NATIONAL REPORT—Solar Energy is riddled with many myths, so let’s tackle some of these myths and expose the truth behind them. Here are 11 solar energy myths that if conquered, will make you energy wiser. Myth #1 Giant Solar Corporations Are the Only Solar Authority When we think of solar, quite often, large companies probably come to mind. But while big conglomerates have high-quality products, it’s important to know that other local companies have competitive quality as well. Looking at more than one solar company will allow you the options to compare quality products and best pricing. Knowing what to look...

This past week the National Restaurant Assn. released the results of its What’s Hot Culinary Forecast for 2022, which offers a detailed look at the topics, trends, and products expected to drive restaurant menus in the coming year across a variety of categories including daypart occasions, menu categories, beverages, flavors, global inspirations, packaging/off-premises trends and industry macro-trends. The What’s Hot survey was conducted in October 2021. More than 350 professional chefs of the American Culinary Federation rated 109 food items and culinary concepts compiled by Association experts and Technomic’s Menu Research & Insights Division. Download the full report here. After demand for comfort...

Every year seems to be another year of broken weather records and freak natural disasters. These events cause major and minor problems for individuals and businesses the world over. While nations are discussing what to do in global climate conferences, many of us in the lodging industry are turning our attention to strategies like climate-proofing. Climate-proofing is one way to both mitigate the environmental impact of the hotel and lodging industry, while adapting to the changes that are already underway. Here are four areas of consideration for doing just that. Research Like any decision-making process, climate-proofing always begins from a place of...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The International Code Council, the world’s largest developer of model building codes and standards, announced the publication of a new educational resource on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and building codes titled Electric Vehicles and Building Codes: A Strategy for Greenhouse Gas Reductions. This is the first in a series of resources set to be published with the aim of supporting communities in achieving greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals in a safe and efficient manner. The framework presents solutions already implemented by jurisdictions which have chosen to enact policies aimed at supporting increased EV deployment. The model language presented in...

NEW YORK—Highgate, a leader in global real estate investment with more than 65,000 hotel rooms under management, recently announced an upgrade to 100 percent renewable electricity, beginning with a majority of its select service properties as well as 17 full-service hotels. The initiative will be certified by Green-e Energy, the nation’s leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy. “We’re determined to be part of the solution to address climate change. According to the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, the hotel industry needs to reduce its carbon emissions per room by 90 percent by 2050 to keep the industry within UN...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Global manufacturer Milliken & Co. has announced a new milestone in its ongoing sustainability journey. All Milliken carpet, luxury vinyl tile and entryway tile products around the globe are now carbon neutral, offsetting carbon emissions in raw materials and manufacturing carbon footprint using Verified Carbon Standard credits. This announcement, which anchors Milliken’s Flooring Business’s M/PACT initiative, is yet another part of the global manufacturer’s overarching commitment to sustainability, and specifically addresses carbon reduction to continue to support the fight against climate change. “A healthy future requires a commitment to big goals and developing world-class expertise,” shares Halsey Cook, President and...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Sustainable travel continues to be an opportunity in the industry and for travelers, with many sensitive to the impact travel can have on local environments, economies and the individuals that call these destinations home. In 2019, Expedia Group partnered with UNESCO and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to launch the first chapter of the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge. Since then, The UNESCO Pledge has quickly expanded, with major chains such as Accor and Iberostar signing on, fostering unique connections across the travel industry to create a travel ecosystem which supports sustainable tourism. The UNESCO Pledge now has 4,200...

NEW YORK—In keeping with its ongoing commitment to be an industry leader in the area of sustainable and responsible travel, Ensemble Travel Group has partnered with Trees4Travel. Through this “business for good” partnership, the travel agency consortia will work with the organization that creates “Planet & People Positive Travel” programs to rewild the world through the creation of new forests in support of impoverished communities. As the first U.S. travel agency consortia to partner with Trees4Travel, Ensemble’s member agencies will be able to offer their clients an opportunity to support its mission to help convert islands around the world from expensive and carbon generating fuel,...

AMSTERDAM—Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel platforms, announced the inaugural launch of its Travel Sustainable badge, a credible, globally relevant sustainability measure that will provide highly coveted information to travelers all over the world looking to make more sustainable travel choices. The badge is available to any kind of property that has implemented a combination of sustainable practices that meet the requisite impact threshold for their destination. Designed to be applicable to a wide range of property types, from apartments, B&Bs and holiday homes to hotels, resorts and even treehouses, and adaptable to local realities and considerations,...

BANGKOK—Encompassing three private islands—two deserted neighboring islands and Kanuhura itself—this laid-back retreat is the epitome of white sands, turquoise lagoons, lush tropical greenery and gently swaying palm trees to doze under. This second collaboration with Singapore-based Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) will adopt the Six Senses brand in late 2022 as a northerly sister to the popular Six Senses Laamu. Until then, it is available for bookings through www.kanuhura-maldives.com and www.ihg.com. When it adopts the Six Senses brand, the resort will offer 80 private overwater, beach and spacious family villas offering sunset or sunrise views. A 40-minute seaplane flight from the main international airport...