BRUSSELS—Radisson Blu, the hotel brand driven by innovation and design, is launching Blu Planet for Meetings, making meetings carbon-free at Radisson Blu hotels worldwide by the end of the year. The selected First Climate carbon offsetting projects contribute to fighting global warming and support the UN Sustainable Development goals. “Since the COP21 climate accord, an increasing number of corporations are concerned about fighting climate change and about reducing their carbon footprints, also when they plan meetings,” says Inge Huijbrechts, Vice President of Responsible Business for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. “We know that face-to-face meetings are crucial to business success. Research...

One Green Deed Spawns Another Book Covers Author’s 20-Year Quest for Sustainability and the Inspiring People Behind It One Green Deed Spawns Another is a new book written by green manufacturing consultant, David Mahood. It entails his quest for sustainability and conversations with the sources of his inspiration. If you had one green deed you’d like to see heeded, adopted, and passed on, what would it be and why? The book is a compilation of the answers to that question in the context of a 20-year journey. From green architecture pioneers to green product pioneers, from natural fiber farmers to worm...

MINNEAPOLIS—In an exclusive new partnership, the first of its kind in North America, Minneapolis’ premiere luxury hotel, Hotel Ivy, is partnering with TREVLS, a Tesla car rental company headquartered in downtown Minneapolis. Beginning this month, Hotel Ivy, 201 S. Eleventh Street in Minneapolis, will offer all guests the opportunity to reserve a Model S or X during their stay. TREVLS’ full-service experience will pick up and deliver the choice of Tesla vehicle directly to Hotel Ivy for the ultimate travel convenience. This partnership will also amplify the already popular “Dom Pérignon” experience that the hotel’s Penthouse Suite is known for. “Our...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—“Travel and tourism is a critical driver of the U.S. economy, generating $2.3 trillion in economic output and responsible for one in nine American jobs. That’s why we are concerned that the Administration’s budget proposal eliminates federal funding for Brand USA, a public-private partnership that has been a catalyst responsible for driving more than 4.4 million incremental international visitors to the U.S. and supports thousands of American jobs,” said Katherine Lugar, AHLA President and CEO. “In the last several years, Brand USA has been a powerful force in providing America with a competitive edge and has served as a highly...

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...

KELOWNA, B.C.—When the founder of British Columbia’s first all-electric taxi fleet was preparing the launch of his Tesla service, he knew exactly where he wanted to host the launch: outside the internationally recognized environmental award-winning green Kelowna hotel with Tesla Supercharger stations. “From Day 1, we really wanted to hold it here,” says Dale Conway, owner of Current Taxi, which transports passengers in its eco-friendly fleet of Tesla cars. “This Best Western has long been known for its sustainability and that’s what drew us to this hotel—for both the launch and our corporate office.” Current Taxi’s February launch event was attended...

SPRINGFIELD, MO.—John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) announced that as a part of the company’s commitment to innovation and an enhanced guest experience, it is collaborating with PURE Solutions to help create some of the freshest sleeping environments in the hospitality industry. Initially, JQH is launching PURE guestrooms in six of the award-winning company’s hotels spanning five states, including Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Tennessee and Texas. With the PURE allergy-friendly hotel rooms, in-room filtration systems remove air particles, while surfaces are treated to minimize growth of bacteria. These hypoallergenic hotel accommodations are nearly 99.9 percent allergen-free. A PURE room...

AMSTERDAM—To celebrate Earth Day on April 22, Booking.com released findings from its global Sustainable Travel Report. In a year that the United Nations has designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, this new research points to some promising signs when it comes to the eco-considerations weighed by both travelers and accommodations. The number of travelers staying in an eco-friendly or “green” accommodation at least once could double this year with 65 percent of global travelers expressing this intention versus 34 percent who stayed in one or more last year. In addition, 68 percent confirm they are more...

HOUSTON—According to new research, most travelers are committed to sustainable living at home, but believe the travel industry could make it easier for them to travel sustainably by providing education about, and access to, sustainable travel products and services. AIG Travel, a leader in travel insurance and assistance services, released findings from its 2017 Pulse Poll on sustainable travel, which garnered over 1,300 responses from travelers and followers of the brand. “We found that most respondents were committed to sustainability overall and that they believe people should travel sustainably to preserve destinations for future generations,” said Jeff Rutledge, CEO of...

In covering green lodging I have often heard about companies that incentivize their business travelers to stay in hotels with sustainable practices. Turns out the practice may be less common than I thought. According to a new study released by the GBTA Foundation, the research and education arm of the Global Business Travel Assn., in partnership with AIG Travel, only one in six travel management professionals (16 percent) currently incentivize their business travelers to stay in hotels with sustainable practices. Even fewer (4 percent) require travelers to book suppliers with sustainable practices. The GBTA Foundation conducted an online survey...