LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced the release of the 2019 Social Impact and Sustainability Report Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity. Protecting the Planet. The report builds on the company’s commitment to create a more sustainable future, while striving to make a more positive impact in the lives of its employees, guests and in the communities where the company operates. In November 2019, MGM Resorts launched its new social impact and sustainability vision called “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet.” A core component of that vision included a set of long-range goals through 2025 and an alignment...

MALDIVES—It doesn’t get much more rarefied than the Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, a pair of luxury oases on the isolated island country in the Indian Ocean—a seeming refuge from many of the world’s problems. The brand has two locations in the islands—Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huraa; and Four Seasons Resort at Landaa Giraavaru. Despite the properties’ exclusivity, Armando Kraenzlin, Regional Vice President and General Manager, has made conservation central to the very operation of the properties. He has focused on three major initiatives; rebuilding coral reefs, rehabilitating injured sea turtles, and protecting manta rays in the more than two...

SINGAPORE—Vulnerable members in communities across 11 cities in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka will soon have greater access to reusable face masks with the regional Linens For Life Face Masks (L4LFM) partnership between Shangri-La Group and Diversey, a leading global hygiene solutions provider. As part of the L4LFM program, the 12,500kg of used linen donated by 20 Shangri-La hotels will be repurposed into reusable fabric face masks by local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Colombo, Hambantota, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Surabaya, Jakarta, Manila, Singapore, Bangkok and Yangon. In some cities such as Yangon, Manila, Johor Bahru, Jakarta, Surabaya and Bangkok,...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—For the seventh consecutive year, Ecolab Inc. is ranked within the top 10 on Corporate Responsibility (CR) Magazine’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens list, which recognizes leading U.S. public companies for their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Ecolab ranks seventh on the 2020 Best Corporate Citizens list. “Our 45,000 associates work every day to make the world cleaner, safer and healthier,” said Ecolab Chairman and CEO Douglas M. Baker Jr. “We’re honored to be recognized for our commitment to corporate responsibility within our own operations and our work to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals.” CR Magazine's 100...

HOUSTON—Green Mountain Energy is now offering consumers across the country a convenient way to green-up their lifestyle through monthly and annual carbon offset subscriptions. Consumers can engage quickly through a new website, GreenMountainOffsets.com, and have the option of numerous plans to reduce their carbon footprint by purchasing third-party verified carbon offsets. Green Mountain, the longest serving renewable energy retailer in the country, started its carbon offsets program in 2006. “As a mission-based company, our role is to offer customers products that help them live more sustainably,” said Mark Parsons, Vice President and General Manager for Green Mountain Energy. “Beyond working...

LAS VEGAS—Wynn Resorts issued its 2019 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, providing a comprehensive view of the company’s commitment to responsible business practices, environmental protection, and social impact. Also detailed is Wynn Resorts’ industry-leading response to the COVID-19 pandemic, outlining steps the company took to protect the health and well-being of employees, first responders, medical professionals, and vital nonprofit organizations. The report reflects the strong corporate values and core behaviors that govern Wynn Resorts’ business and guide the company’s commitment to solving complex social responsibility issues facing the hospitality industry. In the report’s forward, Wynn Resorts CEO Matt Maddox...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Ministers from across the Americas have met to map a course for the sustainable growth of the region’s tourism sector, a lifeline for many millions and a key driver of economic growth. Though kept apart physically due to the extraordinary circumstances, the 65th meeting of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Commission for the Americas saw Member States more united than ever in their determination to harness the power of tourism to recover from the economic and social impact of COVID-19 and drive future growth. The second of the UNWTO Regional Commission meetings to be held virtually, the high-level...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Six organizations have come together for the first time to form The Future of Tourism Coalition with the global mission to place destinations at the center of recovery strategies—the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), Destination Stewardship Center, Green Destinations, Sustainable Travel International, Tourism Cares, and the Travel Foundation, with the guidance of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Decades of unfettered growth in travel have put the world’s treasured places at risk—environmentally, culturally, socially, and financially. The travel and tourism industries face a precarious and uncertain future due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, with international tourist numbers projected to...

ATLANTA—UPS announced the company will commemorate World Environment Day on June 5 by matching the carbon offsets of all packages shipped via its carbon neutral program during the month of June. UPS carbon neutral counterbalances the estimated carbon impact of each shipment by purchasing certified carbon offsets. UPS will automatically match all offsets during the month of June. To start shipping more sustainably today, please click here. For more information on UPS’s ongoing sustainability initiatives, visit www.ups.com/sustainability, and stay tuned for the company’s upcoming 18th annual Sustainability Report when it is released on June 30, 2020. Read more here.

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF.—Preferred Hotel Group, Inc.—the family-owned company that manages and operates global travel and hospitality brands including Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Historic Hotels of America, Historic Hotels Worldwide, and PHG Consulting—announced the acquisition of Beyond Green Travel—a world-renowned leader in providing sustainable tourism services and consulting, founded by ecotourism pioneer and global sustainability expert Costas Christ. Finalized on February 4, 2020, this is the first acquisition by the Ueberroth Family since they purchased Preferred Hotel Group, Inc. in March 2004, and represents the next step in CEO Lindsey Ueberroth’s strategic vision to enhance the company’s portfolio in making...