MAMMOTH LAKES, CALIF.—Limelight Mammoth, the newest property from Aspen One and the brand’s first hotel in California, is now open, welcoming travelers, adventurers, and the Mammoth Lakes community to a contemporary, sustainability-forward basecamp at the heart of the Eastern Sierra. Situated steps from The Village and the Village Gondola, with stunning views of the Sherwin mountain range, Limelight Mammoth debuts as a fresh, modern destination for discovery, connection, and year-round mountain adventure. Limelight Mammoth blends comfort with purposeful design across 149 guestrooms, including 25 suites, and 15 private residences, offering smart storage solutions, modern kitchenettes, sweeping mountain views, and a...

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLA.—Sustainable Hospitality Solutions, a nationally recognized leader in hospitality sustainability and wellness strategy, today announced its rebrand to Whole Systems Hospitality, reflecting a bold evolution in how hotels, resorts, and destinations can strengthen guest experience, operational culture, and long-term value. A Call to the Early Believers Whole Systems Hospitality, led by Kathy Sue McGuire, Founder & CEO, is intentionally designed for hotels, management firms, owners, and destinations ready to lead—not because they must, but because they recognize the opportunity. “We’re entering an era where guests want to ‘feel’ wellness, sustainability, and community impact—not just read about it in a...

RICHMOND, VA.—Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. published its annual Corporate Responsibility Report, which details the company’s commitment to enhancing long-term shareholder value through responsible investment, environmental stewardship, strong governance and ethics, and the ongoing support of its corporate employees, hotel associates, hotel guests, communities, and other stakeholders. Justin Knight, CEO of Apple Hospitality, commented, “Throughout our 25-year history in the lodging industry, owning high-quality hotels, empowering our employees, supporting hotel associates, caring for our guests, and leading with the highest standards of governance and ethics have been integral to our financial success and our ability to drive long-term value for our...

DES MOINES, IOWA—Krause Group announced the release of its 2024 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, highlighting progress across its global footprint in Iowa and Italy and reaffirming the company’s commitment to operating with integrity, respect, and a deep sense of responsibility to the communities it serves. The report outlines advancements across key focus areas, including climate action, reducing inequalities, and advancing gender equality. “At Krause Group, we believe that creating lasting value and driving positive societal impact go hand in hand,” said Kyle J. Krause, Founder & CEO of Krause Group. “Our CSR report is a reflection of the values that guide us...

GASTONIA, N.C.—Intrinsic Advanced Materials, makers of CiCLO technology will debut a new generation of responsible-performance luxury home textiles at Heimtextil 2026, January 13 to 16 in Frankfurt. The product development demonstrates how combining TENCEL fibers derived from certified or controlled-wood sources with CiCLO’s biodegradable polyester innovation can elevate comfort and durability while supporting reduced environmental impact across hospitality and home categories. CiCLO technology is a patented textile ingredient that enables polyester and nylon to biodegrade naturally, significantly reducing the time synthetic fibers remain in the environment. The technology is embedded in the fiber, thereby creating pathways that attract naturally occurring microorganisms, enabling...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—As part of the EU taxonomy and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), large hotels—that is, companies with more than 250 employees, a balance sheet total exceeding 25 million euros, or revenues over 50 million euros—have been obliged to report on ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) performance in Germany and Austria since 2025. This raises the question of how hotels can use this mandatory reporting strategically—by obtaining a sustainability certificate that makes ESG compliance transparent for potential guests and enhances marketing opportunities. Against this background, students in the “Hospitality” project at Heilbronn University explored the field of sustainability certifications in...

MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA—Medellín sought to attract visitors “who value sustainability” and “respect for community” at the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) Annual Conference, which ran December 1 to 5. According to the Medellín Secretariat of Tourism and Entertainment, the Colombian city participated in the event at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center (Maryland) to present its tourism offerings to attract visitors who value sustainability, community respect, and quality experiences. The USTOA Annual Conference and Marketplace is one of the most relevant events in the U.S. tourism industry. The association was founded in 1972 and “is recognized for its commitment” to...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The resurgence of international travel following the Covid-19 pandemic has brought overtourism back into the spotlight. With visitor numbers returning to pre-pandemic levels, the strain on local resources and infrastructure in popular destinations is once again a pressing issue. The tourism industry must address these challenges, as forecasts indicate continued growth in global travel demand. Community Backlash & Policy Responses Cities like Amsterdam, Venice, and Barcelona have witnessed protests against the negative impacts of tourism, such as inflated prices and housing shortages. These issues, although not solely caused by tourism, have led residents to demand action. Policymakers are now exploring...

BERLIN—The ITB Berlin Convention 2026 is set to take place from March 3 to 5, marking its 60th anniversary and focusing on sustainable tourism under the theme “Leading Tourism into Balance.” The event will feature approximately 400 international speakers discussing key issues affecting the global tourism industry across 17 thematic tracks on four stages. The convention will address topics such as overtourism, data management, artificial intelligence, and climate adaptation. It aims to explore innovative concepts that involve various stakeholders and reconcile differing viewpoints within the tourism sector. Discussions will include how destinations are managing overtourism and the opportunities that data management and...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Food Recovery Network (FRN) announces an exciting milestone as it approaches the recovery of 100,000 pounds of surplus food in partnership with Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. In just over two years, the collaboration has grown to support 10 hunger-fighting partners in the greater D.C. area, providing nearly 85,000 meals. “Our partnership with Gaylord National has proven to be transformative for our community. Each pound of food recovered not only alleviates hunger but also demonstrates the power of collective action,” said Regina Harmon, Executive Director of FRN. “As we near the 100,000-pound mark, we invite everyone to engage...