NEW YORK—Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel platforms, has released findings from its annual sustainable travel report for the fourth consecutive year. Research reveals almost two-thirds (66 percent) of U.S travelers believe that people need to act now and make sustainable travel choices to save the planet for future generations. However, common barriers travelers face when making sustainable travel choices are (percent of U.S respondents who agree): I do not know how to make my travel more sustainable (40 percent); Although I do see options to travel more sustainably, other options tend to appeal more (41 percent); I...

ATLANTA—Pure Wellness, a pioneer and leader in hotel guestroom wellness solutions, announces two luxury property additions to their portfolio of certified Pure Rooms. The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta and The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota now offer certified Pure Rooms to their guests. “Ritz-Carlton, where ‘Ladies and Gentleman serve Ladies and Gentlemen,’ has long represented the gold standard in service and luxury,” notes Larry Hall, CEO of Pure Wellness. “With the addition of certified Pure Rooms to The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota and The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, discriminating travelers can now enjoy the benefits of a certified Pure Room in the warm, relaxed, and refined ambiance of a...

emersa  WaterBox Water That Reflects Who You Are--In an Earth-Conscious Carton Utilize one of our branded cartons or let us design your custom carton of U.S. spring water to help promote your company’s commitment to the well-being of our environment. Our proprietary carton structure is earth-conscious, 100% recyclable, and contains no BPAs or volatile organic compounds. They are printed using natural inks that are kind to the environment, and healthy for the earth and the spring water is healthy for your body. WaterBox is an appealing and affordable alternative to water in plastic bottles. When you choose WaterBox, you help slow...

CHICAGO—Orbitz is helping travelers stay at waste-conscious hotels by listing hotels and locations on its website that are doing their part to reduce or eliminate waste—specifically single-use plastic. The website includes a clickable U.S. map that explains specifically what type of plastic has been banned by the entire state or part of the state. In Illinois, for example, part of the state has banned plastic bags. In South Carolina, part of the state has banned plastic straws. To get your property listed, write to press@orbitz.com.

CRYSTAL CITY, VA.—Embassy Suites by Hilton Crystal City National Airport announced the completion of its guestroom renovation as part of a $10.7 million dollar investment. As part of the transformation, the all two-room suite hotel launched 12 new Pure Wellness suites. The Pure Wellness suites are nearly 99.9 percent allergen-free due to an in-room filtration system that removes air particles. Specially treated surfaces and hypoallergenic bedding, including mattresses and pillow covers, reduce allergens and resist molds, spores and dust mites. As part of the renovation, Embassy Suites by Hilton Crystal City National Airport increased the number of two double bed suites from 50 to 90. These rooms comfortably...

SINGAPORE—Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts is celebrating its 25th Anniversary and Earth Day 2019 with an over 25 percent groupwide reduction of single-use plastic in a year. The Group announced a pledge against single-use plastic in support of the Earth Day 2018 theme End Plastic Pollution. Within a year, this declaration has inspired the change across its 48 hotels worldwide and successfully eliminated 4.2 million single-use plastic items, equating to a significant 26 percent reduction in total usage.Championing 25 years of sustainable development since its inception in 1994, Banyan Tree Hotels &...

BEND, ORE.—Leave-No-Trace practices. Sustainable tourism. A focus on community. For two years, Visit Bend has been weaving these values into everything from television campaigns to social media posts, and on Friday, April 5, the Board of Directors voted to make them an official part of the organization’s mission. “Seven years ago, Visit Bend’s strategies centered around bringing as many visitors as possible to Bend to help pull the city out of the recession,” explained Visit Bend CEO Kevney Dugan. “We heard from the community that we did that job well, but it’s time...

AMELIA ISLAND, FLA.—Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort announced the dates for its sixth annual “Fish to Fork” culinary weekend, May 9 to 12, 2019. This year’s event celebrates Mother's Day weekend with an all-female chef lineup. The resort will welcome visitors for a one of a kind “dock-to-dish” experience where they can unleash their inner foodie. In its sixth year, Fish to Fork welcomes a new lineup of all-star female chefs. Each chef will bring their unique styles to the event’s festivities, and three-time Fish to Fork competitor Kathleen Blake, owner and chef of The Rusty Spoon in Orlando, Fla., is making...

NATIONAL REPORT—The 49th Earth Day, to be held on Monday, April 22, is prime time for green hotels around the planet to shine a light on their sustainability programs. The following hotels and one green organization have announced plans for activities and special promotions. If your property has activities planned for Earth Day, Earth Week or Earth Month, contact editor@greenlodgingnews.com. In honor of Earth Day, the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Spa in Monterey (Calif.) is offering the following promotions: The hotel will give out a “Plant Your Pencil” to the first 100 guests who check in on April 22. The pencils come in five...

NATIONAL REPORT—With all the attention given to plastic straws, stirrer sticks and cutlery over the past year, not enough attention has been given to plastic water bottle alternatives. Green Lodging News has reported on water filtration systems and glass bottle delivery of that water within the hotel. That approach is a great idea but can make only a tiny dent in the overall plastic bottle waste problem. According to Rob Koenen, Chief Marketing Officer for Boxed Water Is Better®, 69 billion bottles are created each year and 38 billion of them go into oceans and landfills. Up to 90...