MEXICO CITY—Grupo Vidanta, the leading resort and tourism developer in Mexico and Latin America, continues to set new benchmarks for sustainable, eco-tourism at its beachfront destinations, leading up to the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Since its founding in 1974, Grupo Vidanta has made protecting the environment and natural beauty of Mexico a top priority. “It’s our belief that our practices should serve the greater good and promote a brighter future for generations to come. All of our projects have been designed, built and operated using solutions and socially conscious programs that are ecologically responsible and efficient in reducing impact...

Amanda Davis, the Community Director for Going Solar LLC, recently wrote with some very helpful information on solar rebates and incentives available in the United States. Be sure to check out her company’s resource page. According to Going Solar, solar energy provides positive impacts for the environment and cuts energy costs significantly. Although solar is about 90 percent cheaper than 10 years ago, to promote its continued growth, many states, counties, municipalities and utilities are providing solar tax breaks and financial incentives to make solar more affordable. State solar incentives differ between states and utility providers. Going Solar says...

AMSTERDAM—Green Destinations, organizer of the annual Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards, bookdifferent.com, the leading platform for sustainable accommodations, and Fair Voyage, an innovative sustainable tour operator platform, have launched the Good Travel Alliance to increase visibility for sustainable destinations and make sustainable travel easier for consumers. As purpose-driven organizations, each with a fundamental sustainability mission, the three founding partners of the Good Travel Alliance share the principles of independent third party checks and science-based research to verify sustainability, stay clear of conflicts of interest and provide trustworthy choices for consumers. By using technology as a force for good, connecting...

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—Electrolux, a sustainability leader in the appliance industry, reports a 75 percent reduction in CO2 emissions from its operations since 2005. To reflect the Group’s new commitment to become climate neutral across the supply chain by 2050, and its increasingly holistic approach to sustainability, the overall sustainability framework has also been updated. The reduction of direct and indirect environmental impact is increasingly an important focus area for Electrolux. The 2019 Sustainability Report shows the company’s progress towards its targets in the nine key areas outlined in its sustainability framework For the Better. Read the full report here: www.electroluxgroup.com/sustainabilityreports/2019/. The report...

BAA ATOLL, MALDIVES—Amilla Fushi, Maldives has appointed Victoria Kruse to the newly created position of Sustainability Manager, underlining a major new focus on sustainability and the environment as the new decade begins. Embodying the resort’s vision of becoming a leader and innovator for sustainable tourism in the Maldives, Kruse is already proving an invaluable asset in driving and developing an ambitious program of eco initiatives throughout 2020. Kruse returned to the Maldives in October 2019 after two and half years at Six Senses Fiji, where she was responsible for running the Wellness Kitchen for the newly launched resort. It was during this tenure...

Every single second, more than 30 tourists arrive at their destination worldwide. With more than 1 billion passengers projected to travel in 2020, the effect tourism has on the environment cannot be underestimated. “Sustainability” has been one of the biggest buzz words of the past decade in the industry. Yet, the proliferation of its use is not necessarily a good thing. Like other terms that are often used in marketing to promote some products or services of virtually any company, (e.g. “eco-friendly” or “green”), the word itself has in many instances lost its true meaning. According to the United Nations,...

ST. JOHN, USVI—On Monday of this week, March 30, the U.S. Virgin Islands’ historic “Toxic 3 Os” Sunscreen Ban officially went into effect, making the territory the first in the United States to implement a ban of sunscreen chemicals that are known to destroy coral and cause health risks for people. Similar laws in Hawaii and Key West, Fla. are set to commence in January 2021. The USVI ban bars octinoxate in addition to the chemicals included in Hawaii and Key West legislation (oxybenzone and octocrylene), which ensures safer mineral sunscreens that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are...

NATIONAL REPORT—The drive to net zero is rapidly gathering momentum as more household names from across the business spectrum pledge to play their part in a low carbon future. For many companies, whether they’re coffee retailers, banks or ride-hailing companies, it’s about the steps they’re taking to cut their own emissions to zero. Corporate purchasing of clean energy contracts rose 40 percent last year to 20 gigawatts (GW) according to BloombergNEF, with companies also embracing carbon offsetting schemes and turning to electric vehicles across their delivery fleets. Real estate is equally in focus, with 45 firms now signed up to the Net...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced an array of initiatives intended to support those impacted economically by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including a $1 million crisis and disaster relief pledge into an employee emergency grant fund and donating the equivalent of 400,000 meals across the United States. “As we confront extraordinary events and an unprecedented  global pandemic crisis, we know that this is an extremely challenging and uncertain time for many of our employees, their families, friends and neighbors and we are committed to help those in need,” said Bill Hornbuckle, Acting CEO and President of MGM Resorts International. “We have...

BHUTAN—Less than six months after the opening of the “Traditional Birdwatching Bridge” in Gangtey, Six Senses Bhutan has opened its fifth and final lodge, Six Senses Bumthang. This opening marks the completion of a circuit that will take guests on a journey across the western and central valleys of the Kingdom. As the gateway to the east and the site of some of the country’s earliest settlements, Bumthang is considered as Bhutan’s spiritual heartland and is home to some of its most ancient monasteries and sacred monuments. This region is known for its four valleys, covered in pristine forests and meandering rivers,...