MONTEREY, CALIF.—Portola Hotel & Spa announced that it has earned LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, one of the most widely recognized designations in sustainable building and operations worldwide. The certification affirms what Portola has long believed: that genuine hospitality and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, evaluates buildings across a rigorous set of criteria including energy efficiency, water conservation, materials selection, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable site development. Earning Gold certification places Portola Hotel & Spa among a distinguished class of properties that have demonstrated measurable, verifiable commitment to...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands has been recognized on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World and North America 2026 indices, maintaining its position on both lists since 2020. Sands China Ltd., the company’s Asian subsidiary, was named to the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World and Asia Pacific 2026 indices, continuing its inclusion on both lists since 2022. Out of 16 companies invited to participate in the Casino and Gaming category, Sands and Sands China are the only two companies included on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World index this year. Sands is the only company in the Casino and Gaming category listed on the North America index, and...

BANGKOK, THAILAND—Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has been recognized among the country’s leading brands for sustainability perceptions in the latest Brand Finance Sustainability Perceptions Index 2026. The recognition reinforces Centara’s growing reputation as a hospitality leader that integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into both its operations and guest experience. The report highlights organizations that are perceived to manage sustainability effectively, reflecting not only corporate commitments but also how these efforts are understood and valued by consumers. For Centara, this recognition signals a meaningful alignment between long-term ESG strategy and evolving guest expectations. This year, Centara nets strong...

Green Lodging News just added Necker Island to its Renewable Energy All Stars list in the Wind Powered and Solar Powered categories. Necker Island is part of the Virgin Limited Edition collection. Sir Richard Branson’s private island paradise, at 74 acres, is situated in the North Sound of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), in the eastern Caribbean Sea, to the east of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Whether conserving some of the world’s endangered species, running the island on renewable energy, or making the most of the natural resources found in the British Virgin Islands, there are countless initiatives...

CANCUN, MEXICO—With a firm focus on the conservation of biodiversity in the Mexican Caribbean, the Sunset Royal hotel, part of the Sunset World Group, is preparing for the 2026 sea turtle nesting season through comprehensive training provided by the General Management of Ecology of the Municipality of Benito Juárez, in Cancun. As part of the National Sea Turtle Conservation Program, the Security team actively participates in theoretical and practical training sessions, with the goal of ensuring the proper protection of these species during one of the most important moments of their life cycle. During the training, the team acquires key knowledge...

MONTEVERDE, COSTA RICA—Hotel Belmar announces the debut of Artista, a natural evolution of its long-standing commitment to regenerative hospitality. Set within Monteverde’s iconic cloud forest in a fully car-free enclave adjacent to the main Belmar property, ten private retreats take shape, honoring the land through thoughtful design and long-term stewardship. The villas were expected to welcome guests beginning June 1. “Artista represents a natural progression in our journey. It reflects how our understanding of this land has deepened over time. We approached each villa as an artist approaches a work—carefully composing space, material, and light in dialogue with the forest....

PARIS—Two years into its ocean commitment and international partnership with WWF France, Novotel is driving tangible progress across its global network of more than 600 hotels, advancing operational change, marine conservation, sustainable food practices, and ocean awareness around the world. Ahead of World Ocean Day (June 8), Novotel has released its second Ocean Impact Report, transparently sharing the progress, challenges, and measurable impact achieved over the past year as the brand continues to advance long-term action for ocean preservation and support marine conservation projects around the world. Launched in 2024, Novotel’s partnership with WWF France was created to support the longevity of the...

LONDON—In recognition of World Environment Day—June 5, 2026—and this year’s theme of Climate Action, Virgin Limited Edition is shining a spotlight on the environmental initiatives taking place across its collection of properties worldwide. From renewable energy projects in the British Virgin Islands and Kenya to water conservation programs in Morocco and regenerative farming in Mallorca and South Africa, the collection continues to evolve its long-term commitment to responsible tourism and environmental stewardship. As the climate crisis accelerates, World Environment Day 2026 focuses on the urgent signals being sent by the planet and the collective responsibility to respond through meaningful action. Across the...

NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS—The Bahamas has been chosen to host the Global Sustainable Tourism Council 2027 Conference, a historic selection that establishes the destination as a regional pioneer in sustainable tourism, environmental stewardship, and long-term economic resilience. Set to take place from May 18 to 21, 2027 at the British Colonial Nassau and Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau, the GSTC conference is where The Bahamas will share the practical initiatives in ecosystem restoration, nature-based tourism and destination resilience that have earned it a reputation as an emerging leader in sustainable tourism. With its selection making it the first Caribbean destination to host the...

HONOLULU—As ocean temperatures reach record highs and coral bleaching events accelerate globally, OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels is mobilizing its full network of resort communities for World Ocean Month—activating guests, hosts, students and conservation scientists across five countries in what represents the company’s most coordinated environmental effort to date. Coinciding with this activation, OUTRIGGER is releasing its inaugural Sustainability Report, incorporating “The OUTRIGGER Way”—the company’s integrated approach to environmental stewardship, community wellbeing and long-term responsible growth across Hawaii, Fiji, Thailand, Mauritius and the Maldives. “The ocean doesn’t recognize borders and neither does our commitment to protecting it,” said Sean Dee, Executive Vice President &...