enough has been done in our industry to accommodate travelers with MCS. If you google “chemical free hotels,” you will not find much. I spoke...

KENMORE, WASH.—When planning for her four-bedroom Enliven Bed and Breakfast in Kenmore, Wash., owner Teresa Molitor Luttrell decided to create a haven for people with chemical sensitivities. Luttrell suffered from Lyme disease for many years and understands the needs of the chemically sensitive. “I turned my house into a place for people with chemical sensitivities. Over the years I have really finetuned it,” Luttrell says. Millions of Americans suffer from multiple chemical sensitivity. According to the Chemical Sensitivity Foundation, “Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a medical condition characterized by a heightened sensitivity to chemicals. People who have MCS become ill when...

WAILEA, HAWAII—Maui’s winter blues include tropical waters, azure skies and a favorite return visitor—the humpback whales. As “whale season” approaches, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has created a variety of ways for guests to experience these majestic creatures. From a private whale watch led by professional photographers to sightings from any of the legendary resort’s oceanfront vistas, the expert Concierge Team can design a customized itinerary for whale enthusiasts of all kinds. “It’s hard to imagine that Maui can become even more special,” says General Manager Marc Bromley, “but every winter brings these gentle giants to the waters just...

PALMA, SPAIN—Combatting climate change is one of the biggest challenges on the global agenda, a priority for the travel industry, and one of the key drivers of the Meliá Hotels International Sustainability Master Plan, which includes public commitments made within the framework of the Paris 2015 COP21 agreement and including an objective of reducing emissions by 50 percent by 2035. The company has been named the Most Sustainable Hotel Company in the World this year, achieving the highest score in the global travel industry in the latest Corporate Sustainability Assessment by SAM thanks to its performance and commitment to social...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Reservations.com announced that it is Great Place to Work-Certified. Using validated employee feedback gathered with Great Place to Work’s rigorous, data-driven “For All” methodology, certification confirms seven out of 10 employees have a consistently positive experience at Reservations.com. Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience and leadership behaviors that are proven to deliver market-leading results and increased innovation. “We are thrilled for our 2019 Great Place to Work recertification,” said Mahesh Chaddah, Co-Founder at Reservations.com. “We strive to make employee experience a priority every day. While there is always progress to be made, it...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Travelodge by Wyndham—part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with more than 9,200 hotels in over 80 countries—is building upon its 2019 growth momentum with the introduction of a new program in 2020 touting initiatives that streamline operations to drive value to owners while helping reduce the brand’s environmental impact. The adventure-focused brand, which has more than doubled its openings year-over-year as of the third quarter, has a history of eco-friendly efforts based on its strong concentration near many U.S. national parks. The new initiative, Travelodge + GO Green, aims to reduce overall waste...

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.—HotelPlanner and Meetings.com, the leading online sites for booking group travel and meetings worldwide, announced that they are partnering with Greenview to advance their corporate responsibility and sustainability efforts. The partnership directly supports a program to protect and restore rainforests in Indonesia, allowing travelers and meeting planners to choose a green meeting option through the platforms at no additional cost. These curated venues have eliminated bottled water and other single-use plastic, offer local and vegetarian menu options and have energy-efficient lighting and power settings, among other benefits. The program will launch in 2020. With offices in New...