LONDON—The Travalyst coalition, a global partnership founded by The Duke of Sussex together with leading brands Booking.com, Skyscanner, Tripadvisor, Trip.com and Visa, announced the development of draft sustainability frameworks to serve as a cross-channel guide for scoring sustainability practices across the travel and tourism industry. The first three frameworks for accommodation, aviation and experiences are being developed building upon existing standards, with the goal of making them easier to understand for consumers and businesses and implement and scale across the broadest possible range of travel service providers. These frameworks will serve as the foundation for an eventual scoring system that...

SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M.—The Tamaya Horse Rehabilitation Program, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located at the Stables at Tamaya on the Santa Ana Pueblo in New Mexico, announces the third annual Tamaya Horse Rehabilitation Week fundraiser. Between April 1 and April 4, 2020, the program will host a series of activities to bring awareness to the plight of unwanted horses in New Mexico and raise funds for its ongoing efforts to rescue and rehabilitate animals in need. Each year, thousands of horses are abandoned throughout New Mexico. Several factors can lead to unwanted, abandoned, or surrendered horses including a horse’s decline...

SAN IGNACIO, BELIZE—The Lodge at Chaa Creek has just announced the opening of a new group accommodations and meeting venue in a scenic rainforest setting in western Belize. The Belize Rainforest Retreat at Chaa Creek is a new multipurpose rainforest venue for groups looking to stay, meet, work, or just relax in a tranquil jungle environment, the popular Belize eco-resort’s Managing Director announced. “After years of hosting numerous organizations, NGOs, large family celebrations and other gatherings, we recognized a growing need for a facility specifically set aside for groups,” Bryony Fleming Bradley said. The Belize Rainforest Retreat at Chaa Creek grew out...

ST. JOHN, USVI—In a move underscoring Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s commitment to protecting the environment as well as human health, an amendment added to unrelated legislation, Bill 33-0190, extending the deadline from March to July for businesses to clear their shelves of toxic sunscreen was line-item vetoed. “We commend Governor Bryan for upholding the original March date for the ban, which had unanimous senatorial support last summer. We are grateful that he did not bend to special interests but instead put protecting human and coral health first,” said Harith Wickrema, President of Island Green Living Assn. “The governor recently spent...

FORT WASHINGTON, PENN.—More than three in four Americans (77 percent) agree that they would prefer to purchase from brands that prioritize efforts to fight global warming over brands that do not, according to a survey commissioned by Sofidel, a leading global provider of paper for hygienic and domestic use. In addition, more than one in four Americans (27 percent) strongly agreed. The survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll from February 4 to 6, 2020 among 2,031 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. “This research highlights the increasing concern that the public has about our planet and that their purchasing power can make...

CAMBRIDGE, MD.—Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, a waterfront resort located on Chesapeake Bay’s Eastern Shore, has been awarded the Maryland Lodging Association award for Community Service and Sales Professional of the Year, which recognizes local hotels and resorts and their employees. “We are thrilled to be recognized by the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association for our community service and sales efforts,” said Joel Bunde, General Manager at Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina. “We strive to provide the best experience for our guests, as well as give back to our community, and this award...

NATIONAL REPORT—Tempur Sealy International (Tempur, Tempur-Pedic, Sealy featuring Posturepedic Technology, and Stearns & Foster) calls itself the world’s largest bedding provider. Serta Simmons Bedding (Serta, Beautyrest, Simmons, and Tuft & Needle) calls itself North America’s largest bedding manufacturer. Undoubtedly, the U.S. lodging industry gets a significant share of its mattresses and box springs from these companies. Can these companies be considered leaders in sustainability? Green Lodging News reached out to both companies for interviews without success. A Tempur Sealy International representative provided the company’s January 2020 Corporate Social Values report and a Serta Simmons Bedding representative provided a link...

As published in a press release on Green Lodging News, OAG just issued a report entitled, “How Green is Your Airline?” According to the International Council on Clean Transport, aviation accounts for 2.4 percent of global CO2 emissions. With an increasing number of people flying every year, that percentage is not going to go down. “The industry faces the real possibility that it could become a toxic brand within the next decade,” OAG says. The hotel industry of course has a lot at stake if air travel is demonized. One way to address the impact of air travel is through...

INDIAN SHORES, FLA.—Legacy Vacation Resorts has opened its Indian Shores, Fla. property. Located on the intracoastal waters on the gulf coast of Florida, the property offers villa-style accommodations, with studio, one bedroom and two-bedroom configurations­. The newly designed rooms feature a breezy, modern coastal-chic aesthetic. An inviting sun deck and fishing dock are located directly on the water behind the main resort, and a newly enhanced BBQ area and fire pit allows guests to enjoy their very own outdoor cookouts. Boat slips and beach access are found just a short walk away. Over the last four years, the resort has...

LUTON, U.K.—OAG just released a new report, “How Green is Your Airline?”, that explores how the aviation industry is responding to growing momentum for sustainable and environmentally-friendly air travel. “Despite increased traveler interest in sustainability, the nature of the market makes driving real impact complex and difficult,” said John Grant, Senior Analyst with OAG. “Since 2000, the number of aircraft seats has grown at an average annual rate of 3.6 percent while available seat kilometers have increased 4.6 percent. Unfortunately, the positive changes made by airlines and regulators are being outweighed by increases to passenger growth.” OAG’s report provides an in-depth...